Tacony Corporation Announces New Chief Financial Officer

March 26, 2021

FENTON, Mo. - March 2021 — Tacony Corporation, a privately held manufacturer and distributor that provides the world with better solutions for sewing, cleaning and home, announced today that Shannon Wilson has been named chief financial officer.

Wilson comes to Tacony with more than 20 years of financial experience in both public and private sectors. Most recently, she served as CFO for Jim’s Formal Wear, a national wholesaler and distributor in the men’s formal wear industry. Prior to that she held CFO positions in the software development and marketing services industries.

“Shannon brings a burst of energy, a curious and strategic mindset, and vast experience from previous roles similar to what we do at Tacony – family business, multi-channel distribution, and international and ecommerce sales,” said Kristi Tacony Humes, CEO, Tacony Corp. “Her collaborative nature, strong leadership and mentorship expertise are a great fit for Tacony.”

Wilson joins Tacony beginning in March 2021.

“Tacony has such a strong history and tradition of providing quality products and services, and taking care of its customers and employees,” said Wilson. “At the same time, there’s excitement and passion for the future with a focus on growth, exceeding expectations, and finding better ways in all they do. I can’t imagine a more exciting time to be joining the Tacony family.”

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Wilson earned her undergraduate degree from St. Louis University and has remained rooted in the St. Louis area.

 

About Tacony Corporation

Founded in 1946, Tacony Corporation is a privately held manufacturing and distribution company that provides your world with better solutions for sewing, cleaning and home. With more than 350 associates in eight offices around the world under the leadership of CEO Kristi Tacony Humes, Tacony prides itself on building long-lasting business relationships that are based on trust and feel like family. For more information, visit www.tacony.com.

Tacony Corporation Announces New Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing

January 22, 2021

FENTON, MO. - January 2021 — Tacony Corporation, a privately held manufacturer and distributor that provides the world with better solutions for sewing, cleaning and home, announced today that Ryan Wesselschmidt has been named senior vice president of sales and marketing.

Previously based in Stockholm, Sweden, Wesselschmidt comes to Tacony after 20 years with Husqvarna Group, the world’s largest supplier of outdoor power equipment, where he was global vice president of sales and service. In addition to developing sales territories and managing direct sales channels in the U.S., Wesselschmidt built a first-in-class sales force, expanded markets throughout the emerging markets, and gained extensive market share across Europe.

“Ryan’s leadership principles – personal accountability, collaboration, and customers first always – align closely with Tacony’s core values,” said Kristi Tacony Humes, CEO, Tacony Corp. “As we approach 75 years in business, we are building a team to help us fulfill our mission to exceed our customers’ needs; Ryan’s addition to our team is a giant step in that direction.”

Wesselschmidt was born and raised in the Midwest and earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He calls Missouri home and has relocated to St. Louis to join the Tacony Family beginning in January 2021.

 

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About Tacony Corporation

 

Founded in 1946, Tacony Corporation is a privately held manufacturing and distribution company that provides your world with better solutions for sewing, cleaning and home. With more than 350 associates in eight offices around the world under the leadership of CEO Kristi Tacony Humes, Tacony prides itself on building long-lasting business relationships that are based on trust and feel like family. For more information, visit www.tacony.com.

Tacony Corporation Showcases New Products at First Ever Virtual Baby Lock Tech

August 25, 2020

August 2020, St. Louis, MO - Tacony Corporation hosted its annual Baby Lock Tech virtually this year, live from their studio in Fenton, MO.


This year’s event hosted nearly 600 independent retail store attendees from across the nation and introduced the new product line up from the Tacony Sewing Division.


The new product line-up showcases the revolutionary and cutting edge technology that sewing enthusiasts have come to expect from Baby Lock sewing products.

