THE MACK STORY
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.The years of experimentation for the Mack Company, were from 1946until 1961. 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 in1960. 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 ever before. 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 manufacturing. It is completely manufactured in Jonesville, Michigan, by eight to ten very talented technicians.