Andco Kitchens & Baths
Locally Owned Since 1928
Andco began its long history in 1928 selling appliances such as wringer washers, vacuums, and radios as C.E. Anderson Electric Co. They were originally located in the old Lundstrom-Peterson building on 7th Street, but later moved down the street to a building that stood on the northeast corner of the block where the Amcore building stands today
Around 1945, they became Anco Distributors and branched out into the cabinetry business. Prior to this time, cabinetry was typically custom-built by a carpenter directly on the job site. These homemade cabinets were not only labor-intensive and time-consuming, but also very expensive. The industry began to change when pre-built metal cabinets became available, although they were produced in only one style and limited sizes.
Anco quickly outgrew their location and moved to 1112 5th Avenue into the building that today is Colorlab Custom Cosmetics. They began offering wood cabinets manufactured by Carr Co. to area contractors. Anco Company was one of the first in Rockford that sold and stocked these ready-made cabinets. However, style and size choices to start with were still narrow. “The only style produced at the time was a birch door in a natural maple finish with a veneer maple core cabinet frame,” says Roger Olson, former president of Andco Distributors, Inc., and son-in-law to CE Anderson. He goes on to say, “Carr started out as a medium-priced line, but it became a good value for the money.”
In 1956, the company passed to the next generation of family partners, who incorporated as Andco Distributors since the Anco name was taken by Anco Wiperblades. They liquidated the small appliance, gift, and dinnerware stock and concentrated on developing its line of cabinetry and kitchen appliances.
Carr was becoming more of a high-end custom line of cabinetry, so they searched for a manufacturer that offered more options but was still affordable to their customers. Aristokraft, one of today's leading cabinet lines, was the answer. Andco was one of Aristokraft's first distributors, providing modern cabinetry and laminate countertops with a chrome edge to a growing Rockford area.
The need for more warehouse space caused the familiar need for expansion, so Andco again branched out by building on two acres on 15th Street, which is where the corporate office and warehouse still stands today. Originally breaking ground in 1960, business was so good that they subsequently expanded the building three times.
"We were really going to town," says Olson. "We were servicing dealers and builders within 75 miles of Rockford. We opened another office in Madison and started picking up business in Milwaukee and Chicago. Expansion was the key to our success."
Paul Johnson joined the company in 1989 and quickly became the top sales representative. The name changed to Andco Kitchens & Baths, Inc. when he bought the company six years later. "I appreciate the fact that Roger entrusted me with the business," says Johnson. "He worked hard for a long period of time, and he wanted that legacy to continue."
Five years later a 2,700 sq. ft. showroom opened on Perryville Road. "If we hadn't opened that store, we'd be out of business," says Johnson. "It's a prime location for our customers. We were losing jobs to the big box stores," Johnson continues. "We needed to change lines in order to survive. We reduced the gaps between lines, so now we are more competitive and frequently lower-priced than box stores."
"I put 40 years of hard work into this company," says Olson. "It's wonderful to see it continue. It's gratifying for me to see Paul and his staff doing such a superb job."
Over the last several decades, Andco Kitchens & Baths, Inc. has grown to serve the entire Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin area, including Rockford, Beloit, Janesville, and the Chicago suburbs. For over 95 years it has proven its commitment to service and the community.
In February of 2024, Paul retired and turned over the reins to Jeremiah Whitmire. He said, “Roger gave me the opportunity to continue in his footsteps, and I wanted to give that same opportunity to one of my salespeople with the same drive to succeed that Roger saw in me.” Jeremiah had over 15 years of experience in kitchen and bath design prior to starting with Andco in 2016. He has been the manager for years and has helped to revamp the Perryville showroom and bring in new products. He is the perfect choice to carry on the Andco legacy.
Today, Andco offers a wide variety of products in popular colors, options, and manufacturers. Our options complement any style and budget, from a simple do-it-yourself project to a fully custom installed room. Our professional designers are knowledgeable about recent trends and can guide clients to make informed decisions that fit their lifestyle. Our 2,700 sq. ft. showroom allows them to find everything they need for a new kitchen or bathroom project in one simple location.