Bruske Products started as a dream.
At its heart, Bruske Products is truly a “mom and pop” business, having started in the back of a small shop by a couple of “kids” from the north side. With a background in sales with the Fuller Brush Company, Ed Bruske saw the need for brooms and brushes that were made to stand the test of time under extreme conditions – and there begins the story of Bruske Products and the Indestructible Bruske Brush.
In the beginning
-
1952 Ed Bruske graduates from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL with a major in Business Administration and Marketing.
-
1953 Bruske began selling door to door for The Fuller Brush Company in Tacoma, WA and then in Des Moines, IA.
-
1956 Bruske started in the Industrial Division of The Fuller Brush Company south side.
-
1961 Bruske is promoted to Midwest Regional Manager for Fuller.
-
1968 Bruske obtains his pilot’s license and began flying his own plane to meet the demands of his growing territory.
-
1970 Bruske was let go from Fuller along with the president and three of the five territory managers.
A New Career
-
1972 Bruske Products began manufacturing Bruske Brushes in the back of a machine parts factory in Tinley Park, IL.
-
1975 Bruske Products moved to a 10,000 square foot location across town.
-
1977 Bruske Products partners with the Southwest Community Services, an organization that empowers individuals with diverse disabilities to maximize their development and independence.
-
1982 Steve Schafer, son-in-law of Bruske, began working as an industrial salesman.
-
1983 Bruske Products launches its retail division.
A Big Move
-
1986 Bruske Products moves down the street to its current 30,000-square-foot location.
-
1987 Schafer begins running the retail sales division as National Retail Sales Manager.
-
1995 Susan Bruske, daughter of Bruske, begins working at Bruske Products as the administrative assistant.
-
1997 Schafer becomes Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of Bruske Products.
-
2000 Bruske sells the company to its employees through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
Today
-
2002 Bruske Products receives award for thirty years of contributing to the community from the Tinley Park Economic Commercial Commission.
-
2012 Bruske Products receives award for forty years of contributing to the community Tinley Park Economic Commercial Commission.
-
2014 Bruske Products establishes the Bruske retail showroom in the front lobby of the facility and celebrates forty-two years in business.
-
2015 Steve Schafer is named President. Ed Bruske becomes the first Chairman of the Board.
- 2022 Mark Thompson became President of Bruske Products.
Bruske Products is a 100% Employee-Owned ESOP Company
Bruske Products is known for producing quality-crafted, American-made brushes, brooms, and sweeper brushes that last longer and clean better than ordinary floor products. Each brush and broom is designed, engineered and manufactured to last longer by using the finest materials.
Phone
Industries Served
Manufacturing
Transportation
Public Works
Education Facilities
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Food Manufacturing
