WAHL...yesterday

1911 The road which led to Wahl Clipper Corporation becoming the world's largest manufacturer of electric hair clippers began when Sterling High School junior, Leo J. Wahl, experimented with an electromagnetic motor.

As the change from direct to alternating current was moving across the country, Mr. Wahl, an engineering student at the University of Illinois, visualized the design of many new products. He designed a medical massager for his uncle, Dr. J. Frank Wahl, who manufactured the massagers in a small plant
in Sterling, Illinois. Leo spent some of his spare time selling these massagers to barbershops, where he saw the need to improve many of the tools being used. When his uncle was called into service during the Revolution in Mexico, Leo Wahl took over the manufacturing business and also began experimenting to build a new electric hair clipper.

1919 On October 14, Leo J. Wahl applied for patents and Wahl Manufacturing Company began manufacturing his newly developed electromagnetic hair clipper. It was the first practical clipper with the drive motor in the hand, rather than driven through a flexible shaft from a remote motor. By the end of 1920, his factory had manufactured and sold approximately 1,000 clippers to barbers all over the United States. In those early years, Mr. Wahl concentrated his work directly with barbers to improve the efficiency and convenience of his hair clipper.

1921 On February 2, Leo J. Wahl, having received a patent on his new hair clipper, purchased 100% of the Wahl Manufacturing Company stock, renamed and incorporated the business as Wahl Clipper Corporation. Growth was rapid, financed partly from earnings generated internally, but primarily from patent infringement penalties and royalties paid to Wahl by others.

1940 In the early 1940's, the company installed its own plastic molding presses and continued to expand this important in-house manufacturing capability. At one time, it produced hundreds of thousands of micro-size electrical switches. With the addition of various manufacturing technologies, the corporation grew as a vertically integrated manufacturer with almost everything in its portable appliances, except the cord and screws, produced in the Wahl plant. Early on, the company came very close to going into the electric shaver business when Leo developed a prototype using his electromagnetic motor. That decision was postponed because of the proliferation of court cases on cutting blade patents. The product line for professional barbers and beauticians was expanded as additional items, such as a professional salon hair dryer, shear sharpeners, shears, curling brushes, combs and attachments for hair clippers, were added. For consumers, a very successful hand-held "silent dryer" was produced, with production often approaching 2,000 per day. At one time, even an electromagnetic malted milk mixer was designed.

1950 With the early realization that Wahl barber clippers would be in worldwide demand, the company embarked on an export effort, building products in all the various voltages and cycles required. Before the second World War, Wahl incorporated with a partner to manufacture clippers in England. For all practical purposes, that operation was lost during the War. Over the years, Wahl has developed a prosperous network of sales and service representatives throughout the world. In the early 1950's the company opened its manufacturing facility in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

1957 During Leo J. Wahl's lifetime, which ended on May 20, he applied for over 100 patents on his various inventions. That same year the Company completed the move from its 407 E. Third Street location to the spacious new plant on North Locust Street in Sterling.

1960 In the mid 60's, the company developed and produced a very unique flexible-blade men's electric razor that was possibly years ahead of its time.

1965 Wahl Clipper, typifying the innovative spirit of the Company, pioneered another advancement in the industry when it stunned trade show crowds who watched a man get a full haircut without a speck of hair touching his suit, even though he had no cloth cover. This was the introduction of the Clipper Vac, a clipper with a vacuum hair pickup.

1966 The Company began manufacturing its first universal-type rotary motor clipper. Within a year, the motor was converted to the permanent-magnet type and incorporated into a powerful new animal clipper.

1967 The Company designed the first cordless/rechargeable battery-operated hair trimmer and marketed it to professionals.

1970 A series of labor problems remaining from an eight-week strike in 1965 erupted into a 26-week strike, culminating with decertification of the union. During that same year, a new variable-speed, rare-earth, permanent-magnet motor clipper was introduced.

1971 Using its rechargeable battery technology, the company invented and produced the world's first successful cordless/rechargeable soldering iron, creating a new Electronics Division. Within two weeks, this tool captured 90% of the United States market.

1975 The company began manufacturing a full line of foot and back massagers, with both controlled vibration and heat, using Wahl's very efficient electromagnetic motor. In 1977, Wahl also introduced another totally new product concept: the hygienic, battery-operated nose and brow trimmer.

1984 The company capitalized on its wealth of user research from professional trimmer sales and developed the world's first battery-operated facial hair trimmer, the Groomsman. This product created another new and exciting consumer category. New products and sales growth created the need for a series of annual expansion projects, starting with the purchase of a 17,500 sq. ft. school building and then construction of 30,000 sq. ft. on the main plant and offices. In 1986, the 12,600 sq. ft. Annex building was purchased and expanded to 18,750 sq. ft. An additional 5,000 sq. ft. were constructed on the main plant in 1988 and 41,000 sq. ft. addition was completed in late 1989.

