Ellison Educational Equipment Inc. (Ellison), the parent company of Ellison Europe Ltd, is celebrating its 40th birthday in 2017. The leading die-cutting equipment manufacturers launched Sizzix in 2001, as a division of Ellison Educational Equipment, Inc.
Originally, Ellison’s first die-cutting machine was created for the classroom, alleviating teacher’s endless reliance on scissors to cut out shapes, numbers and letters for school projects, art classes and class room decorations. 40 years later, die-cutting has become an international craft sensation, being used across multiple making types and by makers of any experience.
To celebrate Ellison’s past 40 years, here’s some of the company’s biggest milestones to date:
1977 – The first ever, consumer hand-operated die-cutting machine was invented by Ellison.
1983 – Ellison’s first print add promoted the original Ellison die-cutting machine called the Ellison Letter Machine.
1994 – Ellison sells its 45,000th machine!
2001 – The launch of craft brand Sizzix and the original Sizzix Die-Cutting Machine.
2005 – Sizzix goes global as it expands into its European headquarters with Ellison Europe Ltd in Wrexham, North Wales.
2011 – 1 million Ellison machines sold!
2015 – The Sizzix Big Shot Plus Machine is launched, giving consumers a machine with a 9” wide opening.
2015 – 2 million Ellison machines sold!
As Ellison’s 2017 story continues, we look forward to another 40 years!
