Vornado Fans: Made in Kansas

With the recent purchase of a Vornado humidifier, I was surprised to notice that the company's excellent products are engineered and made in Andover, Kansas. That's just 150 miles from my home. On the heels of my post and source list about home goods made in the USA, I thought I'd share with you a little about this internationally-distributed product with local (to me) roots:

From Andover's KWCH 12, a behind-the-scenes look at Vornado, which was founded in Andover in 1989:

Vornado fans are assembled in the warehouse, just a few hundreds yards away from the design center but the plastic pieces are made elsewhere, many of them right here in Kansas.

"We wouldn't have a company without people putting product together," says Glen Ediger, Director of Design, Research & Development. Vornado's assembly line is made up of only a handful of employees. "So the assembly line is very simple in that each person has a task putting one or two things together," says Ediger.

The line starts with the fan's base. Down the line, the motor is screwed onto the base. Then, the grill is attached. The electrical cord is woven into the base and secured to the motor. Finally, a speed knob and the company's logo finish the fan. "By the time its gone down the line, not more than 15 feet, the product is together," says Ediger.

Oddly enough, in April of 1991 (just two years after Vornado's founding) Andover was tragically hit by 51 tornadoes. The Vornado name is a combination of "vortex" and "tornado".

Images: Vornado

Comments (13)

I bought one of these last year... the same model you are showing in the picture. It didn't make it even 6 months without the motor dying.

I bought a Vornado fan last year. There was a bit of an issue with it smelling funny, but their customer service was top notch in assiting me with my problem, and for my troubles they've promised me 20% off for life. I need white noise to sleep, so I use the fan daily and haven't had any issues since. Nice to know they're made in the US!

I have owned my Vornado for years and after thinking we paid too much for a fan...we paid to little!! This is a wonderful product.

This is awesome. I hope we keep hearing more about great stuff that's made in the USA.

(Some) Lasko fans, heaters and humidifiers are made in the USA, but not all of them.

I own several Vornado fans. I would recommend them to anyone. I actually bought mine at the end of summer clearance at Target. That made them more affordable. I have a small one I keep in the kitchen to circulate the air and cannot imagine not having it. It has made all the difference since menopause!!

I have a Vornado that died when it fell off a too-narrow window sill where I stupidly left it. They still honored the warranty and sent me a new one. I have good feelings about Vornado.

My grandparents live in Wichita, so we have always been a Vornado family. In fact, it's not unusual to receive one as a Christmas or birthday gift. They are that good.

Vornado products are amazing. We have fans, heaters & air cleaners. It's nice to
know they are made in America.

One thing I found out recently was that the brand Life Fitness was made in the Chicago suburbs. They are the largest work out brand and mostly made here. A few of their items are made in Hungary but I'm proud to know that a electronics fitness brand is made in the usa and my own backyard. I love hearing stories of American made stuff.

Ah, April of '91. Saying there were 51 tornadoes seems like a bit of an overstatement. I mean, I was only one, but I'm sure not all of them were full blown (no pun intended) twisters that touched down and wrecked everything. I know one of them, did, though.
On a positive note, I love me my Vornado fan.

I love my Vornados! Don't buy anything that claims to be similar--it's not (and it's be noisy)! Vornados are quiet and efficient.

I love my Vornado fans! Purchased the first one at Bed Bath & Beyond many years ago with one of their ubiquitous 20% off coupons... the following year, bought some other kind of fancy fan for the bedroom that was a little cheaper. What a waste of money THAT was! Several months later, I was back at BB&B with another coupon and another Vornado. It was money well spent. (And now that I know they're made in the USA, I like them even more!)