Key new products include:

  • The top-of-the-line Solaris 2 embroidery and sewing machine achieves project perfection:
    • Displays stitches and embroidery designs directly on the fabric with the IQ Visionary™ Projector. Resize, move or make other adjustments with the touch of a wireless stylus – all while seeing it happen in real time before you sew it out.
    • The 10-5/8" x 16" hoop is Baby Lock’s largest hoop yet. It makes it possible to stitch out your biggest embroidery designs with fewer rehoopings. There is also a 10-5/8” x 10-5/8” hoop size perfect for quilt blocks.
    • IQ Intuition™ Monitoring App keeps track of your project’s progress with this convenient feature that alerts your phone when the bobbin needs to be changed, if a thread breaks, if a thread needs to be changed and when stitching is done.
    • Create your own designs and quilt motifs with ease using the IQ™ Designer and IQ Intuition™ Positioning App. Draw directly on the screen, scan in your favorite artwork, upload an existing file to the Solaris 2 using a USB drive, or wirelessly send designs to your machine from your smart phone using the IQ Intuition Positioning App. Your art will be instantly converted into an embroidery pattern.
    • With End Point Setting for Sewing, achieve perfect stitches using the built-in camera and end point sewing stickers. Simply place the sticker where you want your stitch to the end, activate the endpoint sewing feature and sew with confidence!
  • An upgrade is also available for customers who currently own the original Solaris embroidery and sewing machine.
  • The top-of-the-line Venture multi-needle embroidery machine allows sewist to embroider free from limitations:
    • With 10 needles available, enjoy continuous embroidery. No need to stop and change your thread for each color change. Simply set and walk-away.
    • The Baby Lock Venture comes with four hoop sizes, including an impressive 7-7/8" x 14" embroidery hoop for large designs.
    • IQ Intuition™ Monitoring - Keep track of your project’s progress with this convenient feature that alerts your phone when the bobbin needs to be changed, if a thread breaks, if a thread needs to be changed and when stitching is done.
    • Use IQ™ Designer to create your own designs with ease. Draw directly on the screen, scan in your favorite line art or upload an existing file. Your art will be automatically converted into an embroidery design!
    • The NeedleCam™ Digital Camera lets you see from the needle’s point of view, so you know exactly where the needle will drop. Also, you can use the Perfect Positioning stickers included with your Venture to place every design with extreme precision.
  • The Euphoria Cover Stitch serger machine allows sewist to achieve a professional edge:
    • With just a gust of air, ExtraordinAir™ instantly takes thread through the looper. Threading has never been this fast, easy or extraordinary!
    • Use the needle threader for quick and easy threading of each needle with just the touch of a lever.
    • Easily stitch on large projects and use optional attachments with room to spare.
    • Increase or decrease the tension for the chain/cover stitch looper thread with one conveniently located dial.

Additionally, retailers learned about several new Baby Lock accessories, including easy-to-use magnetic “sash frame” embroidery hoops, new cap frames for flat billed caps, handy magnifying lenses and more. These new accessories will be available exclusively at Baby Lock retailers.

“We’re excited about all the new sewing products we have available to both our retailers and consumers. These new products will take their creative journey to a whole new level. And, with an increased interest in sewing, we know we have just the right products for everyone,” Susanne Voss, Director of Brand Marketing, Tacony Sewing Division.

To learn more visit www.babylock.com.

About Tacony Corporation
Founded in 1946, Tacony Corporation is a privately held manufacturing and distribution company which provides your world with better solutions for sewing, cleaning and home. With more than 400 associates in 7 offices around the world under the leadership of CEO Kristi Tacony Humes, Tacony’s mission is to create long-lasting relationships that are based on trust and feel like family. For more information, visit www.tacony.com.

Sewing Interests and Sales 'serge' With New Makers

August 12, 2020

The sewing industry has seen a “serge” (pun intended) in sales during the pandemic. Tacony’s own Jeff Fuller, VP of Retail Marketing, and Baby Lock USA customer George Moore of Moore’s Sewing Centers spoke with CNN Business to share our experience and excitement for new makers entering the sewing world. Read the full article here: https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/13/business/sewing-machines-demand/index.html

Learn more about sewing brands and products brought to you by Tacony on our Brands & Innovation page.

