Bobrick - Channel-Framed Mirror

Bobrick:

Bobrick was founded in 1906 by George Augustus Bobrick. It was known as Bobrick Chemical Company, manufacturers of various commercial products (waxes, ammonia, etc.). To promote the sale of liquid soap, Mr. Bobrick and his son, Arthur, designed and produced soap dispensers. G. A. Bobrick conceived the idea of the first liquid soap dispenser and was awarded a U.S. Patent for it in 1908. The Pullman Car Company later asked Bobrick to develop a soap dispenser for use in their railway passenger cars. The result was the first basin-mounted "Pullman" dispenser, which brought Bobrick a second U.S. Patent in 1912. These early inventions established Bobrick as a pioneer in soap dispensing equipment and set a new direction for the company.

In the late 1950's the company undertook an emphasis on product expansion and development geared to the needs of the architectural and new construction markets. In 1959, Bobrick hired its first Architectural Representative. In an effort to develop the best service organization for the construction market, Bobrick continued to add carefully selected Architectural Representatives, many with engineering and architectural degrees.

In 1961, the big breakthrough came with Bobrick's introduction of a unique line of recessed stainless steel multi-purpose units. An entirely new concept in washroom equipment, it combined various washroom accessories into a single space saving cabinet. Building owners and architects called the new line the most spectacular advance in commercial washroom equipment in half a century. The new units dramatically improved the appearance of the washroom, made more efficient use of space and reduced installation and maintenance costs.

In 1964, Bobrick International was established to sell and distribute Bobrick's recessed and surface-mounted washroom accessories in Australia, Europe, Asia, Far East, Middle East, Central/South America, and Africa. By 1966, the Company was celebrating its 60th year in a new 32,000 square foot headquarters building in North Hollywood, California.

In 1986 Bobrick introduced its AirCraft® recessed and surface mounted warm air hand and hair dryers. The AirCraft dryers included the industry's first recessed automatic hand dryer and featured indestructible cast iron with vitreous enamel covers.

1993 was a big year. Bobrick introduced the Contura Series washroom accessories. The Contura Series provided an innovative alternative look to washroom accessories with its rounded front. The second big event was the acquisition of Thrislington Cubicles, a toilet partition and retail fitting room manufacturer, adding a European style of toilet partition to the Bobrick product line.

In 1995, the Classic Series toilet compartments were introduced, adding a viable low-cost plastic laminate partition to the Bobrick product line. In 1997, Bobrick introduced the Matrix Series offering an attractive design-integrated family of durable, surface-mounted plastic washroom accessories priced for low to moderate budgets.

In 2000, the innovatively styled Eclipse warm air hand dryers were added to Bobrick's hand dryer product line. The new dryers combine unique design, reliable performance and durability. Together with the addition of the new, low priced Cub Dryer, Bobrick becomes "The Dryer Company."

In 2004 Bobrick acquired the Koala Convenience and Activities Division from the Koala Corporation. Bobrick’s Koala Kare Products division is the leading manufacturer of diaper changing stations, child seating and activity products used in commercial, transportation, amusement and restaurant proprieties serving families with children.

Today, Bobrick serves U.S. customers from three locations: the Corporate Headquarters and main plant in Los Angeles, plus manufacturing and customer service facilities in Clifton Park, New York, and Jackson, Tennessee. In addition there is Bobrick Canadian Headquarters and manufacturing plant in Toronto, Canada. Bobrick International has representatives in Europe, Australia, the Far East, Middle East, Africa, Central and South America, and the South Pacific Islands. Distribution centers have been added in the United Kingdom, continental Europe, and Australia, to support these markets. More on Bobrick...