Gordon Brush Mfg. Co., Inc., To Host Congresswoman Napolitano And Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer

Date: 2016-08-23

CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA - Gordon Brush Mfg. Co., Inc., will host Congresswoman Grace Napolitano and House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer at their 183,000 square foot manufacturing complex in the City of Industry, CA, on Friday, August 26, 2016, from 1:00-4:00 PM.

"Gordon Brush is honored to have Congresswoman Napolitano and Democratic Whip Hoyer tour our facility," says Gordon Brush's President and CEO, Ken Rakusin.  "We are thrilled that they share our commitment to United States manufacturing and organizations promoting American manufacturing and American-made goods."

Launched by House Democrats in 2010, the Make It In America plan was created to encourage private sector job creation in the U.S. Over the past six years, seventeen Make It In America bills have been signed into law. Last year, Rep. Napolitano participated in the "Make It In America: What's Next?" hearings led by Whip Hoyer to discuss how Congress can address today's economic challenges and capitalize on new economic opportunities, including how we can help more businesses innovate and make their products here in the U.S. Based on the feedback they received during the hearings, House Democrats unveiled a new Make It In America plan in June focused on four areas of action: expanding entrepreneurship & innovation, closing the skills gap, building a 21st century infrastructure, and breaking down barriers to manufacturing in the U.S. To learn more about the Make It In America plan, click here.

Patriotism is paramount at Gordon Brush which has been steadfast in commitment to manufacturing in the United States even under competitive threats. Gordon Brush is focused on making higher quality and specialty items. "When you look at our products next to similar items from China there are no comparison.  Promoting American made is vital to the strength, health, and viability of the United States."

Many end users are willing to sacrifice cost over quality.  "We are determined to build and grow our business in the United States. It was very difficult at first. Companies that have nothing to differentiate themselves with besides price are the most vulnerable to the threat of lower priced Chinese made products; which is a no-win game."  Gordon Brush chooses to compete on value-added.

Most important to Gordon Brush are its valued, long-tenured, skilled employees. Gordon Brush is a great place to work and we are committed to enhancing their lives."  "There are tremendous problems all over the world, said Rakusin. "We can't fix them all. But what we can do is to act locally. We start here. Our priority is to help our Gordon Brush community. That means keeping our business here no matter how tough it gets."

Gordon Brush Mfg. Co., Inc., founded in 1951, is an ISO 9001:2008 certified and leading manufacturer of specialty, custom and standard brushes for industrial and consumer purposes. The Company makes the very popular FootMate® System, as well as over 15,000 standard and custom brushes, selling to a multitude of industries including: janitorial, medical, electronics, manufacturing, military, aerospace, and pharmaceutical.

Gordon Brush has made brushes for the United States Army to clean the main gun on the Abrams tanks, saving the Department of Defense over $1.5 billion.  The Company also has made brushes that were used on the space shuttle, the lunar module, and brushes to clean the guidance system and guns on the Apache helicopter. Gordon Brush manufactures brushes that grow microorganisms used as alternative energy sources; that are used by the FBI for fingerprinting crimes scenes; and for complex circuit boards in the computer industry. Gordon Brush has patents pending on stadium sweepers that are changing the way America cleans its greatest sports stadiums and theatre chains.

Gordon Brush has been featured on the ION Network, Discovery Channel, Bloomberg News, and in the Los Angeles Times. The FootMate® System has been featured on the Today Show and The Real TV Show, as well as in online magazines: People.com: "Stuff We Love;" CNN.com: "The Short List for Buying American;" Cosmopolitan Germany: "Beautiful Feet for the Warm Days!;" Drug Store News; Bisous Magazine; Posh Beauty; Milk & Honey; and Beauty Store Business.

Gordon Brush has received Member Resolution No. 1402, sponsored by Senator Ronald S. Calderon, 30th California State Senate District. 

The FootMate to Be Featured On the Fox Business Network

Date: 2016-07-07

(Chicago, IL – July 8, 2016) The FootMate System, a product that cleans, massages and exfoliates feet in the shower, will be one of five breakthrough home and housewares products featured on episode 9 of The Big Pitch. The show will air Saturday, July 9 on the Fox Business Network at 4:00 PM EST.

The FootMate System adheres safely and securely to the shower floor, is cradled for the controu of the foot, and features 11,000 bristles. It also includes the specially formulated FootMate Rejuvenating Gel.

The Big Pitch home shopping show gives companies five minutes to impress a panel of product development experts. The Episode 9 pitches were filmed during the 2016 International Home+Housewares Show in Chicago.

“I’ve seen cheap, flimsy products made overseas that target the elderly and people with mobility problems, but this just blows those away,” says John Cremeans, one of The Big Pitch panelists. Cremeans, a home-shopping pioneer, saw dozens of products in Chicago and tabbed the Stingray design as one of the best. “In terms of quality, there’s no comparison and, in terms of function, this is a product for the entire family.”

“We are thrilled that the Big Pitch panel selected FootMate System as one of five breakthrough products amongst thousands at the 2016 International Home+Housewares Show in Chicago,” said Ken Rakusin, President and CEO of Gordon Brush. “The FootMate System is great for anyone wanting a soothing, stimulating way to clean and massage their feet; it also makes a great gift,” added Rakusin.

The American Made Beauty Verified FootMate System is endorsed by the American College of Foot & Ankle Orthopedics & Medicine (ACFAOM), a specialty organization part of the American Podiatric Medical Association and Dawn Harper-Nelson, Olympic Gold and Silver medalist in the 100M hurdles.

The FootMate System was featured on the Today Show and the REAL TV Show and numerous magazines and publications including: Cosmopolitan Germany; Bisous Magazine; Milke & Honey; Beauty Business Store; CNN; Drug Store News; Home Care Magazine.

The FootMate System is the ultimate foot massage and the perfect way to pamper your tired, aching feet. Refresh, Restore, Renew!...Your feet will Love You!

Viewers can purchase the FootMate System at a special price during the program, and after the airing while supplies last, at www.thebigpitchtv.com. Another home shopping legend, Cory Bergeron, hosts the show.

Rakusin Purchases Static Faction Inc.

Date: 2016-07-14

CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA - JULY 12, 2016. Static Faction, Inc. of Salem, MA has been acquired by a new company, StaticFaction, LLC owned by Maureen Kedes Rakusin and Ken Rakusin, President and CEO of Gordon Brush Mfg. Co., Inc. located at 3737 Capitol Avenue in the City of Industry, CA, a suburb of Los Angeles.

Ian Moss, the founder and President of StaticFaction, will stay on as consultant and assist with the transition. Inventory and sales activity will remain in the Salem, MA location for the short term. The exclusive relationship with Nihon Sanmo Dyeing Co Ltd., the Kyoto based inventor of Thunderon®, an integral element of StaticFaction products, will remain. StaticFaction will be housed in Gordon Brush's new 183,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility.

The Rakusin and Moss relationship spans more than two decades. They have consulted each other on countless business affairs and become close personal friends. The duo has collaborated on projects and events at the West Coast Brush Manufacturers Association and the American Brush Manufacturers Association; including both having had the honor of serving as President of the latter.

"Working with Ken and seeing first-hand what he has achieved for the industry and his own business, I can think of no better person to take over the ownership of Static Faction. Realizing the vast growth potential of the static brush business requires the kinds of resources, expertise and leadership that Ken brings to all his business activities," notes Moss. 

Adds Rakusin, "We are confident and excited to bring great improvements and innovations to the static control industry. Our plan is to continue to advance and grow Ian Moss' legacy.  Ian has planted the seeds and grown the tree, and now we want to grow the forest."

Established in 1994, StaticFaction has defined and occupied a very successful niche in the static control business. Ian Moss has been a major player in the brush industry for 50 years and in the static business for 22 years. Gordon Brush was founded in 1951 and Ken Rakusin has been at the helm since 1990.  "I'm thrilled to begin a new chapter," says Moss. "I am immensely confident as I pass the torch to Ken Rakusin. I see nothing but continued growth and innovation on the horizon."

The smooth transition is a reflection of the admiration and deep friendship the two business leaders have for each other. "Hey Ian, I think those song lyrics were all wrong," jokes Rakusin, "What are they again? 'I Can't Get No StaticFaction?'...well I sure got some now!" Without missing a beat, Moss retorts, "Mick Jagger is rolling over in his grave and he's not even dead yet." 