To join our exciting world of sewing, check out the Tacony Careers page.

Baby Lock Supports Sewists in Isolation With Sew in This Together

March 31, 2020

MARCH 2020 – St. Louis, MO.

During these unprecedented times, Baby Lock has introduced Sew In This Together, a program designed to help people make it through the day through a shared love of sewing.

As part of the program, Baby Lock is offering 60 days free of its SEWED online classes for sewists across the United States and Canada. The classes cover a broad spectrum of topics, including sewing basics, new techniques and projects of all kinds.  

“At Baby Lock, we know the true power of sewing and how it can bring us all together. We hope these video classes will provide opportunities to learn new skills, act as stress relief and even serve as a way to make gifts for others,” said Baby Lock Director of Sewing Susanne Voss.

The free classes can be accessed anywhere on any internet connected device in any room of the house.

In addition, Baby Lock is encouraging sewists to make and donate homemade face masks. The masks can be made from thick, breathable cotton, found in a variety of materials around the house like t-shirts, dish towels and pillowcases. A step-by-step walkthrough video is available. The video, along with the instructions and pattern, can be found on the Baby Lock blog at https://babylock.com/learn-and-create/inspiration/face-masks. The page also includes access to patterns as well as a list of organizations in need of masks.

“We know our sewers love to help those in need and today is no different,” Voss said. “We have had over 14,000 visits to our blog page since we posted our video. That demonstrates their readiness.”

For more information and to sign up for free SEWED online video classes, visit babylock.com/60-days-free.

 

About Baby Lock: 

Baby Lock has been a leader in the sewing industry for 50 years. Today, the company offers a full line of easy-to-use, state-of-the-art sewing, quilting and embroidery machines, sergers and accessories, and industry-leading service and support. Baby Lock products are sold exclusively through independent retailers.

Baby Lock USA is brought to you by Tacony Corporation®. 

Baby Lock Brings the Love of Sewing to Charities Nationwide

November 18, 2019

November 2019 – St. Louis, MO – Throughout 2019, Baby Lock has donated sewing, embroidery, and quilting machines to a variety of charities in need across the country. These organizations have found unique and creative ways to use sewing to further their missions and bring aid to those in need.

“At Baby Lock, we have a commitment to supporting charitable work that ties into our core values, including a shared love of sewing,” said Director of Baby Lock Brand Marketing Susanne Voss.  “These organizations are a perfect match for our philosophy and we’re proud to support their efforts.”

The Rainbow Housing Assistance Corporation is a nonprofit organization that provides service-enriched programs for residents of low income housing communities across the country. Baby Lock donated two sewing machines for senior resident sewing classes, quilting and other weekly sewing projects onsite. For more information, visit www.rainbowhousing.org.

The Super Sam Foundation is dedicated to fighting childhood cancer through advocacy, awareness, research funding and support for those in the fight. Sam, the founding hero, had a wish: help “All the Kids” and that is what the Super Sam Foundation strives to in his memory. Baby Lock provided a quilting machine for the foundation's charity gala silent auction. To learn more, go to www.supersamfoundation.com.

The Canine Services Training Center provides service dogs to veterans, first responders, and Individuals that suffer from emotional, neurological, and physical disorders. To help cut volunteer costs, Baby Lock donated a sewing and embroidery machine to make service dog patches and embroider shirts for staff and resale. See more at www.facebook.com/K9STC/.

Lafayette House is a women’s shelter and drug rehabilitation center for abused women and children. Residents can participate in SewFun, a weekly sewing class, where they make small usable items for their families, including tote bags, pillows, pillowcases aprons and small quilts. The charity has been using second- or third-hand discarded sewing machines, Baby Lock provided two new machines as replacements.

Baby Lock donated a machine to the art program at Abilities United. The charity provides access for artists with developmental disabilities to the Bay Area art community by selling and exhibiting their work in public spaces, businesses and institutions. To learn more, visit www.abilitiesunited.org/program/enrichment-services/art-program/

The EAST (Education Accelerated by Service and Technology) program at Hellstern Middle School in Springdale, Arkansas received software and an embroidery machine from Baby Lock. They’ll be used to embroider patches that displays a police officer's blood type on their vest. When an officer is hurt, conventional tests to determine blood type can take anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes. These patches will allow the responding paramedics to know the officer's blood type instantly.

