Although the Andrew Mack
and Son Brush Co. was founded in 1891, its history goes back to
1865. It was during that year that J.J. Deal founded his wagon and
buggy factory in the small village of Jonesville, Michigan. The
Deal factory quickly gained the reputation of building the finest
carts, wagons and carriages in the Midwest. The products were
first class in every detail - even the paint!
It was with this
emphasis on quality that the Mack Company made its contribution
for several years prior to 1891. Andrew Mack (1860 - 1946) had
been the head striper at the Deal Co. Andrew was a true
perfectionist and he had never been completely happy with the
quality and performance of the striping brush furnished by the
Deal Co.
Through months,
and probably years, of experimentation with various brushes,
Andrew finally developed what is now known as the "Mack
Striping Pencil". All carriages carried a great deal of
pinstriping during this period of our country's history. It wasn't
long before other companies and pinstripers throughout the United
States heard about Andrew's improved striping brush and wanted to
secure a few brushes for their own striping needs.
Soon the demand
for Mr. Mack's brushes was so great that it was time to strike out
on his own and enter into the manufacture of striping brushes.
Andrew Mack resigned from the Deal factory in 1891 and was
destined to originate one of the most unique manufacturing
companies in the world.
Since Andrew
Mack died in 1946 (at the age of 86), the early history of his
company is very sketchy at best. We know that he operated his
company out of several buildings and homes prior to his death. We
understand that in the 1930's there were over 30 ladies working
for him full time manufacturing just the pinstriping brush. Of
course, one must remember that this was the heyday of pinstriping
(no tape, rollers, spray or air brush guns were on the market at
that time).
Andrew's son,
Glenwood, was involved in the family business on and off from 1911
until he took over full ownership in 1946 upon Andrew's death.
From 1946 until
1961 were the years of experimentation for the Mack Company.
Glenwood spent countless hours in quality control and time
studies. He entered the photographic market with a brush that was
used in cleaning camera lenses. He contracted artist and sign
writer brushes from a company in New York called "Art &
Sign". He developed this art and sign writer business until it
accounted for about 25% of the overall sales. However, by 1961
Glenwood was 72 years old and it was time to step down and enjoy
life.
Jon M. (Mike)
Fast, a friend of the family, purchased the business in 1960. He
was a junior at the University of Michigan Business School at the
time, and has continued as the president of the business to the
present date. Sales, through inflation and growth, have increased
many times over the years, and the Andrew Mack and Son Co. is more
viable and diversified now than at any other time in its history.
The Company continues as the world leader in quality pinstriping
and touch up brushes, but they have also branched out into many
other allied areas. One of the fastest growing areas and also the
most gratifying has been developing new and unusual Brushes for
the Sign Painter.
The Pinstriping
Brush that is manufactured today is essentially the same brush
that Andrew Mack first made in 1891, (although many of the leading
stripers in the world would give anything to get hold of one of
those "Old Mack brushes"). The pinstriping brush is
totally a hand-crafted operation, just as it was in 1891. There is
not one piece of machinery used in its manufacture. It is
completely manufactured in Jonesville, Michigan, by eight to ten
very talented technicians.
The squirrel
hair comes from the cold regions of the Siberia and Northern China.
Many attempts have been made to raise squirrels or use the tails
from Northern Canada, but the quality just isn't there! By the
way, our brush, as well as many other artist and sign writer
brushes, have always been labeled "Camel Hair." This
couldn't be farther from the truth. There is no such thing as
"Camel Hair". It was a name given to squirrel and other
animal hair a long time ago. Most of us have been afraid to drop
the label for fear of losing you as a satisfied customer.
The hair that we
use in our striping brushes is 100% unmixed squirrel hair and the
brush is made in America by Americans. This is a statement that no
other pinstriping manufacturer can claim.
The Andrew Mack
Brush Company is rich in history and pride. We are the originators
of the Pinstriping Brush, and we feel that we still give you the
very best brush in the world.
I am sure
Mr. Andrew Mack would be proud of his company today. I am
certainly proud to be the present owner. My wife, Betty, and I have been the
active owners of the company since 1960. We are extremely
fortunate that our son, Chris, has chosen to "come
home." He joined the family business in the Spring of 1997.
To date, he really enjoys the business and it will be great to
have The Brush Company remain in the Fast Family. We
have had great, dedicated employees through the years. It has been
a challenge to develop new products and ideas these past forty
years. We have all enjoyed a fantastic relationship with you.
-
"The
Best Customers Ever!"
Jon M. Fast
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