Bissell was founded in Grand Rapids, Michigan, by Melville Bissell, who invented a carpet sweeping device for the crockery shop that he and his wife Anna owned. Bissell got a patent for his machine in 1876. By 1883, Bissell had a manufacturing plant and by 1890, the company was making and selling approximately 100 carpet sweepers each day, both in the US and internationally.
Melville passed away in 1889 and his wife Anna took over the company, actively working as CEO and chairwoman of the board until 1934. Anna was the first female CEO in the US.
Over the years the company has continued to expand and grow, as well as develop new technology. In 1956 the company invented the first manual carpet and rug shampoo machine, removing the chore of washing these by hand.
In 1979, the company introduced the first deep cleaning carpet shampoo machine. 
In 2001, the SpotBot was introduced by the company, making it the first portable deep cleaner specially designed for pet messes.
In 2004 the company acquired a license for the Woolite trademark for all carpet and upholstery cleaning formulas for $62 million.
The company’s main focus today is on pet clean-up machines, including vacuums, wet/dry floor mops, and specialized carpet cleaning, as well as hardwood floor cleaning machines. 
While other companies have seen their sales decline over the years, Bissell has seen steady revenue, with annual revenue in 2017 of $800 million.
In December 2020, Bissell offered $25 pet adoptions in hopes of emptying animal shelters by Christmas.
In addition to vacuums and other cleaning devices, the company makes pet towels and bathmats.
In 2009, the company surpassed Hoover to take the #1 position in floor care products in North America, with a 20% market share. Company headquarters remain in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Bissell
Bissell was founded in Grand Rapids, Michigan, by Melville Bissell, who invented a carpet sweeping device for the crockery shop that he and his wife Anna owned. Bissell got a patent for his machine in 1876. By 1883, Bissell had a manufacturing plant and by 1890, the company was making and selling approximately 100 carpet sweepers each day, both in the US and internationally.
Melville passed away in 1889 and his wife Anna took over the company, actively working as CEO and chairwoman of the board until 1934. Anna was the first female CEO in the US.
History
Over the years the company has continued to expand and grow, as well as develop new technology. In 1956 the company invented the first manual carpet and rug shampoo machine, removing the chore of washing these by hand.
In 1979, the company introduced the first deep cleaning carpet shampoo machine.
In 2001, the SpotBot was introduced by the company, making it the first portable deep cleaner specially designed for pet messes.
In 2004 the company acquired a license for the Woolite trademark for all carpet and upholstery cleaning formulas for $62 million.
The company’s main focus today is on pet clean-up machines, including vacuums, wet/dry floor mops, and specialized carpet cleaning, as well as hardwood floor cleaning machines.
While other companies have seen their sales decline over the years, Bissell has seen steady revenue, with annual revenue in 2017 of $800 million.
In December 2020, Bissell offered $25 pet adoptions in hopes of emptying animal shelters by Christmas.
In addition to vacuums and other cleaning devices, the company makes pet towels and bathmats.
In 2009, the company surpassed Hoover to take the #1 position in floor care products in North America, with a 20% market share. Company headquarters remain in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
July 5, 2023. Wish to say that the small ‘upholstery’ brush is not adequate. The bristles are too short, (appx. 1/4″) and stiff for many spots, and the brush head falls off when pulled backwards way too easily, like when reaching under low furniture. I really would like to see a brush head that’s a bit larger, with a permanently attached brush, with longer, more flexible bristles; about 2-3″ in length. The item I bought is a Powertrak Compact, M 2598, S/N 1919600796E. It works well, and I change the filter with each use and wash it. I bought 2 extra to be sure to complete projects. The hose attachment is so very stiff, it pulls the machine to the floor when in use sometimes. I will be calling customer care with these requests. I hope you may get me a more useful brush attachment.
Problems with their credit card transactions for the last 2 weeks are very annoying. No credit cards accepted over the phone or online, their advice is to use paypal, except the model ‘as seen on tv’ you must goto a different website where paypal in not an option.
Ive spoken with about 30 people already, ran numerous credit cards, still nothing, so they offer me 10% off for the toruble,. then the next week they offered 15% off, wow very nice, except credit card wont work there.
Today I called in and was told the 15% is down to 5% because that all she can do, I declined, but geuss what we still tried the credit card and it did not go through once again,
You would think this would be a priority right before Xmas, their advice was to goto a big box store and buy the machine for more than the price on the website and without all the extras the as seen on tv bundle offers.
Wow , unbelivable
I called twice and can’t get anyone to pick up the call they just keep you on hold it sucks especially when you are seasoned and you need help. Bye Bye Bed bath and beyond on to WMART or Target. SO done with non customer service the new excuse at 6:45 a.m. the corona virus God can’t they have a better excuse it was just as bad before so stop the excuses and no we are done as seniors to be sitting at the dam computer and chatting customer so called service sucks.
I am a retired detective lieutenant (homicide) and my wife is a retired ED nurse. On March 25th I ordered a Bissell ProHeat Model#1986 from Bissell directly, order# 33399239. With that order I also bought a Professional Formula Kit. Each item received a different FedEx number. When I received my order, I got two (2) Professional Formula kits, each with the FedEx numbers. BUT NO PROHEAT…I have called and called, sent so many emails and got nothing but a promise to “look into it.” This is your customer service? Grandpa Melville must be turning over in his grave big time. Over 140 years and this is the best you can do? I am filing a complaint with TJ Donovan, Vermont’s attorney general tomorrow. I have already sent a letter to my lawyer and plan to bring litigation against your “company?” By the way, your “corporate” email and numbers don’t work. See you in criminal/civil court.