Gordon Brush's products are American made. Gordon Brush is an ISO 9000:2008 certified company and has a commitment to improving the quality of customers' products through excellence in design, functionality, and customer service. Gordon Brush offers same-day shipping on over 2,000 standard brushes and quick turn-around on custom or specialty brushes. The Company helps its customers improve their productivity and profitability by providing them with high quality brushes which suit their exact requirements for a variety of industries including medical, electronics, manufacturing, military, aerospace, and pharmaceutical.

FootMate® System Featured on The Big Pitch

Date: 2016-07-15

John Cremeans gives thumbs up to shower foot-health system on Fox Business program

Chicago, IL - July 15, 2016.      The FootMate® System, a product that cleans, massages and exfoliates feet in the shower, was one of five breakthrough home and housewares products featured on Episode 9 of The Big Pitch.

The show aired Saturday, July 9 on the Fox Business Network.

The FootMate® System adheres safely and securely to the shower floor and features 11,000 contoured bristles. It also includes the special FootMate® Rejuvenating Gel™.

"Being selected to present to the esteemed panel of the Big Pitch was a fantastic opportunity for the FootMate® System and Gordon Brush®", said Ken Rakusin, President and CEO.  "The endorsement of the FootMate® System by Big Pitch team enhances the practical and intrinsic value the product offers to the many people for whom this product is intended", added Rakusin.

Home Shopping legend John Cremeans, one of three panelists on The Big Pitch, is enthusiastic about the potential behind the product.

"Anyone who appreciates a foot massage-and who doesn't?-will see the benefits of FootMate® System," he says. "I'm thinking about athletes, pregnant women, and people with diabetes and arthritis as natural targets for this product."

The Big Pitch home shopping show gives companies five minutes to impress a panel of product development experts. The Episode 9 pitches were filmed during The 2016 International Home+Housewares Show in Chicago. 

Corey Bergeron, who hosts The Big Pitch, says he likes how the contoured bristles cradle the foot, which cleans and massages the bottoms and sides of the foot.

The American Made Beauty Verified FootMate® System is endorsed by the American College of Foot & Ankle Orthopedics & Medicine ("ACFAOM"), a specialty organization part of the American Podiatric Medical Association and Dawn Harper-Nelson, Olympic Gold and Silver medalist in the 100M hurdles.

The FootMate® System was featured on the Today Show and the REAL TV Show and numerous magazines and publications including: Cosmopolitan Germany; Bisous Magazine; Milk & Honey; Beauty Business Store; CNN; Drug Store News; Home Care Magazine.

The FootMate® System is the ultimate foot massage and the perfect way to pamper your tired, aching feet.  Refresh, Restore, Renew!....® Your feet will Love You!...®

Viewers were able to purchase the FootMate at a special price during the program, and after the airing while supplies last, at www.thebigpitchtv.com. 

Gordon Brush Relocates

Date: 2016-03-01

Gordon Brush Mfg. Co., Inc., Gordon Brush Wisconsin, LLC and Redtree Industries, LLC are excited to announce that effective immediately we have moved into our new 183,000 square foot facility in the greater Los Angeles area. Our Milwaukee Dustless Brush products will continue to be manufactured in Delavan, WI for the time being.  The address is different but all telephone, facsimile and email addresses remain the same.

New address:

3737 Capitol Ave

City of Industry, CA  90601 USA

Tel:  (323) 724-7777

Fax:  (323) 724-1111

Gordon Brush Showcases Bold New Corporate Logo

Date: 2016-02-01

City of Industry, CA - Last week, Gordon Brush announced the move of their corporate offices and manufacturing facility from Commerce to the City of Industry, CA. Gordon Brush team members orchestrated the complex move while maintaining virtually flawless service to their customers. Movers and riggers packed up and drove multimillions of dollars worth of equipment, inventory and high-tech robotics across town. Software engineers, machinists and half a dozen technicians from Germany and Italy installed and fine-tuned their thoroughbred machinery.

To properly represent Gordon Brush's vast new 183,000 square foot state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, the company needed a new image to match; a new logo that would illustrate the fortitude and growth of the corporation.

"I feel so grateful. I wanted a logo that reflects that," says Ken Rakusin, President and CEO of Gordon Brush. "Business at Gordon Brush has never been better. I feel so fortunate to be able to provide even better service for our valued customers and a better work environment for our hard working, devoted, and caring team members who and have been an integral part of our success."

Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Alan M. Schechter, worked with a major design studio to create a new face for the company; a bold, strong logo that exemplifies Gordon Brush's expansion and strength. "The new logo reflects our bold new image and emphasizes our 'proud to be American' manufacturing philosophy - even the new colors are the same as those in the American flag. The powerful 'G' symbolizes the 15,000 different types of brushes we make. It says 'we are strong and proud,'" says Schechter.

"Coming to work in the morning at this new amazing place is like being a kid and getting your first shiny new bike. It just makes you so happy. Everyone is feeling it. All of us on the manufacturing and engineering side really love the new logo too. It really demonstrates what we are all feeling," notes Ricardo Ruiz, Plant Manager.

Adds Christina Lynch, Operations Manager, "It took a lot of complex logistics to get us to this point; a lot of hard work. But it was so worth it. Our new offices are amazing. We love coming to work. We are all joking around that we don't need a gym membership. All we have to do is walk to the other side of the building! We love the new logo, it just seems to fit."

"We have a very aggressive 5-year growth plan and with our existing team and the incoming new hires, we are very confident that we will surpass our own expectations," continues President Rakusin. "During the move, our entire staff went the extra mile not only for the company, but especially for our customers. I am very proud of everyone at Gordon Brush and feel blessed. We are a bigger, stronger Company with even better customer service. Our new logo showcases this new chapter in our company history."

Ruiz Rises at Gordon Brush

Date: 2014-04-11

Ricardo Ruiz has come a long way since enduring economic hardship and political unrest while growing up in his native El Salvador. Ruiz, 52, is now plant manager for Gordon Brush in Commerce, Calif.

"I was studying industrial engineering at the university and I was afraid that the political turmoil would make for an uncertain future, so I decided to seek better opportunities," Mr. Ruiz says. 

He left El Salvador at the age of 21 with a friend who had family in Canada. They were caught at the California border and sent to a detention facility in Chula Vista. 

Mr. Ruiz spent three days in detention before an aunt living in Montebello bailed him out. Upon his release, he was given a work permit. 

His aunt's husband encouraged him to apply for a job at Gordon Brush Mfg. Co. Inc., where he worked. Mr. Ruiz got hired as a janitor because he spoke no English at the time and his education wasn't relevant to an open position at Gordon Brush. 

He spent two years learning how to work and fix the machines on his own time. 

"I wanted to better myself," he says. "I knew I had the capability of learning and improving my position, and if I worked hard, someone would recognize my abilities." 

Second-shift supervisor to plant manager

After two years, the company offered Mr. Ruiz the chance to learn how to make brushes on the second shift. It was a welcome step up, but he wanted more responsibility and better, higher-paying jobs. 

In recognition of his hard work, the company sponsored his U.S. citizenship, and a couple of years later he was made second-shift supervisor and was taught the art of brush making, and how to use and fix all of the machines.

Although Mr. Ruiz was studying architecture and accounting in community college, his immediate need was to support his wife and child. 

"Should I continue my education and pursue a career as an architect or should I stay at Gordon Brush?" he asked his wife. The answer was clear when he was offered the position of plant manager. 

Mr. Ruiz passed on the chance of a potentially more lucrative career as an architect to stay on at Gordon Brush because, he says, "I enjoy working with my hands, solving problems and providing customers a solution." 

He now coordiantes the production of over 15,000 different brushes made by Gordon Brush. 

"I have complete faith and trust in Ricardo to do whatever he needs to do to run the plant in the most efficient and cost-effective manner, to make and deliver our wide variety of American made brushes to our customers," says Ken Rakusin, company president and CEO. 

Giving back

Mr. Ruiz remembers to give back to the country and community from which he received. He is active in his church and community center, and counsels young people on what it means to work hard to achieve a goal. 

"Besides my family and my job, this is my third greatest satisfaction," he says, "giving back to the community and hopefully make a difference in a youth's life."

He has no regrets about how his life and career have gone. 

"Because of Gordon Brush, I was able to build a great life for my wife and me and our two daughters."

Gordon Brush is family, not just a job, he says, "and only in the United States of America could all this happen."

Gordon Brush manufactures specialty, custom and standard brushes for industrial and consumer purposes.

This article originally appeared in the Hispanic Times.