History
Founded in 1910 by George Simons, who developed a cleaner and a carnauba wax product for car finishes, along with Elmer Rich of the Great Northern Railway. The two organized the Simons Manufacturing Company. In 1912, Mr. Rich and his brother, R.J. Rich, acquired full ownership. They changed the name of the firm to Simoniz Company and located the first office and backroom factory at 2121 South Michigan Avenue in Chicago which was at the time was known as "Automobile Row". Elmer Rich used the prominence of radio to promote his product with the slogan "Motorists Wise, Simoniz". An Institutional Division was officially organized in 1954. This division offered a line of floor waxes, finishes, polishes, cleaners and sponges that were formulated and packaged expressly for business and public large-volume users. It was during 1957 that Vista One-Step Cleaner/Wax entered the market. In 1965, Morton International purchased the controlling interest in Simoniz Company, adding Master Wax-Detergent Proof and Smooth-Pre Softened products to the line. In 1976, Simoniz was acquired byIn popular culture
The term "Simoniz" or "Simonizing" has entered the public lexicon as a means to wax one's car. In “A Christmas Story”, Ralphie’e father appears slightly disappointed when he receives a can of Simoniz on Christmas Morning.References
External links
* {{Official website, https://simoniz.com/ Automotive chemicals Chemical companies established in 1910 Manufacturing companies based in Connecticut 1910 establishments in Illinois