About Us
About Us
Our History
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.
Commitment to Innovation
Innovation has been at the core of Advance Equipment Mfg. Co. since our founding in 1922. While we continue to honor our heritage, we also push boundaries to develop new tools, improve manufacturing processes, to meet evolving industry needs.
We’ve introduced groundbreaking products such as:
- The first Drywall Taping Knife (1940s)
- Paste-Mate™ Heavy-Duty Paste Machines
- Radius Skimming Blades
- Corner Trowels
- Mixers and Wipedown Knives
Recent innovations include:
- A semi-automatic Even Flow Taping Banjo with a curved belly design
- A Corner Bead Applicator for efficient and precise installation
Our use of robotic manufacturing technology ensures consistent quality and precision, while also enhancing efficiency and reducing waste. We are equally committed to improving customer experience and minimizing our environmental footprint.
Advance Equipment remains dedicated to driving industry innovation that has defined our company for over a century. This enduring commitment motivates us to deliver smarter, more effective solutions for the professionals who rely on our tools every day.
Made in the USA
Since 1922, Advance Equipment Mfg. Co. has proudly upheld a strong commitment to American manufacturing. For over 100 years, all of our drywall, wall covering, and painting tools have been made in our Chicago facility.
Manufacturing in the USA enables us to:
- Guarantee superior craftsmanship
- Support local jobs and the economy
- Quickly adapt to customer demands
- Uphold a tradition of excellence
This commitment has been the foundation of our growth for over a century and remains central to our identity today.
Advance Equipment Manufacturing Co.
Manufacturing Capabilities
As a trusted partner for industry professionals and private label brands alike, Advance Equipment Mfg. Co. combines over 100 years of experience with cutting-edge manufacturing technology.
Our capabilities include:
- Responsiveness: Lean manufacturing practices allow us to react quickly to customer needs.
- Flexibility: We handle everything from small-batch custom orders to large-scale production runs with equal precision.
- Superior Quality: Our standards consistently exceed those of offshore competitors.
- Advanced Technology: Robotic systems ensure exceptional consistency, accuracy, and efficiency.
Our proven ability to produce high-quality, American-made tools—combined with our legacy of innovation—makes Advance Equipment the manufacturer of choice for professionals across multiple industries.
Products
Advance Equipment Manufacturing Co. offers a comprehensive range of high-quality tools for drywall, wall covering, and painting industries. As a family-owned American manufacturer since 1922, we have maintained our commitment to quality and craftsmanship for over a century.
Our Product Lines
We offer four main categories of innovative tools and equipment:
Drywall Tools
Our drywall line features a wide range of professional-grade tools, including:
- Corner trowels
- Drywall knives
- Floor/Wall Scrapers
- Mixers
- Mud pans
- Taping banjos
- Miscellaneous Drywall
Painting Tools
For painting professionals, we offer various specialized tools such as:
- Graining combs
- Rollers
- Spray shields
- Door painting stands
Wall Covering Tools
Our wall covering selection includes essential tools like:
- Seam rollers
- Straight edges
- Paste tables and boards
Pasting Machines
Our paste machine selection includes essential tools and accessories like:
- Measuring Counters
- Paste Mate Storage Cases
- Heavy Duty Paste Machines
- Pasting Machine Booking Tables
Each product category is further divided into subcategories, providing a detailed range of options to meet the diverse needs of construction and renovation professionals. At Advance Equipment, we're proud to continue our long-standing tradition of American manufacturing excellence.