Fellowes Brands
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Office equipment manufacturing |
| Founded | 1917 |
| Founder | Harry Fellowes, Walter Nickel |
| Headquarters | Itasca, Illinois , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | John Fellowes (CEO) |
| Products | Office equipment, storage solutions, shredders, laminators, binding devices, modular wall systems, office furniture, commercial air purification units |
Number of employees | 1000+ |
Fellowes Brands, Inc. is a privately owned manufacturer specializing in office equipment, with its main headquarters located in Itasca, Illinois. Established in 1917 under the name Bankers Box Company by Harry Fellowes, the firm originally focused on producing its well-known Bankers Box storage containers for records. From the 1960s onward, the business expanded its product line to include office machinery such as shredders, laminators, and binding devices, eventually becoming a leading U.S. supplier of paper shredders and storage solutions.
The company's product offerings have since grown to encompass modular wall systems, office furniture, commercial air purification units, and various other professional-grade workspace items. Still family-operated, Fellowes Brands manages 24 regional offices worldwide and employs a workforce exceeding 1,000 individuals.
History
Founded in Chicago in 1917 by Harry Fellowes and Walter Nickel, the Bankers Box Company initially specialized in record storage products. During the 1930s, family members Folger and John Fellowes became part of the business, with James Fellowes—grandson of the founder—assuming the presidency in 1983. That same year marked the transition to the Fellowes name to better represent the company’s expansion into business machines and computer-related accessories. James took on the role of CEO in 1997. Reflecting its diversified product portfolio, the company adopted the name Fellowes Brands in 2015. John Fellowes, great-grandson of Harry Fellowes and fourth-generation family leader, was appointed CEO in 2014. The corporate headquarters continue to be based in Itasca, Illinois.
In 2019, Fellowes expanded its footprint in workspace solutions by acquiring Trendway Corporation, an office furniture manufacturer headquartered in Holland, Michigan.