Our Story
Making Your World Work—Since 1979
The Start: Yash Shah’s Vision (1979)
In 1979, Yash Shah took a trip to India that set everything in motion. Visiting family, he saw a gap: American electronics—loved for their quality—wouldn’t work abroad, stalled by mismatched voltages, TV formats, and plugs. Back in Chicago, he spotted the same need among immigrants from Greece, Poland, Nigeria, and beyond, eager to send home blenders, boomboxes, and TVs. From a small storefront, Yash launched International Export House with a clear goal: to make electronics work anywhere. “A happy customer is the best advertising,” he’d say, rooting the business in honesty, value, and care.
Joining the Path: Nirav Shah’s Early Days
Nirav Shah, Yash’s son, grew up in that storefront’s buzz. Weekends started with lunch bribes from Yash, but soon Nirav was hooked—carrying boxes for tips, then solving bigger puzzles. A favorite? Converting overseas VHS tapes from PAL to NTSC so families could watch videos from home. “Seeing customers light up, sometimes in tears, showed me the impact we had,” Nirav recalls. Those moments drove home Yash’s lesson: listen, solve, and deliver. By high school, Nirav was a weekend fixture, mastering international electronics.
Turning Points: Resilience and Reinvention
The ‘80s and ‘90s tested that foundation. Word of Yash’s solutions spread, but competition surged—rival shops, some from ex-employees, crowded nearby, and rents soared. “Profit was tight, but Yash wouldn’t cut corners,” Nirav says. The shift came in Nirav’s college years. With basic HTML from a friend, he built 220-electronics.com in his dorm room—a side project that became a lifeline. By graduation—Yash’s firm requirement—the storefront closed, replaced by an Elk Grove Village warehouse, with 90% of sales online. “Those struggles pushed us forward,” Nirav reflects. “Without them, I might’ve been a stockbroker.”
Steering Ahead: Nirav’s Modern Mark
When Nirav joined full-time, Yash eased into finances, trusting his son to lead. Nirav refreshed the lineup—ditching old stock and adding region-free DVD players that delighted customers from movie buffs to universities. “The postcards we got from around the world? That’s when I knew we’d hit something special,” he says. Efficiency sharpened the edge: better pricing and streamlined service, all while holding Yash’s values tight. From a walk-in shop to a global e-commerce hub, the journey evolved without losing its core.
A Peak Moment: Beyond the Sale
The COVID-19 crisis proved that core’s strength. Nonprofits and hospitals called in a panic—oxygen machines and ventilators overseas needed voltage transformers fast. Led by Nirav, the team donated units and rushed supplies, powering life-saving care. “Knowing we helped save lives was humbling,” he says. It underscored the mission: 220 Electronics isn’t just products—it’s solutions that matter.
Chicago to the World: Where We Stand
Today, from Elk Grove Village near O’Hare, 220 Electronics blends Chicago’s diversity and Midwest grit with global reach. Those early Greek, Polish, and Nigerian customers shaped a purpose that now serves expats, embassies, and corporations worldwide. O’Hare’s runways speed solutions to your door, while the region’s honest spirit keeps the promise alive. Yash, now retired, cherishes family and faith and is proud of his values. “I’d hope he’d say, ‘You’ve done well. Keep doing it right,’” Nirav muses. After 46 years, the journey continues—making your world work, one border at a time.
Our People: Decades of Expertise
Behind every solution is a team that truly understands international electronics. Some of our key staff members have been with 220 Electronics for over 35 years, growing alongside the company from those early storefront days to today's global operation. The majority of our core team has been here for more than a decade, bringing deep expertise and genuine care to every customer interaction.
This experience matters. When you call with a voltage question or need help choosing the right converter, you're speaking with professionals who've solved thousands of similar challenges. They've seen technology evolve, helped families through countless relocations, and understand that behind every technical question is someone trying to make their electronics work in a new place. Our team's longevity reflects the same values Yash built the company on—treating customers right and standing behind our solutions.
From technical support to order fulfillment, this experienced foundation ensures that the knowledge and care that started in 1979 continues with every interaction today.
Timeline
- 1979: Yash opens the storefront.
- 1980s: Nirav joins, VHS conversions begin.
- Late 1990s: Nirav launches the website.
- 2020: COVID response powers ventilators.
- Today: Global reach from Elk Grove Village.
From Yash’s first step to today’s solutions—see how we can help you now.