We called the corporate office number in the listing and it worked for us. Try again.
Sorry, didn’t work for me, again. Not going to try again. I have forwarded criminal complaints with the appropriate people. Nearly done my civil litigation as well. You people are a total joke. I will be asking for a huge amount of money as “punishment.” Little guy taking on big corporation. Very very much looking forward to civil/criminal court.
When purchasing a Bissell vacuum that works – it is bliss. When dealing with a vacuum that doesn’t it is Hades! I can NEVER reach an American which is sad because not only are American jobs be contracted outside of the US to the Far East DOG EATING AND TORTURE nations; but, I have been bounced all over the Philippines where no one is able to help me. When you ask how to reach the US they always answer that headquarters is closed or “call back in an hour”. I wasted over 2 hours trying to speak with someone that doesn’t just put me back in the cue for the next person to log in the same information (after giving me a false name) so they can make money off of my phone call!
Regarding the vacuum: I recently got the Powerglide Lift Off Pet Plus. The cup barely holds anything and has to be emptied every 5 minutes. There is a barrier in the cup which serves no purpose other than to frustrate the user. Dirt starts above the barrier and is to be emptied below the barrier causing you to cut your fingers and have dirt/dust contents up to your elbow whereby you have to constantly shower after using this vacuum. The cup is not only difficult to empty, it leaves a mess everywhere because there is no feature to assist with emptying contents so after you put your hand and forearm in to empty out the dirty/dustmite wad you get it on the floor and all over yourself and need to buy another vacuum to clean up that mess. This vacuum is very heavy and does not fit in even slightly tight places without having to use the hose & attachments which isn’t convenient (when it could have a swivel front to allow access). The filters need to be cleaned multiple times during each use. The suction is good on it though. It isn’t worth the aggravation to attempt to empty this. I wish they had a stick vacuum like they used to. I’ve referred so many to Bissell because they allege they care about dogs (w/$10 from each vacuum purchase going to their own charity IF you register wanting them to do so); but after taking a telephone tour of the dog meat eating industry through their customer service line and after my experience with this vacuum; it is apparent that I need to discontinue using Bissell Products. Sorry Melville, I’m sure you had good intentions.
i’ve contacted Bissell so many times about the most recent vacuum I purchased. It does not work and I’ve only used it once everyone over there seems to think it’s a joke and refuses to help me I already contacted the Better Business Bureau and I just want my money back for this and to be paid to purchase a new vacuum that works from a different company who do I speak to about this ?
Just received 11/27/2019 Bissell Multi-Reach Stick Vacuum 2151A. Instructions say “You can use the Multi Reach straight out of the box.” Nope ! Product not charged . Called customer service. Talked with Shane. A waste of 23 minutes. She stated conversation was recorded. Asked to send me a copy. She said she unable to do. Called again today. Talked with Blaire. Told her I was returning item as my small hands could not access the battery compartment. She told me probably 4 weeks to get my money back and $4.95 shipping would be deducted. I do not want to pay shopping charges. I do not want to wait 4 weeks for my charge to be credited. Wanted to get a Bissell easier for my small hands to manage. Not so sure now.
Just saying….I am 64 years old with 4 grown children in a 4,000 sq ft home
and I have retails stores with commercial grade carpets. Over the years
I have owned every expensive kirby, dyson, etc etc. I now own 2 Bissell
Power Force Helix that I purchase at Walmarts and they are the BEST
VACUUM I have ever owned….They have great suction and handle all
the grit on the commercial rugs, they are light weight and easy to carry
up and down stairs at home, easy to empty and the cord is just the right
length. Thank you
I rented a cleaner at Lowes in Rancho Santa Margarita on 10/19/19. We followed directions and used Bissell cleaner. 2-3 days later our carped is stained with dirty brown patches all over. They were not there before. I called customer service and was told they would reply the next business day. I waited a week and called back. They said they would send documents in mail in 5-7 days. I asked for them to be emailed. They said they would and never did. I want Bissell to send a professional over to repair the damage your equipment did to my carpet.
I purchased the crosswave from your infomercial. I even purchased the extra parts so I would not have to worry about anything! I used it ONE TIME and cleaned a area rug. I called customer service multiple times. I was told to take it apart and put back together. I did all that many times and it doesn’t spray the solution! Then spent 20 minutes with her telling me to check THE CUP! There is no cup over! Then I figured out it was CAP. she had me push the cap. It was fine. We got disconnected. I put the EXTRA solution bottle I bought and it didn’t spray. I receive a CAP. Called requested manager. She tells me to go to a specific vaccume repair store to fix it or send the cord and my unit will be replaced. I’m disabled with MS and I’m a senior. I don’t drive far away. I’ve been through hell with this defective crosswave.
I HAVE A 5 YEAR WARRANTY! Why can’t you honor it? I have a SHARK vaccume. The attachment connection was missing the clip. One phone call and they sent me a brand new vaccume AND a Steam mop which I still use and neither of them have let me down. So send me a SASE(pre-post envelope) so I can send the cord PLEASE. Also reply with an explanation of your 5 year warranty is for. Your”Tech Support” NEEDS to be more clear. 20 minutes looking for a CUP is rediculous! This has been a very poor experience with you. I’ve tried 3 different “Corporate Office” phone numbers and were out of service.