Consumer Goods

Direct Buy Corporate Office

DirectBuy was founded in 1971 by James L. Gagan in Merrillville, Indiana. The club allows consumers to buy direct from the manufacturers at wholesale prices. Joining the club requires a substantial membership fee for a 2-3 year commitment.

In 1996, the first franchise opened in Canada.

In 2004, the company incorporated as DirectBuy, a subsidiary of United Consumers Club.

In 2007, the company was acquired by Trivest and Allied Capital Corporation.

In 2011, the company was sued by the West Virginia Attorney General for deceptive business practices and high pressure sales. The company had been telling people if you did not join on your first visit, you would be banned for life. A threat that was not true.

Today, Direct Buy has over 100 locations in the US and Canada.

Direct Buy

In 1996, the first franchise opened in Canada.

In 2004, the company incorporated as DirectBuy, a subsidiary of United Consumers Club.

History

In 2007, the company was acquired by Trivest and Allied Capital Corporation.

Today, Direct Buy has over 100 locations in the US and Canada.

Ross Corporate Office

Ross Department Store was opened in 1950 by Morris Ross in San Bruno, California.

By 1981, Ross had built the company to 6 department stores.

In 1982, a group of investors led by Mervin Morris purchased the company and changed them to off-price retail stores called Ross Dress For Less.

By 1985, there were 107 Ross Dress For Less stores and the company goes public.

In 1992, the company introduces its Home Accents stores.

In 1994, the company adds a Bed and Bath department to its stores.

In 2004, dd’s Discounts in launched in California.

Today, the company operates over 1,000 stores in 29 US states. They are the third largest off-price retailer in the US market.

Ross Stores

Ross Department Store was opened in 1950 by Morris Ross in San Bruno, California.

By 1981, Ross had built the company to 6 department stores.

In 1982, a group of investors led by Mervin Morris purchased the company and changed them to off-price retail stores called Ross Dress For Less.

History

By 1985, there were 107 Ross Dress For Less stores and the company goes public.

In 1992, the company introduces its Home Accents stores.

In 1994, the company adds a Bed and Bath department to its stores.

In 2004, dd’s Discounts in launched in California.

Today, the company operates over 1,000 stores in 29 US states. They are the third largest off-price retailer in the US market.

Goodyear Corporate Office

Goodyear was founded in 1898 by Frank Seiberling in Akron, Ohio where the headquarters remain today. The company is named after Charles Goodyear, who invented vulcanized rubber. They originally produced carriage and bicycle tires.

In 1901, the company provided Ford with racing tires. By 1908, all Model T’s feature Goodyear tires.

In 1925, the first Goodyear blimp is launched.

By 1926, Goodyear is the largest rubber company in the world.

In 1927, the company goes public.

In 1944, the company opens a subsidiary called Goodyear-Oxo in Mexico.

In 1986, the company completed a huge buyback on common stock after a hostile takeover attempt was launched by James Goldsmith.

Today, Goodyear is one of the largest tire manufacturers in the world. Besides automobiles, they also manufacture tires for trucks (light & commercial), race cars, airplanes and farm equipment.

Goodyear

In 1901, the company provided Ford with racing tires. By 1908, all Model T’s feature Goodyear tires.

In 1925, the first Goodyear blimp is launched.

History

By 1926, Goodyear is the largest rubber company in the world.

In 1927, the company goes public.

In 1944, the company opens a subsidiary called Goodyear-Oxo in Mexico.

In 1986, the company completed a huge buyback on common stock after a hostile takeover attempt was launched by James Goldsmith.

Today, Goodyear is one of the largest tire manufacturers in the world. Besides automobiles, they also manufacture tires for trucks (light & commercial), race cars, airplanes and farm equipment.

Wegmans Corporate Office

Wegmans began in 1916 as the Rochester Fruit and Vegetable Company. The company was founded by John and Walter Wegman. John began by using a pushcart to sell produce. then later he and his brother Walter pooled their savings to open a storefront.

