Customers have been counting on All Makes since 1918

A Russian immigrant who settled in Omaha more than a century ago founded a company that remains in his family today. Harry Ferer founded All Makes Typewriter Co., not far from where the All Makes Omaha showroom is located today. Among office machines he sold was the Ediphone, a then state-of-the-art dictating machine introduced in 1916. Ferer knew the machine’s inventor, Thomas A. Edison, and - family folklore has it - he visited Edison’s home.

When Ferer’s son-in-law, Lazier Kavich, joined the company in 1938, he added government surplus items along with used office furniture. It was during Lazier Kavich’s presidency that All Makes began buying and selling used office furniture across the country. As the company expanded and changed its primary focus, All Makes Typewriter Company was renamed All Makes Office Equipment Company in 1960.

A legacy of leadership

When Lazier’s son, Larry Kavich joined the company in 1965, he saw an opportunity to enter the contract furniture business. This added new furnishings to All Makes’ offerings of office machines and pre-owned furniture. Forty-two years after Larry Kavich joined family-owned All Makes, he turned over the top daily decision-making duties to his son, Jeff Kavich and his daughter, Amee Zetzman.

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 Urbandale, IA.

Together, as the fourth generation to run the family-owned business, Jeff and Amee’s responsibilities include participation in major projects as well as long-range direction to the continuing growth of All Makes.

Corporate timeline

1900     Russian Harry A. Ferer immigrated to Omaha.
1914     Started typewriter sales, rental and repair business.
1918     Founded All Makes Typewriter Co. at 1918 Farnam.
1938     Son-in-law L.A. (Lazier) Kavich entered business. Added office furniture to line of
               automated office machines.
1940     Lazier Kavich became president.
1943     Ferer retired.
1950     All Makes moved to 2558 Farnam St.
1960     Name changed from All Makes Typewriter Company to All Makes Office
               Equipment Company.
1962     Bill Fogel was President of the company until his 1984 death.
1962     Moved into former Rosen Novak Chevrolet building at 2558 and remodeled 2550
               Farnam. Started offering office design and decorating counsel.
1967     Opened Lincoln, Neb., showroom/branch store of new and used office furniture
               and office machines.
1965     Larry Kavich joined company his grandfather founded. Added new, high-end
               contract furniture.
1972     Opened Des Moines, Iowa, showroom and branch store, All Makes Office
               Equipment Co.
1983     Haworth Inc. Million Dollar Dealer award, 1983-2003.
1983     Larry Kavich became president.
1984     Allsteel Circle of Excellence Million-Dollar Dealer
1987     Opened off-premises Lincoln warehouse
1987     Haworth Blue Ribbon Award.
1988     Opened off-premises Omaha distribution center
1989     Pioneer Business Award from Salute to small Business luncheon
1989     Golden Spike Award from Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce.
1990     Completed 30,000-square-foot contract furniture renovation in Omaha.
1990     Opened 10,000-square-foot machine division showroom and service
               dept. in Omaha.
1990     Larry’s son, Jeff Kavich, joined company his great-grandfather founded.
1990     Named Top 50 Dealer in the industry publication “Office Dealer”
               magazine 1990-1997.
1992     Quality Improvement Process began.
1994     Larry’s daughter, Amee Zetzman, joined company as chief financial officer.
1995     Final phase of 13,000-square-foot mid-market showroom and general office
               renovation in Omaha.
1995     Recognized by communications Data Services Inc., Des Moines, for
               outstanding service.
1996     Completed 15,000-square-foot Lincoln contract furniture showroom/general
               office remodeling.
1996     Dealer of the Year. National Association of Office Furniture Dealers
1996     Small Business of the Year Award from Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce
1996     Salute to Family Business Award from Creighton University College of Business.
1998     Completed 10,000-square-foot “All Makes on 2” showroom in Omaha.
1999     Jeff Kavich named vice president and chief operating officer.
2001     Completed 15,000-square-foot contract furniture showroom office remodeling
               in Omaha.
2002     HON Company Award of Excellence.
2003     Midlands Business Journal “40 Under 40” recipient (Amee Zetzman)
2003     Relocated Des Moines store to nearby Urbandale, Iowa and opened 4,000
               square-foot facility and warehouse. Renamed store All Makes Office Interiors.
2003     Celebrated company-wide 85th Anniversary.
2004     Midlands Business Journal “40 Under 40” recipient (Jeff Kavich)
2004     Larry Kavich announced Chairman. Jeff Kavich announced President/CEO All
               Makes Omaha, and Executive Vice President for Lincoln and Urbandale.
               Amee Zetzman announced President/CEO of Lincoln and Urbandale, Executive
               Vice President/CFO All Makes Omaha.
2005     Completed 8,280 square-foot contract furniture showroom renovation in Omaha
2005     Completed 1,000-square-foot “All Makes Express” showroom in Omaha.
2005     HON Company, “Award of Excellence.”
2005     Haworth Company, “Masters Award.”
2005     WorkPlace Furnishings, Silver Certificate of Commitment.
2005     Runner-up “Best Place to Buy Office Furniture” recognition in Des Moines
               (Des Moines Business Record).
2006     HON Company, “Award of Excellence.”
2006     50 Year Better Business Bureau “Diamond Member” recognition.
2006     Haworth Company, “Masters Award.”
2007     Featured in National Print Publication, “Small Business Opportunities.”
2008     “Angels Among Us” Winner of All Makes’ $25,000 Nonprofit Office
               Makeover Contest.
2008     Completed 8,000-square-foot Omaha movable wall showroom and
               executive offices.
2008     Company Wide 90th Anniversary celebration.
2008     All Makes places 2nd in national fleet graphics competition.
2008     All Makes Omaha adds healthcare and education showrooms.
2009   “Friendship Home” Winner of All Makes’ $25,000 Nonprofit Office Makeover
               Contest.
2009     Design Director, Gretchen Golter, achieves LEED AP certification.
2009     World Renowned Designer, Jhane Barnes, presents in All Makes showroom.
2010     All Makes CopyStar to machine division line-up.
2010     Winner “Best Place to Buy Office Furniture” recognition in Omaha B2B Publication
               (five consecutive years).