“Each of these organizations show how sewing can be used to make lives better — many of them in ways Baby Lock hadn’t thought of before,” Voss said. “We’re all very impressed by their efforts.”

 

About Baby Lock:

Baby Lock has been a leader in the sewing industry for 50 years. Today, the company offers a full line of easy-to-use, state-of-the-art sewing, quilting and embroidery machines, sergers and accessories, and industry-leading service and support. Baby Lock products are sold exclusively through independent retailers.

Baby Lock USA is brought to you by Tacony Corporation®. 

 

Tacony Announces New Commercial Floor Care Executive

March 25, 2019

MARCH 2019, FENTON, MO – Tacony Corporation has announced the promotion of Don Mullen to Senior Director of National Accounts in the Commercial Floor Care Sales Division.

“When you think of hard work, Don Mullen comes to mind,” said Tacony Vice President of Sales for Commercial Floor Care Tim Schaumburg. “Don’s consistent energy and ability to get the job done is refreshing; he is a motivating person to be around and his promotion is well deserved and earned.”

Schaumburg added that in Mullen’s three years with the company, he has demonstrated an ability to lead a team, manage multiple lines of business and be a company advocate both with customers and with his peers.

Mullen will work from Tacony’s corporate headquarters in Fenton, Mo.

 

About Tacony Corporation

Founded in 1946, Tacony Corporation is a privately held manufacturing and distribution company that provides your world with better solutions for sewing, cleaning and home. With more than 550 associates in 12 offices around the world under the leadership of CEO Kristi Tacony Humes, Tacony’s mission is to create long-lasting relationships that are based on trust and feel like family. For more information, visit www.tacony.com.

Tacony Sells Regency Ceiling Fans Division

March 5, 2019

MARCH 2019, FENTON, MO — Tacony Corporation, a leading distributor and manufacturer of consumer and commercial goods, announced its sale of Regency Ceiling Fans and related assets to Hinkley Lighting effective February 28, 2019. The announcement was made by Tacony CEO, Kristi Tacony Humes.

The sale allows Tacony to focus on its core business markets while providing a suitable home for Regency Ceiling Fans which has been part of Tacony for over 40 years.

“We had been looking for a strategic partner with the necessary resources and expertise to help take Regency to the next level,” Humes said. “We believe Hinkley Lighting provides Regency with a unique opportunity for growth because of its applicable experience in lighting and its reputation for trend-setting, high-quality, fashionable designs.”

Hinkley is a well-recognized and respected brand in the lighting industry used by homeowners, designers, contractors and light commercial specifiers. Its brand portfolio consists of Hinkley Lighting and Fredrick Raymond. Regency Ceiling Fans will join Hinkley Lighting at its Global Headquarters in Avon Lake, Ohio.

“We are excited to add the Regency brand to the Hinkley family of products,” said Eric Wiedemer, Vice President of Hinkley Lighting. “By widening our indoor and outdoor product offering through the fan category, we create a more connected and cohesive brand experience for our showrooms and the consumer.”

The Regency divestiture comes on the heels of Tacony’s recent announcement regarding its warehouse facilities.  In order to accommodate anticipated future growth, Tacony is building a new 75,000 square foot distribution center in Las Vegas, Nevada.  This will serve as its West Coast hub, replacing the current facility in Fullerton, California.

“Our core businesses remain strong and these changes will help us focus on the customer experience across all our brands as we move forward,” said Craig Meyer, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Tacony. “The customer experience is our top priority and Tacony continues to challenge status quo to ensure we stay true to the values that have made us successful for over 72 years.”

