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Our story begins with two friends in West Michigan who had a dream for a better life for their families. Jay Van Andel and Rich DeVos launched their business in the 1950s selling NUTRILITE® Dietary Supplements door to door. What they discovered over 50 years ago still remains true today – that people and relationships are at the core of any successful business. By establishing trust with their customers, their vitamin business grew. By 1959 Rich, Jay, and their few associates looked for new product ideas to expand their efforts. The result was Amway's first home care product, which today is called L.O.C.® (Liquid Organic Cleaner) Multi-Purpose Cleaner. It was an instant sales success story, opening up a whole new world of opportunity.
Rich and Jay wanted to share their newfound success with others who held their values and vision. They created a unique business model that allowed others to join Amway and participate in the benefits of the expanding business. It became a model for reward and recognition that continues to be developed in Amway markets around the world. Amway’s Home Care products, including the newly launched SA8® Laundry Detergent, proved to be big sellers. Within a few short years, the company had more than 700 employees, over 200 exclusive products, and more than 100,000 Distributors. Amway's annual sales rapidly expanded, exceeding US $500,000 (estimated retail) for the first time.
Persuaded by our values, caring, and the potential of our business opportunity, more and more people became part of the Amway family. By the mid '70s, Amway trucks were traveling more than 3.25 million miles (approx 5.23 million kilometers) per year, shipping products to millions of Distributors. The company expanded overseas, opening markets in eight countries on three continents. Amway launched in Australia in 1971, swiftly followed by the UK, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Amway Japan Limited (AJL), founded in Tokyo in 1979, quickly became one of Amway's largest markets.
Amway’s commitment to health and nutrition led the company to pioneer water treatment systems, with very successful results. Clean water is a major challenge for many in the world, and this concern played a large role in Amway’s research and development. Amway's water treatment product line – eSpring® – continues to hold a top position in the global marketplace today. Estimated annual retail sales exceeded $1 billion for the first time. Amway expanded its U.S. headquarters in Ada, Michigan, and built a new cosmetics plant where ARTISTRY® products were developed and manufactured.
Following in their fathers' footsteps, Steve Van Andel and Dick DeVos succeeded Jay and Rich as Chairman and President of Amway, building upon and continuing the successes of their parents. The 1990s saw continued expansion with estimated retail sales volumes reaching US $5 billion. To increase brand awareness, Amway Japan sponsored the 1995 Nagano Winter Olympic games in Japan. Around the world, Amway's regional and country affiliates continued to support their Distributors with the launch of e-commerce sites that extend the Amway opportunity onto the internet.
Copyright (C) 2009 Amway Global
