Ken Rakusin featured on brushwaremag.com

KEN RAKUSIN: ACQUISITION MAN A decade ago, Gordon Brush Mfg. Company President and CEO Ken Rakusin told Brushware that Gordon’s goal was to become “a dominant player in the brush industry…” En route to achieving that objective, the manufacturer of specialty and custom industrial brushes, based out of City of Industry, Calif., has acquired a dozen brand-name companies that have complemented or diversified Gordon’s product offerings. In totality, these brands under the Gordon umbrella manufacture more than 17,000 standard, specialty and custom brooms and brushes for industrial and commercial applications. That Rakusin would even become a player in the brush industry was far removed from the career path he was on 30 years ago at Xerox in Los Angeles. However, he was looking for a change because he loved LA and loathed the idea of being re-assigned to Xerox headquarters in Rochester, N.Y. Thus, in late 1989, after responding to an ad from Gordon Brush seeking a new president and CEO, he was offered the job. Initially, Rakusin declined the offer, thinking the company was “too small” and “financially struggling” with perhaps six months remaining before going out of business. But “they talked me into it, and thank God they did,” he says in reflecting on a decision that eventually would lead to his building one of the brush industry’s largest manufacturing companies. By Bob Lawrence Founded in 1951 by Don Gordon and purchased by aerospace engineer William Loitz 22 years later, Gordon Brush didn’t begin making acquisitions until after Rakusin, and Loitz’s son, Bill, bought the business in 1998. The first acquisition occurred the following year when Marx Brush, a manufacturer of artist and cosmetic brushes out of New Jersey, was acquired. Three more acquisitions would follow during the Rakusin/Loitz ownership: in 2005: Milwaukee Dustless Brush (Milwaukee, Wisc.), a janitorial and sanitation brush manufacturer; in 2006: JEK Inc. (Diamond Springs, Calif.), a manufacturer of brushes for the printed circuit board industry; and in 2008: Redtree Industries, Inc. (Newark, N.J.), a paint applicator and paintbrush manufacturer and distributor for the marine and hardware industries. Then in 2010, Rakusin became Gordon’s sole owner, setting the stage for a flurry of buys beginning the following year with Glen Ellyn, Illinois based Brush Supply Company, an industrial brush manufacturer. In 2012, he purchased FootMate System, out of Sarasota, Fla., a producer of brush and specially formulated gel for cleaning and massaging feet in the shower or bath. Time Out  A four-year hiatus in acquisitions then occurred while Gordon built its colossal new corporate headquarters and plant in the City of Industry and relocated from its Commerce, Calif., facility in 2016. This enabled the company to initially relocate Milwaukee Dustless Brush and Redtree Industries into the facility. With one exception, all future acquisitions would relocate there as well. That same year, Rakusin ramped up his buying by acquiring StaticFaction (Salem, Mass.), the exclusive authorized North American distributor of Thunderon anti-static properties, and J.B. Ward (Franklin, N.J.), the largest manufacturer of Thunderon brushes used to control static electricity in the electronics industry. In 2017, he acquired paintbrush manufacturer Kirschner Brush Mfg. Company (Bronx, N.Y.). Easy Reach, Inc., a manufacturer of wash brushes, extension handles, injection and foam molded brush blocks and other janitorial products was purchased the following year. Parker Brush, Inc., (Rocklin, Calif.), manufacturer of brushes for the agriculture, food processing and electronics industries was acquired that same year. Gordon’s most recent purchase came in 2019 with Spectrum Paint Applicator Corp., a Newark, N.J., manufacturer of consumer paint brushes, paint rollers and artist brushes. Also in 2019, the last companies that operated in their own facilities—Parker Brush, Kirschner Brush and Spectrum Paint Applicators—were relocated to the corporate plant. In every case except Easy Reach, the businesses Rakusin acquired had operated from leased buildings, and rather than having a number of leased locations around the country, Rakusin says it was “logical to move all of them to our new California location because we had enough space to accommodate them. More importantly, we had newer, faster machinery to manufacture their products.” While those relocated are part of Gordon, they continue to maintain their brand names “for now,” Rakusin says. Easy Reach remains in Hattiesburg because, as Gordon’s largest acquisition, “It made the most sense to not only buy the company but to also buy the building, which houses the operation,” Rakusin explains. “Easy Reach is a great company under excellent management and is located in a beautiful 66,000-square-foot facility with room for large increases in business that will occur either organically or perhaps through acquisition.” How The Acquisitions Occurred Although eight of the 12 acquisitions occurred during Rakusin’s 10 years of sole ownership, to him, it doesn’t seem like he went on a buying spree. As he explains it, “2010 was a year of many personal changes in my life. Subconsciously, perhaps, I was bored and needed new challenges and something exciting on which to focus!” He says that in the beginning, the many acquisitions made proved challenging to himself and the