About Tacony Corporation

Founded in 1946, Tacony Corporation is a privately held manufacturing and distribution company that provides your world with better solutions for sewing, cleaning and home. With more than 550 associates in 12 offices around the world under the leadership of CEO Kristi Tacony Humes, Tacony’s mission is to create long-lasting relationships that are based on trust and feel like family. For more information, visit www.tacony.com.

Simplicity Vacuums Shifts to Mass Market Availability

February 22, 2019

ST. LOUIS (February 2019) - For the first time in the brand’s 30-year history, Simplicity Vacuums are now available in a variety of mass-market and online retailers.

“We’ve been the best kept secret in clean for three decades,” Tacony Home Floor Care Director of Marketing KC Grun said. “And now that secret is out.”

Grun said the products will begin appearing in a variety of big box retailers and will also include three new products including a bagless upright that is great for pets.

"We've been looking to round out the Simplicity brand to include vacuums customers have been requesting and to fill a gap for products we didn't have," Grun said. "We're launching a cordless wand vacuum. It's long overdue. It's always been about finding simple vacuuming solutions for consumers."

Grun stressed that Simplicity’s high-standards of quality will not change.

“Our engineers and structural designers scrutinize every detail of our vacuums to make sure they’re durable cleaning machines. Each and every part of them is the best it can be.”

For more information or to carry Simplicity Vacuums contact Bill Violand at b.violand@tacony.com or 813-309-0897.
 

About Simplicity Vacuums:
Simplicity Vacuums, a division of Tacony Corporation, is focused on one thing: building exceptional vacuums. Offering a full line of powerful cleaning machines with modern features, Simplicity Vacuums can be found at authorized retailers or SimplicityVac.com.

Tacony Corporation Announces New Cto

February 18, 2019

FEBRUARY, 2019 – FENTON, MO. Tacony Corporation has announced its new Chief Technology Officer: Christine Freed.

In addition to Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and leadership, Freed’s diverse strategic and results-oriented experience includes a wide range of technological knowhow that will continue to prepare Tacony Corporation to adapt to a variety of ever-changing digital needs now and into the future.

She comes to Tacony from Duke Manufacturing where she was responsible for the end to end technology for global operations. Tacony Corporation CEO Kristi Tacony Humes said Freed was a natural fit for the company.

“From planning a long-term roadmap, implementing new and maintaining current systems, Christine led a team at Duke for 18 years which included upgrading and implementing Epicor, the same ERP system we use,” Tacony Corporation CEO Kristi Tacony Humes said. “We’re so happy she decided to come aboard. As part of the Executive Team, Christine will be able to take our technology platform to the next level and provide our employees and customers with the best possible experience.”

 

About Tacony Corporation

Founded in 1946, Tacony Corporation is a privately held manufacturing and distribution company that provides your world with better solutions for sewing, cleaning and home. With more than 550 associates in 12 offices around the world under the leadership of CEO Kristi Tacony Humes, Tacony’s mission is to create long-lasting relationships that are based on trust and feel like family. For more information, visit www.tacony.com.

Tacony Corporation Promotes Godare to Sr Vice President, Human Resources

February 1, 2019

FEBRUARY 2019, FENTON, MO — Tacony Corporation has promoted Nicki Godare to Senior Vice President, Human Resources.

Tacony Corporation CEO Kristi Tacony Humes noted that Godare’s leadership qualities quickly rose to the forefront in her short time with the company.

“As Vice President and as a member of the Tacony executive team, Nicki has demonstrated how much can be accomplished quickly on a roadmap both tactically and strategically to set the company up for both the short and long term,” Humes said. 

Humes pointed to Godare’s numerous contributions to the company’s human resources department, including adopting and implementing the ADP payroll system, a new performance management structure, benefits improvements, streamlining processes and creating management training and on-boarding programs.

“Along with Nicki’s team, our Human Resource department continues to build upon the trust and partnership our company values stand for and desire for our employees with her vision,” Humes said.  

 

About Tacony Corporation

Founded in 1946, Tacony Corporation is a privately held manufacturing and distribution company that provides your world with better solutions for sewing, cleaning and home. With more than 550 associates in 12 offices around the world under the leadership of CEO Kristi Tacony Humes, Tacony’s mission is to create long-lasting relationships that are based on trust and feel like family. For more information, visit www.tacony.com.

