ANDOVER, Kansas, July 1, 2008 -- Have you ever heard of the Vornado? It's the combination of the two words -- vortex and tornado. The name was chosen by an Andover company that began manufacturing a new air circulation system in the 1940's. Today, they are still at it.

If you want to keep cool this summer, a Vornado fan is a great way to move the air and the Kansas economy. Vornado assembles their uniquely-engineered fans at their facility on 13th and Andover Road. Many of the parts are out-sourced to local and some international companies.

"We're buying plastic components, packaging; we're buying other raw materials," said Randy Brillhart, COO, Vornado Air, Inc. "We're buying motors and a few other odds and ends from China and we're bringing those in here and we're assembling the product."

Vornado has had three lives. In the 1940's an aerodynamicist applied jet engine technology to air circulators. They were manufactured in Wichita and sold well until central heat and air systems slowed production in the 1950's. In 1987, another investor brought back Vornado fans, and after some financial difficulties, former Coleman employees purchased the company and have applied their vision.

"We want to grow the right way, through the right channels with very premium products."

You won't find Vornado fans at discount stores. High-end distribution channels keep profit margins at twice those of the cheaper brands.

Just 55 full time, and about 30 seasonal employees, maintain the pace. Workers are cross-trained to assemble product one week and package and ship the next.

The 100,000-square foot Andover plant has room to grow.

"If we can keep our inventory turns turning where we want to, this facility should serve us well for the next five years."

Randy and his partners from Coleman put a lot on the line to buy Vornado but they didn't flinch.

"We have a good idea of what we're getting into. I think that the opportunity that we saw was too great to be too concerned about it."

The former Vornado owners would introduce one new product each year. This team will debut 18 new concepts in the fall. They expect to move more than "air" in 2008, projecting to sell almost a million units.

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