In 1922, in the heart of Chicago, August Wedekind—a skilled carpenter and contractor—had a conversation that would shape the future of a family legacy. A friend predicted that wallpaper was “the coming thing,” and August took that advice to heart. He began crafting paste tables, trestles, and paste boards in his garage, selling them to local hardware stores.
As demand grew, August built a 5,000-square-foot facility on Chicago’s West Side—the same location that still houses Advance Equipment Manufacturing Company today. The expanded space allowed for more machinery, leading to a broader range of tools including straight edges, seam rollers, casing knives, and wallpaper trimmers.
In the early 1940s, August’s son, Bill, joined the business. A true innovator, Bill invented the first-ever drywall taping knife—paving the way for a new era of tools for painters, decorators, and drywall professionals. As the product line grew, so did the family. Bill and his wife, Mildred, raised four sons and a daughter. Two of the boys, John and Paul, joined the company full-time and helped drive the business forward.
After Bill’s passing, John took over leadership of the company. Today, the fourth generation—John R. and DeAnne—carry on the family legacy, continuing to grow the business while remaining true to its roots.
Expansion continued in 1992 with the acquisition of the Miramar Company, a manufacturer of wallcovering pasting machines.Five building additions have been made since, reflecting both our physical growth and commitment to expanding our American-made Tools and Equipment.
Today, Advance Equipment Manufacturing Company serves an ever-growing customer base across North America and abroad, providing high-quality tools trusted by professional contractors around the world.