Tacony Announces New Commercial Floor Care Executive

February 1, 2019

FEBRUARY 2019, FENTON, MO — Tacony Corporation has added a new executive to its leadership team: Vice President of Sales for Commercial Floor Care, Tim Schaumburg.

Schaumburg’s position puts him in charge of developing sales strategy and driving profitability at Tacony within the Commercial Floor Care group. He is also responsible for the inside and outside sales teams along with OEM and sales support headquartered in Tacony’s Fort Worth, TX, facility.

“Tim’s experience in sales will be invaluable in helping our Commercial Floor Care channel meet its goals and objectives,” said Tacony CEO, Kristi Tacony Humes. “We’re excited to see how he’ll contribute.”

Schaumburg is formerly of ADP where he served as Business Consultant for Major Accounts and then Regional Vice President at Enterprise Holdings. He also serves as a Corporate Advisor and Mentor at L.E.A.D (Launch, Expose, Advise, Direct) with a mission to empower an at-risk generation to lead and transform their city.

 

About Tacony Corporation

Founded in 1946, Tacony Corporation is a privately held manufacturing and distribution company that provides your world with better solutions for sewing, cleaning and home. With more than 550 associates in 12 offices around the world under the leadership of CEO Kristi Tacony Humes, Tacony’s mission is to create long-lasting relationships that are based on trust and feel like family. For more information, visit www.tacony.com.

 

Sewing Industry Mourns Loss of Icon Nancy Zieman

November 14, 2017

ST. LOUIS (November 14, 2017) – Nancy’s Notions and parent company Tacony Corporation join the sewing industry and fans around the world in mourning the passing of sewing icon and Nancy’s Notions founder Nancy Zieman. Staff and leadership at Tacony are remembering Nancy as a dear friend and colleague, beloved throughout the industry.

“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Nancy Zieman,” said Craig Meyer, senior vice president of marketing at Tacony Corporation. “Nancy is especially revered and respected here at Tacony where we enjoyed so much more than just a business relationship. Nancy was truly a friend, and we will miss her.”

Nancy served as an icon, a leader and a visionary in the sewing world. She paved the way for many other women to become entrepreneurs and business owners. In 1979, she founded Nancy’s Notions, based in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. St. Louis’ Tacony Corporation purchased the company in 2003, and Nancy stayed on as the company’s chief spokesperson, teacher, and creative voice.

Nancy also founded the Public Television show Sewing with Nancy in 1982 – now the longest-running sewing and quilting program on North American television. She authored multiple sewing how-to books and inspired countless sewing enthusiasts across the U.S. and throughout the world.

After a long battle with cancer, Nancy passed away at home surrounded by family on November 14,2017. A private service is planned with family and close friends.

The 2017-2018 season of Sewing with Nancy will run in its entirety, showcasing a mix of new programming that was taped prior to Nancy’s retirement this fall and encore presentations of some of the most popular topics from past seasons. In August, Nancy expressed her hope that Sewing with Nancy will continue for years to come.

In lieu of cards and flowers, donations may be made in Nancy’s name to Wisconsin Public Television or to a local hospice organization.

ABOUT NANCY’S NOTIONS

Founded in 1979 by inspirational sewing educator Nancy Zieman, Nancy’s Notions began as a small, mail-order company operating from Nancy’s kitchen table and grew into a multi-channel retailer serving sewing and quilting enthusiasts around the world.

ABOUT TACONY CORPORATION

Founded in 1946 by Nick Tacony, Tacony Corporation is a privately held manufacturing and distribution company operating in four strategic business units: sewing, home floor care, commercial floor care, and ceiling fans. With more than 650 associates in 13 offices around the world under the leadership of CEO Kristi Tacony-Humes, Tacony’s mission is to create long-lasting relationships that are based on trust and feel like family. For more information, visit www.tacony.com.