In 1927, Cousins Edward Knabusch and Edwin Shoemaker would design their first La-Z- Boy recliner.

The Monroe natives would refine their design until they hit pay dirt in 1961, with the rocker-recliner.

Sales catapulted from $1 million a year to over $52 million annually in the decade that followed. La-Z-Boy is still one of the industry leaders today.

Fred Sanders Schmidt has delighted Detroit with Sanders Candy since 1875. Sanders sweets are cherished all over the country and abroad.

Some of their choice creations are: Bumpy® Cake, chocolate candies, hot fudge toppings and the famous Sanders® Hot Fudge Cream Puffs.

In less than 15 years, Shinola Detroit has become an international icon.

Shinola’s initial offering was The Runwell watch in 2013. They opened their own in-house leather factory a year later.

The company currently offers an array of items like fine jewelry, leather goods, bikes and audio components, such as speakers and turntables.

Penske Corporation of Bloomfield Township is a global transportation services firm.

Ex- race car driver Roger Penske began his operation by purchasing a car and light-truck rental slash leasing business serving eastern Pennsylvania.

Since then, Penske has grown into a multi-billion dollar business. Among its operating divisions are rental, leasing, logistics and the automotive group.

Detroit pharmacist James Vernor started selling his signature soft drink after a successful tour in the Civil War.

Vernor described his ginger ale as “deliciously different.” The specialty soda enterprise was later sold but Vernor’s remains a monument to Michigan.

Vlasic is an Imlay City classic. For more than 80 years, Vlasic has produced its prized pickles for the public.

The pickle proprietor pioneered the practice of packaging pickles in glass jars.

The iconic Vlasic stork has delivered dozens of pickle varieties, peppers and relishes with many cuts, flavors, and sizes. And the legacy lives on.

Battle Creek brothers W.K .and John Harvey Kellogg came upon a new creation that would forever change our breakfast cereal.

While flaking wheat berries to make granola in 1898, they would create Corn Flakes. WK Kellogg Co. Is the creator of other American classics, namely Rice Krispies.

Benton Harbor’s Whirlpool Corporation is a national name known for quality and reliability. Whirlpool marks 113 years of operations this November. 

Michigan’s multinational machine maker owns trusted home brands KitchenAid and Maytag.

See Michigan Classics, Part I  https://nextmichigan.news/power/michigan-classics-part-i