June 14, 2006
The year was 1956 and the TV quiz show the “Price is Right” debuted. This seemed to presage the start of Quill Corporation, which opened that same year thanks to a loan of $2,000 -- a truly  “right price” for a company today that is a $1 billion plus national office products leader. Over the course of these fifty years Quill has demonstrated a level of customer service and product innovation unmatched by the industry it serves, and is supported by the long-standing relationships it enjoys with the nation’s office administrators and managers.

“Since Quill first opened its doors in 1956 in that refurbished Chicago chicken coop, the cornerstone of this company has always been unparalleled customer service and product selection. Quill’s evolution mirrors the evolution of the American office, where new technologies and efficiencies were required as our customers changed, along with the products they required for success,” said Larry Morse, president of Quill Corporation.

To commemorate the anniversary year, Quill has undertaken a variety of special programs and activities, beginning with the “hatching” of “Clips,” the Quill Chicken, the official mascot of the 50th anniversary. Clips appears on signs recognizing the 50th anniversary throughout Quill’s Lincolnshire headquarters and its distribution centers. He also appears in Quill’s catalogs and flyers and on the Quill website. Clips’ costume was created by a Batavia, IL, costume shop so that the feathered friend could be available for unlimited appearances at local events and at company celebrations.

Clips made his TV debut in April, 2006, when WGN-TV broadcast a live remote for two hours from Quill’s corporate headquarters,  to capture the fun and excitement of its “Breakfast of Champions,” a competition that pitted Quill employee teams against one another, using office products as “sports equipment.” Clips added his personality to the event, which also included on-air interviews with Larry Morse.

Leading up to June 23, 2006, the “official” date of Quill’s business start, a week of activities are planned, including in-house trivia contests, prize drawings, free food and beverages and other giveaways. The celebration week will feature different events every day, including a presentation by Larry Morse, the unveiling of a commemorative statue, the presentation of proclamations from the State of Illinois and village of Lincolnshire, and the presence of Quill’s founders, the Miller brothers. Special vintage-era snacks and an appearance by Ronnie Rice, a rock-and-roll icon from the 50s, highlight the week. 

In addition to these events, Quill has made internal upgrades, including adding a walking path, to encourage a healthy workforce and more relaxed environment. “The 50th anniversary is a tribute to our employees, our customers and our vendors, who have played such a significant role in our success.  If the next 50 years is anything like the first 50 years, Quill is in for some amazing times,” added Larry Morse.

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