BISSELL history

In 1883, Bissell built the company's first manufacturing plant in Grand Rapids.

Bissell’s factory suffered a fire in 1884.

size: 24x18in Giclee Print: Bissell Carpet Sweeper, American, 1887 :

As the first female CEO of America, Anna Bissell not only led Bissell into the world’s largest sweeper business in 1899, but also cared for staff wellbeing.

1905 Ad Bissell Carpet Sweeper Sanitary Appliance Clean - ORIGINAL GM1

1907 Ad Bissel Cyco Bearing Dustless Sweeper Pricing - ORIGINAL ADVERTISING TIN4

Anna Bissell guided the company through decades of growth; she served as chairman of the board until her death in 1934.

Melville Bissell III, a nephew of Melville, Jr., took over leadership of the company in 1953.

Hence Bissell introduced manual carpet shampooers in 1956, a product enabling Bissell of five-fold sales.

In 1957, the Shampoo Master won the Bachner Award for Achievement for practical application of molded and formed plastics.

Original 1958 Vintage Ad for a Bissell Shampoo Master Featuring a wonderful color photo of a woman using a Bissell Shampoo Master! "Now Shampoo Your Rubs Standing Up!" (Ah, yes . . . the 50's - shampooing your rug in pearls and high heels!) Approx.

In addition, in 1960 BISSELL had introduced the "stick vac," a lightweight vacuum that could be handled like a broom.

BISSELL also acquired the Ohio-based Wood Shovel and Tool Company in 1965.

In 1970 BISSELL purchased a Swiss electric shaver company.

John M. Bissell, a cousin to Melville III, assumed leadership of the company in 1971.

BISSELL purchased the Penn Champ Company, a manufacturer of aerosol cleaners and fabric shampoo, in 1974.

Resuming its diversification in 1976, BISSELL purchased Venturi, Inc., a manufacturer of plant foods and other organic products.

In 1978 BISSELL purchased the Atlantic Precision Works, a manufacturer of kitchen warming trays, and relocated the factory from New York to Grand Rapids.

Hoping to provide retailers with an entire family of BISSELL floor care products, the company developed another token line of vacuum cleaners and in 1980 reintroduced the carpet shampoo concept, but as a simple household wet extraction device called The Carpet Machine.

In 1981 BISSELL rolled out a second wet carpet cleaner called "It's Magic." The product contained no pump (the part most likely to fail on such devices), but drew its water pressure from a sink faucet.

BISSELL acquired the Fred Sammons Company of Chicago in 1982.

In 1985 BISSELL introduced a three-in-one vacuum cleaner, intended for use on stairs and on the second level of homes, where a heavy vacuum cleaner would be less practical and more cumbersome.

In fact, a smaller version of the device, the BISSELL Little Green Clean Machine, was introduced the same way in October 1993.

Mark Bissell was at the helm of Bissell as of 1994 when his father John Bissell left office.

In 1996, Bissell acquired Singer brand from Ryobi Motor Products, a sewing machine and vacuum cleaner maker.

Within the deep cleaning category, BISSELL already had been successful in the area of canister models (the Big Green) and portable models (the Little Green). In 1997 the company launched its first upright model, the PowerSteamer.

The Hoover Co. filed two lawsuits against BISSELL in May 1998 alleging patent infringements on certain features of BISSELL deep cleaners and upright vacuum cleaners.

BISSELL quickly countersued but the parties reached a settlement in May 1999 shortly after the suits went to trial.

In 2004, Bissell and Hong Kong-based Chiaphua Industries jointly founded BHC to produce Bissell vacuums.

BISSELL created the company-wide ForEverGreen team in 2006 to integrate sustainable practices into all aspects of its business.

In 2011, Cathy Bissell, the fourth successor and wife of Mark Bissell, founded Bissell Pet Foundation that was committed to “one home for one pet” and pet adoption.On behalf of Bissell, she sponsored a variety of pet initiatives and competitions and featured TV commercials of new products with pets.

In 2014, after Chiaphua Appliances (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. of Chiaphua Industries exited China, Bissell and manufacturing tycoon Flex reached an agreement.

In 2016, Grand Rapids government in Michigan built a statue for Anna Bissell to admire her greatness.

In 2017, a few groups of guests from China visited Bissell headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan.