MichiganRadio

Amway Turns 50 GRAND RAPIDS, MI (Michigan Radio) - Amway is turning 50 years old. Company leaders gathered at Amway's headquarters near Grand Rapids today to celebrate.

Amway is a company that provokes strong feelings. Supporters say Amway gives everyone the chance to run their own businesses and get rich.

Amway co-founder Rich Devos says he and his partner Jay Van Andel started the company with a shared belief in equality.

"For Jay and myself, the foundation began as it did with all of our employees," he says. "That we are all created by God, and we are all equal before him. We will all have to answer to him."

Critics have used statements like this to argue that Amway uses cult-like tactics to recruit new distributors. Amway has also had to fight off charges that it operates as a pyramid scheme. But, Amway continues to grow. The company reported more than $8 billion in sales last year.
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