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1950s

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Friendship and Opportunity

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Our story begins with two friends in West Michiganwho had a dream for a better life for their families. Jay Van Andel and Rich DeVos launched theirbusiness in the 1950s selling NUTRILITE® DietarySupplements door to door. What they discoveredover 50 years ago still remains true today – thatpeople and relationships are at the core of anysuccessful business. By establishing trust with theircustomers, their vitamin business grew. By 1959 Rich, Jay, and their few associates lookedfor new product ideas to expand their efforts. Theresult was Amway's first home care product, whichtoday is called L.O.C.® (Liquid Organic Cleaner)Multi-Purpose Cleaner. It was an instant salessuccess story, opening up a whole new world of opportunity.

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1960s

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A Business Model Is Born

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Rich and Jay wanted to share their newfound successwith others who held their values and vision. Theycreated a unique business model that allowedothers to join Amway and participate in the benefitsof the expanding business. It became a model forreward and recognition that continues to bedeveloped in Amway markets around the world. Amway’s Home Care products, including the newlylaunched SA8® Laundry Detergent, proved to bebig sellers. Within a few short years, the companyhad more than 700 employees, over 200 exclusiveproducts, and more than 100,000 Distributors.Amway's annual sales rapidly expanded, exceedingUS $500,000 (estimated retail) for the first time.

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1970s

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Global Growth

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Persuaded by our values, caring, and thepotential of our business opportunity, moreand more people became part of the Amwayfamily. By the mid '70s, Amway trucks weretraveling more than 3.25 million miles(approx 5.23 million kilometers) per year,shipping products to millions of Distributors. The company expanded overseas, openingmarkets in eight countries on threecontinents. Amway launched in Australia in1971, swiftly followed by the UK, Hong Kong,and Malaysia. Amway Japan Limited (AJL),founded in Tokyo in 1979, quickly became oneof Amway's largest markets.