staff. “Once we figured out how to do it in a way that was best for our employees, customers and vendors, I took advantage of most of the opportunities that were presented,” he says. “There were a few that got away, but they must not have been right for me, otherwise I would have figured out how to get them.” Each potential buy was either brought to Rakusin’s attention by the owner, an intermediary or a broker because he never sought out a company to purchase. “Most, but not all of them, had severe financial situations and the owner wanted or needed out. Often times, the owners were dealing for decades with the stress of wondering how they were going to make payroll and pay their vendors.” He says the owners were relieved to have someone take over their business and help their legacies continue. “In other cases, the viable and successful businesses we acquired were sold at healthy premiums, as their businesses were worth it,” he says. ABOVE: Plant manager Ricardo Ruiz with Ken Rakusin MIDDLE: Machine operator Kevin Garcia inspecting the brush dimensions LOWER: Kevin Garcia observing that the machine program is staple setting the bristles properly Valuing The American Brush Manufacturers Association (ABMA) Rakusin says attending ABMA conventions and being involved in the association, including serving on the board of directors for 16 years, directly and indirectly, led to the acquisition of eight of the companies. Serving as its president, 2005-2007, and a member for 30 years, he’s been a “fanatical proponent of ABMA membership and attendance.” That he would become an integral part of the association was unforeseen when he joined Gordon, an ABMA member that had never sent a representative to its conventions until he decided to attend one in Scottsdale, Ariz., in March 1990, just six weeks after his employment began and even though he worried whether the financially-troubled company could even afford the air travel, hotel and his taking time off to attend. As he recalls, “I was afraid to go because I was naive and didn’t know anything about the industry or anyone in it. What I saw there were very powerful and impressive people. I was wowed by all the knowledgeable people I met, and the networking opportunities were like nothing I could ever have imagined.”  Early in his ascendency in the association, he became disgruntled with the prior management firm’s inactivity to adhere to the board’s directives while it annually sought massive fee increases. Investigating, he discovered that ABMA “could save tens of thousands of dollars, become more efficient and get things done to benefit the membership.” As a result, former member David Parr won the bid to take over the association as executive director, “leading to its solvency and growth.” Rakusin believes his involvement, which led to the majority of his acquisitions, is proof of one of the potential benefits of being a participating member. “As I reflect over time, I did not plan on buying these businesses; the deals just continued to fall into place,” he says.  He explains that the first acquisition, Marx Brush, only happened because he was in the New York metro area for a couple of days before he went to Chicago for an ABMA board meeting. “While in town, I visited 10- 12 brush companies, met people whom I did not know and bought Marx,” he says “Nothing was planned, but if not for the ABMA board meeting, I would have flown home with my family and missed the opportunity.” Rakusin adds that the only reason he purchased Marx was because it was “a great deal.” He says it turned out to be an amazing acquisition because of the timing, as it was purchased a couple of years before a significant recession dampened the United States economy. “The Marx business, as well as subsequent products that we made for its customers, generated a significant amount of revenue for Gordon,” Rakusin says. “This helped to rapidly pull us out of the effects of the recession.” Rakusin’s connections within the association led to other acquisitions including Easy Reach, which two ABMA vendor friends told him about, one saying it was for sale, the other telling him about its “excellent management team.” Longtime relationships forged through the association have also created opportunities for Gordon’s growth. When StaticFaction’s Ian Moss, a Rakusin friend for nearly 30 years, and Ed Boscia of J. B. Ward, a friend for 25 plus years, were ready to sell their successful companies, Rakusin was ready to buy. The deal with StaticFaction actually occurred at an ABMA meeting in St. Petersburg, Fla., while he and Moss were sitting in chairs on the front lawn of the Renaissance Vinoy. “Once again, the value of my involvement with the ABMA cannot be understated,” Rakusin says. Why Others Sold And Why Gordon Bought “The main reasons that companies have sold their businesses to us is because the owners have wanted to retire and eliminate all the normal business issues including personnel, finances and the investments required to remain on the leading edge and competitive,” Rakusin says. “At Gordon Brush, we are always looking to make investments in acquisitions and machinery.” He says the company is well-capitalized and knows that personnel issues are solvable. “I also believe that the owners sought out working with Gordon Brush not just because we had the ability to buy them, but also because they were able to see the longevity and high standards of our company. I feel honored