Follett Corporation provides educational materials to public libraries, schools, and colleges.
The company was founded in 1873 by Charles M. Barnes when he opened a book store in Wheaton, Illinois. He named his business the C.M. Barnes Company and moved it to Chicago three years later.
C.W. Follett joined the company in 1901. Charles retired and his son William took over the company in 1902. By then, the company was a wholesaler, selling books throughout the Midwest.
In 1912 C.W. Follett became vice president, and in 1923 purchased the company.
Meanwhile, C.M. Barnes sold his interest in the company in 1917 and moved to New York, where he partnered with G. Clifford Noble to found Barnes & Noble.
After C.W. Follett purchased the company, he brought on his three sons to the family business. When he died in 1952 his son, Dwight Follett took over, renaming the company Follett Corporation.
Follett Corporation continues to be family business today, though for the first time the CEO is not a family member. The company serves more than 5 million students through 1,600 physical and online stores, has 9,000 employees, and had $2.72 billion in revenue in 2011.
Follett Corporation
Follett Corporation provides educational materials to public libraries, schools, and colleges.
The company was founded in 1873 by Charles M. Barnes when he opened a book store in Wheaton, Illinois. He named his business the C.M. Barnes Company and moved it to Chicago three years later.
C.W. Follett joined the company in 1901. Charles retired and his son William took over the company in 1902. By then, the company was a wholesaler, selling books throughout the Midwest.
History
In 1912 C.W. Follett became vice president, and in 1923 purchased the company.
Meanwhile, C.M. Barnes sold his interest in the company in 1917 and moved to New York, where he partnered with G. Clifford Noble to found Barnes & Noble.
After C.W. Follett purchased the company, he brought on his three sons to the family business. When he died in 1952 his son, Dwight Follett took over, renaming the company Follett Corporation.
Follett Corporation continues to be family business today, though for the first time the CEO is not a family member. The company serves more than 5 million students through 1,600 physical and online stores, has 9,000 employees, and had $2.72 billion in revenue in 2011.
