Gordon Brush Mfg. Co., Inc., acquires Mr. LongArm®

 

Gordon Brush Mfg. Co. Acquires Mr. LongArm® CITY OF INDUSTRY, California, February 28, 2025--Gordon Brush® Mfg. Co., Inc. announced today that it has acquired the assets of Mr. LongArm® a leader in the design and manufacturing of telescoping extension poles and accessories for over 67 years. Located near Kansas City in Greenwood, Missouri, Mr. LongArm will continue to operate in the company's existing manufacturing facilities. This transition will enable Mr. Longarm to flourish under new ownership and the sale, which has been carefully planned, ensures a seamless transition for employees, customers, and business partners.   Dere Newman, CEO and Maureen Newman, Senior VP of Mr. LongArm, share, "We believe Gordon Brush is the perfect partner to take Mr. LongArm to the next level, and flourish under new ownership.” Newman family owners, Jeb, Leigh, Melissa, Maureen and Dere Newman chorused, “We are confident that this transition will bring new opportunities for success while reinforcing Mr. LongArm’s leadership in the markets it serves." Ken Rakusin, President of Gordon Brush, states, "This is our 16th acquisition, and the addition of Mr. LongArm strengthens and complements our already impressive portfolio of companies, including Marx Brush, Milwaukee Dustless Brush, JEK, Redtree Industries, Brush Supply, StaticFaction, J. B. Ward, Kirschner Brush, Easy Reach Supply, Spectrum Paint Applicators, Parker Brush, Justman Brush, Michigan Brush, and Dorden Squeegees. This acquisition significantly boosts our scale, product range, and geographic reach, creating synergies that position us for continued growth and future investments in both new and existing markets. As the demand for American-made products grows, we are proud to lead the way." To learn more, visit www.gordonbrush.com and www.mrlongarm.com # # # About Gordon Brush Mfg. Co., Inc. Gordon Brush Mfg. Co., Inc., is an ISO 9001:2015 certified American manufacturer of brooms and brushes. Established in 1951, Gordon Brush® has a rich history as a proud American brush manufacturer and includes two brands whose origin dates to 1855 and 1897. All told, the Company is comprised of ten brands. Gordon Brush® manufactures the FootMate® System and over 19,000 standard and custom brushes, selling to a multitude of industries including: janitorial, medical, electronics, manufacturing, military, aerospace, and pharmaceutical in its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in the City of Industry, CA, plus other plants in Hattiesburg, MS, Omaha, NE and now in Greenwood, MO. Contact: Kim Johnstun Gordon Brush Mfg. Co., Inc. 3737 Capitol Avenue, City of Industry, CA 90601 USA (323) 338-7455 kjohnstun@gordonbrush.com www.gordonbrush.com

An Update from Ken Rakusin Amid California’s Wildfires

 

A Story of Resilience and Hope

As we shared yesterday, the California wildfires have deeply impacted our Gordon Brush family. Today, we want to provide you with an update on our CEO, Ken Rakusin, and his family’s journey through this challenging time.

Ken recently participated in a second interview with ABC News, which offers an even more personal look at their experience. In this interview, you can see the raw emotions as Ken responds to a question about not having insurance.

Watch the ABC News Interview Here

Despite the uncertainty and hardship, there is some incredible news to share: Ken’s wife, Tricia, displayed remarkable courage and determination. She had to hide and evade police roadblocks but ultimately reached their home. While the house sustained damage, it is still standing.

Photos and videos of the aftermath have been turned into a short slideshow that tells the complete story of our journey—from our eyes.

Through it all, the Rakusin family’s strength and resilience inspire us, and we’re reminded of the importance of community and support during such times.

Thank you for standing with us and the Rakusin family.

Warm regards,

Gordon Brush Mfg. Co., Inc.

A Personal Update from the Gordon Brush Family

Our CEO’s Story Amid California’s Wildfires

Dear Valued Customers, Vendors and Friends,

We hope this message finds you safe and well.

You’ve likely seen the devastating wildfires that have swept through the Los Angeles area this week. These fires have affected countless lives, including members of our Gordon Brush family. Our CEO, Ken Rakusin, his wife, and their family, who reside in Pacific Palisades, have been directly impacted.

While navigating these challenging times, Ken and his family have demonstrated incredible resilience. Their story was recently featured on ABC News, shedding light on the human toll of these fires and offering a powerful glimpse into their personal experience.

We invite you to watch the interview and join us in keeping the Rakusin family, along with everyone affected by the fires, in your thoughts during this difficult time.

Click here to watch the interview on ABC News.

At Gordon Brush, we remain committed to serving you and supporting each other as a family – no matter the challenges we face.

Thank you for your continued support.

Warm regards,

Gordon Brush Mfg. Co., Inc.