that they entrusted us to continue the legacy they had built,” he says. Rakusin adds that Gordon Brush has a proven track record of acquiring businesses and maintaining all the good things they were doing on their own and then improving. “Over my 30 years in the business, I have never sold anything, only acquired other companies,” Rakusin says. “My heart is in building and running an American brush manufacturing business, not as an investor where I’m looking to increase my profits by going overseas, but by maintaining the quality and standards of American manufactured products, as well as keeping jobs here in America.” He says that by making large investments in machinery, Gordon Brush is able to make products better and faster. “I can assure you that we have been able to craft even better-quality products than the prior provider,” he says. Asked if any of Gordon’s other company purchases were of a similar nature to J.B. Ward and StaticFaction in that they were acquired to complement each other, Rakusin replies that “purchasing Marx in 1999 propelled Gordon Brush into the artist brush business and buying Redtree in 2008 moved us into the paint applicator business.” The Kirschner and Spectrum acquisitions created synergy for the artist and paintbrush manufacturing. “We have become more skilled at making both types of product lines, as our volume is now much greater,” he says. “Acquiring JEK, Brush Supply, J. B. Ward and Parker Brush have all improved the custom brush portion of our business, which integrates very nicely with the custom work we already produce at Gordon Brush.” When exploring a company for potential acquisition, Rakusin begins by looking at its brand, product line, how long it’s been in business and its perceived reputation. “I then spend a significant amount of time understanding their financial position. I’m always open-minded when I first learn about a company, but as I explore the details, there are times when I have decided to pass on the acquisition for a variety of reasons. Sometimes the timing isn’t right, the seller might want a premium that is too high or perhaps I can’t see a road to profitability. Having stated these things, I still try my best to make a deal that will be a win-win.” An “American Made” Champion Paramount in Rakusin’s promotion of the Gordon companies is his strong belief that the US should manufacture products for home consumption on its own soil. As he puts it, “We are determined to build and grow our business in the United States.” This is opposite of the thinking of droves of companies that years ago abandoned America for cheap labor offshore. In explaining his philosophy. Rakusin says, “Without getting too political, I have always valued making products in America.” He explains that his companies are financially successful, and he values the employees, many having worked for Gordon for 30-40, or more, years. “These team members have given their lives to helping Gordon Brush grow and become successful. I make a reasonable amount of money, and being selfless, I enjoy doing things for others, whether it is for my employees, personal friends, other ABMA member suppliers or other brush companies,” he says.  He says that making more money at the expense of terminating the workforce is not something he would ever be willing to do. “Having an extensive inventory and making things in the USA also allows us to be nimble and supply our customers quickly, especially compared to Asia,” he says. “I am proud that over my 30 years in the business, Gordon Brush has been able to have dramatic success AND still manufacture almost everything here in California.” He also says that as the demand for American-made products increases, “Gordon is proud to be at the forefront of that movement,” an indication that Rakusin believes demand for American-made products will spark a return of manufacturing to the US. “In my opinion,” Rakusin says, “I hope that our experience with COVID-19 and our inability to source critical PPE here in the US have shown the value of American-made products and will lead the effort to move more manufacturing back to the United States.” He says that whether or not it happens, Gordon Brush will continue to invest in machinery so it can continue to grow the business domestically.  A Dominant Player? In the opening paragraph of this article, Rakusin was quoted as stating that Gordon’s goal was to become “a dominant player in the brush industry…” Asked if his company is there yet, Rakusin replies, “Gordon Brush will never be where we want to be as the bar keeps getting higher. Warren Buffett was the wealthiest person in the world, then along came Bill Gates, Bernard Arnault and now it’s Jeff Bezos. One learns over time that we are always in between. No matter how successful one becomes, there is always someone/something doing better. However, we will keep marching forward. We are proud of what we have achieved compared to where we have come from. I look forward to seeing what lies ahead.” Given that the latest of the continuous string of acquisitions, Parker Brush, Inc. and Spectrum Paint Applicator Corp., occurred in 2019, Brushware wanted to know whether another acquisition announcement might come before the end of this year. Rakusin’s reply: “This is a tough question to answer because I’ve learned to never pre-announce what might happen. Let me close by stating that anything is possible as we continue to look for growth.” -BRM

