Harry Ferer founds All Makes Typewriter Co.
In 1918, Russian immigrant Harry Ferer founded All Makes Typewriter Co., just blocks from where the All Makes Omaha showroom is located today.
Among the products he sold was the Ediphone, a state-of-the-art dictating machine invented by an acquaintance named Thomas Edison.
Family folklore: Ferer and Edison may have been friends
Family folklore has it that Ferer and Edison may have actually been friends and that Ferer had visited the famed inventor’s home.
Ferer’s son-in-law, Lazier Kavich, joined the company in 1938, adding government surplus items and used office furniture to the mix.
The company was renamed All Makes Office Equipment Company in 1960 to reflect its expansion and broader product selection.
Entering the contract furniture business
When Lazier’s son, Larry Kavich, joined the company in 1965, he saw an opportunity to enter the contract furniture business, adding new furnishings to All Makes’ offerings of office machines and pre-owned furniture.
Leadership in the fourth generation
Forty-two years after Larry Kavich joined the family business, he turned over the top daily decision-making duties to his son, Jeff Kavich, and his daughter, Amee Zetzman.
As the fourth generation of leadership, their combined responsibilities include participation in major projects as well as long-range direction to the continuing growth of All Makes.
Jeff Kavich currently serves as the President/CEO of All Makes in Omaha. Amee Zetzman currently serves as Executive Vice President/CFO of All Makes in Omaha and President/CEO of All Makes in Lincoln and Des Moines, Iowa.
Serving customers in all 50 states, Canada and overseas
Nearly a century after its founding, the continuously family-owned All Makes still features state-of-the-art technology and now also offers a wide array of furnishings and fixtures for offices and industries in all 50 states, Canada and overseas.
Corporate Timeline
Russian Harry A. Ferer immigrates to Omaha
1900
Ferer starts typewriter sales, rental and repair business
1914
Ferer founds All Makes Typewriter Co. at 1918 Farnam Street
1918
Ferer’s son-in-law L.A. (Lazier) Kavich enters the business and adds office furniture to line of automated office machines
1938
Kavich becomes president
1940
Ferer retires
1943
All Makes moves to 2558 Farnam Street
1952
Name is changed from All Makes Typewriter Company to All Makes Office Equipment Company
1960
Bill Fogel begins serving as company president, a position he holds until his death in 1984
1962
All Makes moves into former Rosen Novak Chevrolet building at 2558 Farnam Street and remodels 2550 Farnam; office design and decorating counsel begins
1962
Founder’s grandson Larry Kavich joins company and adds new, high-end contract furniture
1965
Lincoln, Nebraska showroom/branch store of new and used office furniture and office machines opens
1967
Des Moines, Iowa, showroom and branch store, All Makes Office Equipment Co., opens
1972
Haworth Inc. Million Dollar Dealer award, 1983-2003
1983
Larry Kavich becomes president
1983
Allsteel Circle of Excellence Million-Dollar Dealer
1984
Off-premises Lincoln warehouse opens
1987
Haworth Blue Ribbon Award
1987
Off-premises Omaha distribution center opens
1988
Salute to Small Business Pioneer Business Award
1989
Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Golden Spike Award
1989
30,000-square-foot contract furniture renovation in Omaha
1990
10,000-square-foot machine division showroom and service dept. in Omaha opens
1990
Founder’s great-grandson Jeff Kavich (son of Larry Kavich) joins company
1990
Office Dealer magazine Top 50 Dealer 1990-1997
1990
Quality Improvement Process begins
1992
Founder’s great-granddaughter Amee Zetzman (daughter of Larry Kavich) joins company as Chief Financial Officer
1994
Final phase of 13,000-square-foot mid-market showroom and general office renovation in Omaha
1995
Des Moines communications company Data Services Inc. recognizes All Makes for outstanding service
1995
15,000-square-foot Lincoln contract furniture showroom/general office remodeling
1996
National Association of Office Furniture Dealers Dealer of the Year
1996
Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year1996
Creighton University College of Business Salute to Family Business Award1996
10,000-square-foot All Makes on 2 showroom in Omaha opens1998
Jeff Kavich named vice president and chief operating officer1999
15,000-square-foot contract furniture showroom office remodeling in Omaha2001
HON Company Award of Excellence2002
Amee Zetzman named to Midlands Business Journal 40 Under 402003
Des Moines store relocated to nearby Des Moines, Iowa; 4,000 square-foot facility and warehouse opens as All Makes Office Interiors2003
Company-wide 85th anniversary2003
Jeff Kavich named to Midlands Business Journal 40 Under 402004
Larry Kavich announced as Chairman; Jeff Kavich announced as President/CEO All Makes Omaha, and Executive Vice President for Lincoln and Des Moines; Amee Zetzman announced as President/CEO of Lincoln and Des Moines, Executive Vice President/CFO All Makes Omaha2004
8,280 square-foot contract furniture showroom renovation in Omaha2005
1,000 square-foot All Makes Express showroom in Omaha opens2005
HON Company Award of Excellence2005
Haworth Company Masters Award2005
Workplace Furnishings Silver Certificate of Commitment2005
Des Moines Business RecordBest Place to Buy Office Furniture runner-up2005
HON Company Award of Excellence2006
Better Business Bureau 50 Year Diamond Member2006
Haworth Company Masters Award2006
Best of B2B Omaha Best Place to Buy Office Furniture2006
Small Business Opportunities national feature article2007
Best of B2B Omaha Best Place to Buy Office Furniture2007
Angels Among Us wins All Makes’ $25,000 Nonprofit Office Makeover Contest2008
8,000-square-foot Omaha movable wall showroom and executive offices opens2008
Companywide 90th anniversary2008
National fleet graphics competition 2nd place2008
All Makes Omaha adds healthcare and education showrooms2008
Best of B2B Omaha Best Place to Buy Office Furniture2008
Friendship Home wins All Makes’ $25,000 Nonprofit Office Makeover Contest2009
Design Director Gretchen Golter achieves LEED AP certification2009
World Renowned Designer Jhane Barnes presents in All Makes showroom2009
Best of B2B Omaha Best Place to Buy Office Furniture2009
CopyStar joins machine division line-up2010
Best of B2B Omaha Best Place to Buy Office Furniture (fifth consecutive year)2010
International Interior Design Association Winner: Omaha City Center Industry Partner of the Year2010
Best of B2B Omaha Best Place to Buy Office Furniture2011
Farnam Collection (All Makes’ first-ever private label line) launches2012
Best of B2B Omaha Best Place to Buy Office Furniture2012
All Makes launches into Digital Document Management with Square-9 Softworks as reseller2013
Hon Company President’s Award2013
Best of B2B Omaha Best Place to Buy Office Furniture2013
Best of B2B Omaha Best Place to Buy Office Furniture2014
All Makes opens new showroom in downtown Des Moines, Iowa2014
All Makes redesigns Omaha showroom with HNI products including movable walls2014
Best of B2B Omaha Best Place to Buy Office Furniture (10 consecutive years)2015
Best of B2B Omaha Best Place to Buy Office Furniture2016
Best of B2B Omaha Best Place to Buy Office Furniture2017
Best of B2B Omaha Best Place to Buy Office Furniture2018
Best of B2B Omaha Best Place to Buy Office Furniture2019
Best of B2B Omaha Best Place to Buy Office Furniture2020
Best of B2B Omaha Best Place to Buy Office Furniture2021
Best of B2B Omaha Best Place to Buy Office Furniture2022