Whenever you hear the name DYMO®, it's impossible not to think of labels… all kinds of labels. From the raised-letter embossed type to smooth and long-lasting thermal transfers, DYMO labels are the perfect solution for keeping everything organized and easily identifiable, from kitchen canisters and school supplies to storage shelves and network cables. How did the company whose name is synonymous with labels and label printers grow from a small US-based company into a global force with thousands of employees worldwide? Learn more below.
DYMO® was originally known as DYMO Industries when Rudolph “Rudy” Hurwich founded it in 1958 in California. It was the first company to introduce personal embossing label makers for home and office labeling. A fellow Californian named David W. Souza had invented the labeler, filing a patent with DYMO Industries in 1959 for his “hand operated embossing tool.” Hurwich paid $100,000 for the rights to the product and amassed $300,000 additional startup capital to begin manufacturing it.
The handheld embossers named the Tapewriter in some of its earliest models, caught on rapidly, becoming the go-to product line for labeling and identification needs for business and home use. DYMO® label makers not only had a strong following in the United States by the late 1960s, but in Europe as well — so much that the company decided to establish a European headquarters in Sint Niklaas, Belgium.
By 1968, DYMO® label makers were available in 21 different languages including Japanese and Greek. Having already established itself as a publicly traded company, their sales in June 1968 tallied $73.4 million, with net profits of close to $2 million, according to historical statistics about the company.
In 1978, DYMO® was acquired by — and brought under the umbrella of — Esselte®, a global leader in the manufacture of office supplies. Thanks to their influence and established presence the world over, DYMO® product distribution within the office products industry dramatically increased.
In 1990, DYMO® introduced what was to become its largest and most successful business segment to date: battery-powered electronic label printers. With their high-quality printing capabilities and features like digital displays, built-in keyboards and multiple formatting functions, electronic label makers became incredibly popular and led to enormous company growth throughout the following decade.
Esselte® acquired the CoStar Corporation in 1998, a Connecticut-based firm that had already developed a market for the LabelWriter®, a compact label printer that could be connected to both PC and Macintosh computers. The LabelWriter® was a totally unique product, in that it allowed users to print one label at a time — as opposed to entire printer sheets worth — directly from their desktop computers.
By 2000, CoStar's LabelWriter® had become the DYMO® LabelWriter®, making its labeling and identification product line the most complete one on the market. The same year, Philip J. Damiano — who had up to then been the CEO of CoStar Corporation — became president of DYMO®. CoStar's sales and marketing team transitioned into their new duties of promoting and developing all DYMO® product lines.
DYMO® was sold to the Fortune 100 Newell Brands in November 2005 for $730 million.
Today, DYMO® continues as a leader of label-making and embossing items, as well as scanning software and online postage products.
Shop now at CableOrganizer® for DYMO® embossers, label makers, industrial label printers and more.