Spotlight on US Manufacturing – Gordon Brush Co

AS FEATURED ON: BuyDirectUSA.com
https://www.buydirectusa.com/spotlight-on-us-manufacturing-gordon-brush-co/

Gordon Brush of Industry California and the makers of the Footmate® Personal Foot Spa and so much more launched in 1951.

The White House over the past several years has had a spotlight on US manufacturers from every state, but they have limitations on the number of people who can attend and with the pandemic there is no telling what the future holds for the event.

Gordon Brush makes an awesome consumer product called the Footmate® system. It’s a personal foot massager that helps make your dry cracked feet soft and relaxed. I have personally tried it and it’s simple to use and it is effective. Best of all its made in the USA by American workers who take pride in what they do.

As a matter of fact, the highly popular Footmate® works so well, that several companies decided they should make something similar and start marketing on websites like Amazon and others.  While the Footmate® Personal Foot Spa is made in the USA, the copycats were all made in China.

I personally found several of the copycats on Amazon and alerted my contact at Gordon Brush. There was even a version of it being sold on late night TV commercials. Trying to alert Amazon to an issue is like trying to be spotted in the ocean while wearing blue. There is some advice on getting those violating intellectual property rights on this Amazon forum, but even there the users are frustrated with the amount of time it takes to get a response.

The Chinese knockoffs are still being sold on Amazon. Any novice can take a look at them and see they are nearly identical in design. They also sell at less than what it costs to make the American Made Footmate®. Consumers can complain to Amazon via reviews

This makes it a challenge, but the hard working men and women at Gordon Brush remain steadfast at putting out quality products and strive to beat down the copycats with quality products and superb customer service.

The folks at Gordon Brush not only make the Footmate®, but they make more than 17,000 kinds of brushes for nearly every industry in their 183,000 square feet manufacturing facility. They strive to make every piece with the highest of care and quality even when they are producing 50,000 to 100,000 pieces a day. The majority of their products are made for various industries and if you need a specialty made brush, contact them, they can most likely produce it.

They don’t just stick to what they have in their catalogue, if a new type of brush is needed for other applications, they will produce it as well.

Gordon Brush is proud of their American Made products and one of their best customers is the US military. Their American made products have helped save the military millions of dollars over the years. Something all American taxpayers are happy about.

Our hats off to the hard working men and women of Gordon Brush from the main office to the manufacturing floor, to the customer service reps. Thank you for making great products in the USA.

Spotlight on American Manufacturing is an ongoing series showcasing the hard working men and women of American Manufacturing.

Our President & CEO, Ken Rakusin was the recipient of the PATRIOT AWARD at the 2019 MADE IN AMERICA CONVENTION

Brad Winnings, COO Made In America, Kenneth Rakusin, President and CEO Gordon Brush receiving the Made In America 2019 American Patriot Award, Don Buckner, CEO and Founder Made In America.

CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA – Ken Rakusin, President & CEO of Gordon Brush Mfg. Co., Inc. was the recipient of the PATRIOT AWARD at the 2019 MADE IN AMERICA CONVENTION, that was held at the Indianapolis, Indiana convention center on October 3-6. "This award was presented to Ken for his Proud To Be An American™ attitude and his unwavering commitment to manufacturing in the United States, in-spite of the infiltration of low cost, inferior Chinese goods", said Don Buckner, founder, MadeInAmerica.com.

In addition, Buckner presented Gordon Brush^® with the ARMED FORCES AWARD and commented, "On behalf of Made In America .com we commend you for your patriotism and extraordinary efforts in developing the "Chamber" brush, for the Abrams tank, that saved the United States Army, $1.5 Billion."

"I am overwhelmed, honored, and deeply humbled to receive these two prestigious awards. My goal was to make a difference for our employees, our customers, and our country. I guess we achieved that", said Rakusin.

"I want to thank Don and his team for recognizing our accomplishments. Gordon Brush is Proud To Be An American Manufacturer™ and a GOLD sponsor of the 2019 MADE IN AMERICA convention", added Rakusin. 

# # #

About Made In America .com

Made in America .com is a non-partisan, private company whose mission is to raise awareness for the economic, environmental and community impact of American-made manufacturers and brands.

Over 300 companies showcased their American manufacturing capabilities and American made products at the inaugural Made In America convention. Speakers included: Michael Lindell from My Pillow; former NASCAR driver, Darrell Waltrip; Indianapolis Mayor, Joe Hogsett; and Congressman, Daniel Webster. 

About Gordon Brush^®

Gordon Brush Mfg. Co., Inc., has a rich history as an American brush manufacturer. Founded in 1951, Gordon Brush^® includes two brands whose origin dates to 1855 and 1897. The Company is ISO 9001:2015 certified and a leading manufacturer of specialty, custom and standard brushes for a multitude of industries. 

Gordon Brush^® was the 2018 recipient of the Made: In America Award. The award was presented in a ceremony in the Rayburn Office building rotunda, in Washington, D.C., in July, 2018. Congresswoman Grace Napolitano (CA-32), also presented the Company's President and CEO, Ken Rakusin, with a special Congressional Recognition Award for his commitment to American manufacturing. Mr. Rakusin was also honored as an American Made Hero.

A Sweeping Success Story

CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA -- by By Graeme Golucki of ISSA.com In 2018, Gordon Brush Mfg. Co., Inc. was named the recipient of the MADE: In America Award™. Gordon Brush® was one of only four winners of the annual award, which recognizes outstanding achievements by an American manufacturing company. The award was bestowed on the heels of the company receiving a Certificate of Congressional Recognition as part of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Make It In America initiative. The House established the program in 2010 to encourage private sector job creation nationwide. Not only did Gordon Brush receive national recognition for its participation in the program, U.S. Representative Grace Napolitano (D-CA) and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) visited its 183,000-square-foot manufacturing complex in the City of Industry, CA, to personally bestow the honor upon the company for actively promoting the American manufacturing industry.