In 1931, the brothers incorporated the business as Wegman’s Food Market and opened a self-service grocery.

In 1968, the company begins expanding. First in Syracuse, New York, later in Buffalo, New York.

In 1972, the company opens its first pharmacy inside a store.

In 1974, the company acquires Bilt-Rite Chase-Pitkin.

In 1986, Wegmans Federal Credit Union opens for business.

In 1993, the company opens its first store outside of New York in Erie, Pennsylvania.

The company quit selling tobacco products in 2008 and even offered stop smoking programs to their employees.

In 2009, Wegmans ranked 29th on the Supermarket News list of the Top 75 North American Food Retailers based on sales volume.

In June of 2017, the company partnered with Instacart to provide delivery of their Personal Shopper program.

Wegmans has appeared on Fortune’s annual “100 Best Companies to Work For” list since the list first appeared in 1998. The company has continually ranked among the top 10 for eight consecutive years.

Today, Wegmans is still a family-owned regional supermarket with 95 stores in 6 states: New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, and Massachusetts. The company had annual revenue in 2016 of $8.3 billion.

Wegmans

History

In 1931, the brothers incorporated the business as Wegman’s Food Market and opened a self-service grocery.

In 1968, the company begins expanding. First in Syracuse, New York, later in Buffalo, New York.

In 1972, the company opens its first pharmacy inside a store.

In 1974, the company acquires Bilt-Rite Chase-Pitkin.

In 1986, Wegmans Federal Credit Union opens for business.

In 1993, the company opens its first store outside of New York in Erie, Pennsylvania.

The company quit selling tobacco products in 2008 and even offered stop smoking programs to their employees.

In 2009, Wegmans ranked 29th on the Supermarket News list of the Top 75 North American Food Retailers based on sales volume.

In June of 2017, the company partnered with Instacart to provide delivery of their Personal Shopper program.

Microsoft Corporate Office

Microsoft was founded in 1975 by childhood friends Bill Gates and Paul Allen.

In 1980, the company launched Xenix, their operating system based off of Unix.

In 1984, Microsoft Windows launched.

In 1986, the company headquarters were moved to Redmond, Washington where they remain today. The company also went public this same year.

In 1990, Microsoft Office was launched.

In 2000, Bill Gates was replaced as CEO by Steve Ballmer.

In 2001, the Xbox and Windows XP are both unveiled.

In 2007, Windows Vista is launched.

In 2011, the company acquired Skype.

In 2012, the Microsoft Surface tablet is launched.

Today, Microsoft is a multinational software manufacturer. Microsoft Windows is the most used desktop operating system in the world. The company also produces other consumer electronics like the Xbox and Zune.

In November 2018, Microsoft became the world’s most valuable company, rising above Apple.

Microsoft confirmed suspicions in 2019 that Cortana and Skype recordings were not private.

In mid-August 2019, the company warned users to update their Windows 10 systems immediately to avoid a virus that spreads malware between computers without any user interaction.

Microsoft

Microsoft was founded in 1975 by childhood friends Bill Gates and Paul Allen.

In 1980, the company launched Xenix, their operating system based off of Unix.

History

In 1984, Microsoft Windows launched.

In 1986, the company headquarters were moved to Redmond, Washington where they remain today. The company also went public this same year.

In 1990, Microsoft Office was launched.

In 2000, Bill Gates was replaced as CEO by Steve Ballmer.

In 2001, the Xbox and Windows XP are both unveiled.

In 2007, Windows Vista is launched.

In 2011, the company acquired Skype.

In 2012, the Microsoft Surface tablet is launched.

In November 2018, Microsoft became the world’s most valuable company, rising above Apple.

Microsoft confirmed suspicions in 2019 that Cortana and Skype recordings were not private.

In mid-August 2019, the company warned users to update their Windows 10 systems immediately to avoid a virus that spreads malware between computers without any user interaction.