Additions totaling 48,000 sq. ft. were completed in 1992. The Professional Beauty and Barber Division continued its lead as the #1 supplier of electric haircutting machines and began the development of other tools for salon use, including a line of wet goods under the name of "VISIONS."

1987 In August, the Company introduced to the professional market another truly innovative product, the "ZeeCurl." This unique, flat-barrel curling iron gave stylists a tool to create new hairstyles with Z-shaped curls adding texture and body to all types of hair. In 1988, "FrenZee," the consumer version, was added.

1989 New products included: a rechargeable wand massager, a magnifying extension mirror, the Sterling line of professional hair clippers, electronic drill tools, a specially designed shaver for black men, the "Stubble Device" to keep facial hair cut one to three days long, and a bikini line shaver.

1990 The personal care line of Groomsman Beard and Mustache Trimmers had been expanded into a full line of battery and rechargeable products. Creative hairstyling trends of the 90's led Wahl's Professional and Consumer Divisions to develop tools for cutting and maintaining special shapes and designs in the hair. These products were known in the trade as "Hair Doodles" and "Cool Cuts." Wahl made a serious step into the electric shaver business with the purchase of tooling and technology for a world-class Austrian shaver, which joined Wahl's men's and Lady Wahl shaver lines. In 1991, using its recently invented DynaFlex Cutting System, Wahl began mass production of three new electric shaver models in its Sterling plant.

The International Division accelerated its growth with foreign trade shows, increasing sales to almost 20% of domestic sales. The company made a major commitment to international business with the 1987 incorporation of Wahl Europe, Ltd. as a wholly owned sales/service/distribution center, including a bonded warehouse for V.A.T and duty savings located in Herne Bay, Northern Kent, England. In 1990, the Company purchased and moved into its own 20,000 sq. ft. building. In 1989 and 1990, Wahl employees received "Illinois Exporter of the Year" awards from the S.B.A. In 1991, the company was awarded the coveted Presidential "E" Award for excellence in exporting. This was followed by the Presidential "E Star" Award in 1994.

1993 This year saw the first marketing of the Custom Shave System, allowing the user a choice of three foil heads for varying degrees of shaving closeness and comfort. Many new corded and cordless haircutting and trimming products for both the professional and the consumer were brought to market as the shorter hairstyles continued worldwide.

1996 With the goal of achieving a 100% service level, the company converted to an on-line, computer-aided inventory control system at its Sterling plant. This controlled warehouse environment facilities the inward flow of piece parts for manufacturing, movement within the plant and the system which aids material requirement planning, helping establish accurate build rates to assure timely shipping for each of the products Wahl manufacturers. The system is designed to control multiple warehouse facilities as the company expands its global operations. At the same time, plant expansions were completed, adding over 130,000 sq. ft., a 40% increase in capacity.

Later in the year, the Company acquired Moser Elektrogerate GmbH, an international manufacturer headquartered in Unterkirnach, Germany. Moser's Hungarian production plant, Kuno Moser Kft, and the shares of Ermila GmbH, a distributor of professional hair clippers, were also included in the acquisition. All activities of the two companies were merged into a global personal care organization. The synergistic effect of combined research, development, production, logistics and marketing is intended to result in a more intensive globalization for both companies. Founded in 1946, Moser is recognized as a leading international manufacturer of products similar to those of Wahl, including hair clippers, massagers, shavers and pet trimmers. Moser's product line also includes oral hygiene appliances.

1997 Gregory S. Wahl was elected president of Wahl Clipper, USA, succeeding his father, John F. (Jack) Wahl, who continues to serve as CEO. Commenting on the future of the company in the 21st Century, Greg Wahl reiterated the company's drive toward globalization and its commitment to serve consumer and professional customers and end users, wherever they are located.

1998 The acquisition of Kim Laube & Company Inc. solidified Wahl's position as the preeminent worldwide manufacturer of pet clippers, trimmers and related products. Laube, based in Oxnard, California, makes and markets high-end pet clippers and a full line of premium quality wet goods for professional groomers. 1999 Wahl Clipper Corporation is an international industry leader in the manufacture of consumer personal care appliances and products for the professional beauty and barber salon trade. The company currently employs over 1,800 people worldwide in Australia, Canada, China, England, Germany, Holland, Hungary, Japan and the United States.

WAHL...tomorrow

Under Greg Wahl's leadership, the company sets its sights on Leading with Vision, a new philosophy for the 21st Century. Wahl explains, "To maintain our leadership position in the personal care categories we sere, we must have vision. Vision to continually improve our existing products. Vision to bring new products to market which meet the wants and needs of consumers. Vision to stay ahead of our competitors in innovation. And vision to support our customers, the retailers, with sales and marketing programs that make it easy, fun and profitable for them to sell more Wahl products. Leading with Vision means constantly being alert to new opportunities. By sharing the vision, we can make tomorrow absolutely extraordinary."

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