These two honors are the culmination of Gordon Brush’s decades of developing and producing premium quality American made brushes and brooms. Though the company was established in the 1950s, its product portfolio includes brands whose history dates as far back as the 1800s.  Ken Rakusin, President & CEO of Gordon Brush, holding a Congressional Recognition Certificate.

Gordon Brush was founded by Don Gordon (hence the name) and experienced moderate success manufacturing specialty brushes during the next few decades. In 1973, aerospace engineer William Loitz purchased the company from Gordon. Loitz maintained the company’s steady growth for the next 15 years or so. Faced with a bit of a rough patch, Loitz brought in Ken Rakusin to help right the ship. Rakusin previously had a successful career with Xerox; he immediately began turning the company around and eventually purchasing the company in 1998.

Gordon Brush began making a series of acquisitions that set the company on a pathway to prosperity.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (green tie), flanked by Rakusin and Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, meets with the Gordon Brush staff.

Historic acquisitions

Under Rakusin’s leadership, Gordon Brush began making a series of acquisitions that set the company on a pathway to prosperity, starting with the purchase of the Marx Brush line of artist and cosmetic brushes in 1999. Six years later, Gordon Brush purchased Milwaukee Dustless Brush, a janitorial and sanitation brush manufacturer that had been in business since the 1890s. “Milwaukee Dustless Brush was established in 1897 as the name implies, in Milwaukee, WI,” said Alan Schechter, vice president of marketing for Gordon Brush. “Milwaukee Dustless was one of the earliest, if not the first, manufacturers of commercial cleaning tools. It made a name for itself with a steel-backed brush head that featured an external socket with nearly infinite positions, something that to this day remains unique in the industry. While today it is now a part of Gordon Brush, we kept the brand name, because anyone in the industry who hasn’t been under a rock—or a brush— knows the Milwaukee Dustless name.”

Confronting challenges

Gordon Brush did not slow down after its acquisition of Milwaukee Dustless. The company continued to expand its product offerings through numerous acquisitions of specialty brush manufacturers. Earlier this year, the company purchased Spectrum Paint Applicator Corp., an American manufacturer of consumer paint brushes, paint rollers, and artist brushes, that wasfounded in 1945. And while the quantity of Gordon Brush’s equipment portfolio continued to grow through the years, one thing that did not shrink was the company’s commitment to quality.  “While other manufacturers may have consolidated, Gordon Brush has been able to thrive by delivering a premium line of durable products,” Schechter said. “On a daily basis, it feels as if we’re in a battle against low-cost, knockoff, and counterfeit manufacturers. This is one of the biggest challenges facing not just Gordon Brush, but the entire industry. We will never apologize for producing high-quality products or having premium pricing. We’re proud of the fact that at the end of the day, our customers receive a product they can be proud of and that can do the job for which it is intended for a long, long time.” According to Rakusin, not only is Gordon Brush committed to producing quality products, the company is also loyal to the people manufacturing these products. That employee loyalty is reciprocal and another crucial factor to the company’s continued success. “One of the reasons we’re so committed to remaining a U.S.-based manufacturer is our people,” Rakusin said. “There are employees both on our factory floor and in our administrative offices that have been here for more than four decades. Today, we’re the home-awayfrom-home for more than 150 workers. Some of these employees even have [now adult] children who have come to work for us. We joke that eventually we’re going to start employing workers’ grandchildren when they’re old enough. We endeavor ourselves to be extremely family oriented and that sense of communion has developed a great sense of pride in the products we manufacturer.”

Showing up at the show

In addition to quality products and a commitment to its employees, Schechter also credits Gordon Brush’s relationship with ISSA throughout the years as another rung on the company’s ladder of success. Gordon Brush is currently celebrating its 60th year as an ISSA member.  “It’s very simple; ISSA is the major trade organization of the industry,” Schechter said. “It’s a fantastic source of knowledge for everything impacting the janitorial industry, a great source for keeping up on current trends. We absolutely love the annual show (ISSA Show North America). Our employees relish the opportunity to attend and see old friends, our customers, and even our competitors. Even though we’ve been around for six decades, it is still important for Gordon Brush to have a presence at the show and be seen by the industry.” Schechter also is quick to point out that the ISSA Show is more than the show floor itself. “As exciting as working the booth can be, I have to say the keynote speakers have been phenomenal lately,” he said. “Howie Mandel was so funny a few years ago in [Las Vegas], I couldn’t stop laughing. And last year in Dallas, I was completely in awe of President George W. Bush. It was almost unbelievable to be not just in the same room as him, but at arm’s length from a former president as he delivered a phenomenal fireside chat. And there’s others through the years—boxer Sugar Ray Leonard, Kevin O’Leary from Shark Tank, the list goes on. ISSA goes above and beyond to make it a week to experience.”

Looking ahead

Although Gordon Brush has had a series of successes recently, Schechter is empathetic to many of the issues facing the cleaning industry today. “I do find it disturbing that many of the mom-and-pop type smaller manufacturers and distributors are going by the wayside, either being bought up or shutting their doors,” he said. “Consolidation has made it so the jansan world in some ways is no longer a cottage industry. Plus, the challenges of cheaper, lesser quality products have made it tougher to be competitive. But as long as we continue to be committed to employing quality people and manufacturing superior products, I have no doubt Gordon Brush will continue to thrive. Consumers will find that the bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low prices has been forgotten.”  Complete article available at: http://issatoday.issa.com/?issueID=51&pageID=28

Gordon Brush, Made in America Interview

Gordon Brush® is one of the largest manufacturers of custom brushes in the world. They design brushes for a wide range of applications, from surgical procedures to cleaning equipment for the U.S. Military. Even under competitive threats, Gordon Brush stays committed to manufacturing in the U.S.

In this interview, Alan Schechter, Vice President, discusses Gordon Brush’s growing brand and marketing strategies.

Why You Should Buy American Made Products
by Alan Schechter

There are many reasons to buy American made products: click the link below to read the complete interview and the reasons to buy American made products.

https://madeinamerica.com/gordon-brush/

Gordon Brush® featured in Paint Square publications

Gordon Brush Mfg. Co., Inc. (Industry, California) announced in an emailed press release late last week that it has acquired manufacturing company Spectrum Paint Applicator Corp. (Newark, New Jersey) in a move that aims to expand Gordon’s presence in the paint brush world.

Founded in 1945, Spectrum has manufactured industrial and consumer paint brushes, as well as paint rollers and artist brushes.

Gordon Brush Mfg. Co. (Industry, California) announced in an emailed press release
late last week that it has acquired manufacturing company Spectrum Paint
Applicator Corp. (Newark, New Jersey) in a move that aims to expand
Gordon’s presence in the paint brush world, according to the company.

"It’s time for us to step aside so that the Company can continue to grow,” said Arthur Edelson, Spectrum CEO.

“We felt that Gordon Brush was the best fit to take Spectrum Brush to the next level, to continue our family tradition of individualized customer service, and to best manufacture our line of American made consumer, professional and industrial paint applicators."

As part of the deal (the financial terms of which have not been disclosed), Spectrum’s manufacturing and operations will be relocated and incorporated into Gordon’s 183,000-square-foot facility in California.

"The acquisition of Spectrum Brush, our twelfth acquisition, consolidates Gordon Brush's reach in the paint brush category,” said Ken Rakusin, President and CEO of Gordon.

“Spectrum Brush will add to our stable of other acquired paint and artist brush companies. … The Spectrum Brush acquisition dramatically enhances our scale, product offerings, and geographic reach—creating new synergies that better position us for future growth and investment in new and existing markets."

View Original Publication at https://www.paintsquare.com/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=view&id=20789

Gordon Brush Mfg. Co. featured in AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY Magazine

Launch Full Magazine - [click here]

GORDON BRUSH MFG. CO. ACQUIRES SPECTRUM PAINT APPLICATOR CORP.

Date: 2019-03-15

CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA -- Gordon Brush Mfg. Co., Inc. has acquired the assets of Kirschner Brush Mfg. Company, located in Bronx, New York.

CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA -- Gordon Brush Mfg. Co., Inc. has acquired Spectrum Paint Applicator Corp., located in Newark, New Jersey. The Company's manufacturing and operations will be relocated and incorporated into Gordon Brush's 183,000 sq. ft., City of Industry, CA manufacturing facility.

Since 1945, Spectrum Brush has manufactured industrial and consumer paint brushes, paint rollers and artist brushes. Arthur Edelson, Spectrum's CEO, explains, "It’s time for us to step aside so that the Company can continue to grow. We felt that Gordon Brush® was the best fit to take Spectrum Brush to the next level, to continue our family tradition of individualized customer service, and to best manufacture our line of American made consumer, professional, and industrial paint applicators."

Ken Rakusin, President and CEO of Gordon Brush notes, "The acquisition of Spectrum Brush, our twelfth acquisition, consolidates Gordon Brush's reach in the paint brush category. Spectrum Brush will add to our stable of other acquired paint and artist brush companies. These include: Redtree Industries and Kirschner Brush in the paint brush and roller sector and Marx Brush in the artist brush sector. The Spectrum Brush acquisition dramatically enhances our scale, product offerings, and geographic reach — creating new synergies that better position us for future growth and investment in new and existing markets."

"It's another perfect fit for Gordon Brush® that ties into its mantra of being, Proud To Be An American Manufacturer™. This acquisition enhances the global product offering of Gordon Brush's line of paint and artist brushes and opens up new avenues for the manufacture of custom paint and artist brush products. As the demand for American made products increases, we are proud to be at the forefront of that movement."

Gordon Brush Mfg. Co. featured in Paint & Decorating Retailer Magazine

California-based Gordon Brush Mfg. Co. Inc. has acquired Parker Brush Inc. Parker Brush’s manufacturing and operations will be relocated and folded into Gordon Brush’s 183,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, which is located in City of Industry, California.

Since 1959, Parker Brush has manufactured stock and custom brushes for the agriculture, food processing and electronics industries.

“We felt that Gordon Brush was the best fit to take Parker Brush to the next level, to continue our family tradition of individualized customer service, and to best manufacture our line of American-made brushes,” says founder and former CEO of Parker Brush Melody Orenchuk.

Ken Rakusin, president and CEO of Gordon Brush, says the acquisition will allow the company to reach new heights.

“The Parker Brush acquisition dramatically enhances our scale, product offerings and geographic reach— creating new synergies that better position us for future growth and investment in new and existing markets,” he says.

Established in 1951, Gordon Brush currently fabricates more than 2,000 types of brushes, including brass, nylon and natural-bristle brushes.

Milwaukee Dustless Brush worked with Dairy Queen® to create an 8 foot long metal-free brush that could clean hard-to-reach areas on the inside of Dairy Queen’s® ice cream machines’ dispensing heads.

To clean the ice cream machines, the custom-made brush was snaked up into the orifice of the dispensing head and shimmied around to remove any build-up. It was important that the brush meet the strict FDA hygienic standards for food preparation and consumer safety. Our design team at Milwaukee Dustless Brush chose metal-free bristles since they alleviated the risk posed by any wire bristle-breakage in the machines. In addition, the metal-free bristles did not damage the surface of the ice cream dispensing heads, helping to maintain the finish and prolong the longevity of the Dairy Queen® ice cream machines.

Applauded as American Made Hero of the week!

Ken Rakusin, CEO of Gordon Brush applauded as American Made Hero of the week!

Celebrating products made in America

Heavy Metal, the journalist, tries to stay as objective as possible when it comes to international business. You won't get fake news about plastics from Heavy Metal!

But in my personal life, I try to buy American-made products whenever possible. I look at labels. Study those country-of-origin numbers listed on the stickers of new cars. Heavy Metal buys U.S.-made shoes, except for those cheap tennis shoes for cutting the grass. Heavy Metal tries — sadly, now mostly in vain — to purchase U.S.-made underwear. (OK, maybe this is TMI.)

That's why this edition of Heavy Metal is pleased to take you to Gordon Brush Manufacturing Co. Inc. in City of Industry, Calif. On June 28, the company became the 2018 winner of the Made: In America Award from the Washington-based group of the same name.

The nonprofit group tries to increase public awareness and educate Americans about the importance of a strong U.S. manufacturing base.

Gordon Brush President and CEO Ken Rakusin called winning the award "an amazing honor and accomplishment" for the company.

"Even under competitive threats, the company has been steadfast in its philosophy and commitment to manufacturing in the United States," Rakusin said. "In spite of many issues, I was determined to build and grow my business in the United States by reinvesting profits into the purchase of millions of dollars in manufacturing equipment and machinery. Pride in contributing to the American economy is near and dear to my heart."

Another honor came on Aug. 30 when U.S. Rep. Grace Napolitano presented Rakusin and employees of Gordon Brush a Certificate of Congressional Recognition at a ceremony at the company's 183,000-square-foot headquarters plant.

Gordon Brush, founded in 1951, is a major manufacturer of all kinds of brushes and mops for markets such as janitorial, medical, electronics, manufacturing, military, art, aerospace and pharmaceutical. Think brushes are mundane? Gordon Brush has made brushes for the U.S. Army to clear the main gun on Abrams tanks!

It makes more than 17,000 brushes and brooms. And it can design specialty brushes. Metal. Wood. And yes plastic, including structural foam and injection brush blocks and handles. Plastics applications include antistatic brushes, bore brushes, and brushes for clean room use.

According to the company's website, Gordon Brush was founded by Don Gordon. In 1973, aerospace engineer William Loitz bought the company. In 1990, Rakusin left a career at Xerox to run Gordon Brush, and he later bought into the company. Rakusin bought Loitz's interest in the brush manufacturer in 2010.

Gordon Brush has grown organically and made a series of acquisitions over the years, steadily expanding its reach into new markets. A notable one for the plastics industry came earlier this year when Gordon Brush bought Easy Reach Supply LLC, in Hattiesburg, Miss., an American manufacturer of wash brushes, extension handles, injection and foam molded brush blocks and other janitorial products.

Alan Schechter, vice president of sales and marketing, said the Hattiesburg plant brought injection molding to Gordon Brush. Before buying Easy Reach, the company used U.S. customer molders — and still does for some products, he said.

The Made: In America Award is front and center on Gordon Brush's website. "We promote very heavily our American heritage," Schechter said.

Heavy Metal salutes Gordon Brush. May your brushes always be American-made!

Maybe in a future blog I will tell the story of trying to buy an American flag but only finding U.S. flags made in China. There was a loud rant, right in the store. Of course, there needs to be a plastics angle to merit a blog in Plastics News. Even if your name is … Heavy Metal.

Bill Bregar is author of the Heavy Metal blog and a senior reporter for Plastics News. Follow him on Twitter @MachineryBeat25.

Bill Bregar – Bregar had five years of daily newspaper reporting experience and had been an assistant editor of Restaurant Management magazine before joining Plastics News as a reporter prior to the publication's launch in 1989. A 1983 journalism graduate of Ohio University, he was promoted to senior reporter in January 1996. Follow on Twitter @Machinerybeat25

Gordon Brush committed to remaining an American manufacturer

Roberto Valenzuela,70, assembles brushes at Gordon Brush Manufacturing Co. Inc. in City of Industry. The business is a leading manufacturer of specialty, custom, and standard brushes for industrial, commercial, and consumer purposes. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, San Gabriel Valley Tribune/ SCNG)

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Gordon Brush had plenty of chances to leave.

The City of Industry-based maker of brushes for industrial, commercial and consumer use has been actively recruited by several states over the years. The company had a private meeting with the governor of Arizona and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry (now the nation’s secretary of energy) also expressed interest.

But despite those offers — and an increasingly global market that has prompted scores of U.S. companies to shift their operations elsewhere where labor is cheaper — Gordon Brush has stayed put. For 67 years.

That commitment to remaining an American manufacturer has not been lost on Rep. Grace Napolitano, D-El Monte. She stopped by the 183,000-square foot manufacturing complex in late August to present President and CEO Ken Rakusin with a certificate of congressional recognition.

Sample brushes manufactured at Gordon Brush Manufacturing Co. Inc. in City of Industry are shown here. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, San Gabriel Valley Tribune/ SCNG)

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American Commitment

“We salute his ongoing commitment to manufacturing products in the San Gabriel Valley, which supports local jobs and benefits other businesses in our region and beyond,” Napolitano said in a statement. “This well-deserved honor recognizes his extraordinary efforts to promote American-made goods and preserve the economic health of our nation.”

Rakusin said his business philosophy stems from his loyalty to country and his employees.

“Gordon Brush is proud to be an American manufacturer and has been steadfast in its commitment to manufacturing in the United States, even under competitive threats,” he said. “All of this could not have been possible without my valued, long-tenured, skilled employees.”

Founded in 1951, Gordon Brush Manufacturing Co. Inc. includes two product brands that date back to the mid- to late 1800s. The company, at 3737 Capital Ave., employs 150 full-time workers. Some have been with the business for more than 40 years.

Rep. Grace Napolitano, D-El Monte, meets with Ken Rakusin, president and CEO of Gordon Brush Manufacturing Co. Inc. in City of Industry.

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Lots of brushes

The specialty manufacturer makes more than 17,000 types of brushes used in the aerospace, medical, electronics, janitorial, military, aerospace and pharmaceutical industries.

Duster brushes, strip brushes, bore brushes, detail brushes, flow-thru brushes … the list is long. And along the way, Gordon Brush has amassed a roster of clients that includes Boeing, McMaster-Carr, Motion Industries and Techni-Tool, among others.

“Fifty percent of our business is in custom brushes,” said Alan Schechter, the company’s vice president of sales and marketing. “We’ve made brushes for the Apache helicopter and the lunar landing.”

At the other end of the spectrum, one of the company’s more popular products is the consumer-oriented FootMate System. The unit includes a set of brushes that are attached to a rubber base lined with small suction cups. The FootMate can be placed on the floor of a shower stall or bathroom. After a gel is applied, users can rub their feet back and forth through the brushes, which massage tender areas of the foot and remove dead skin.

Steel Tariffs

Schechter said the company is doing well, although it has been negatively impacted by the Trump administration’s 25 percent tariff on imported steel.

“Our costs have gone up as a result of the tariff,” he said. “I’ll leave it to the political powers to figure out where the balance is for the U.S. manufacturing community … where we can buy materials in a way that doesn’t put us out of business.”

By KEVIN SMITH | kvsmith@scng.com | San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Kevin Smith handles business news and editing for the Southern California News Group, which includes 11 newspapers, websites and social media channels. He covers everything from employment, technology and housing to retail, corporate mergers and business-based apps. Kevin often writes stories that highlight the local impact of trends occurring nationwide. And the focus is always to shed light on why those issues matter to readers in Southern California.