Writing is on wall at Sanford
Parker history
Here is a partial history of Parker Pen:
1888: George S. Parker, a telegraphy teacher in Janesville upset with having to repair his student's faulty fountain pens, sets out to make a better pen.
1889: Parker takes out his first pen patent and becomes a pen manufacturer.
1892: George Parker and local insurance man W.F. Palmer become partners and incorporate The Parker Pen Co. in Janesville.
1918: Parker's sales pass $1 million.
1919: Parker begins construction of a new five-story building in downtown Janesville to house the manufacturing and administrative functions of the business. The building was renovated in 1982 and served as corporate headquarters until 1986.
1937: George S. Parker dies.
1941: Parker acquires the Valentine Pen Co. and the premises for manufacturing in Newhaven, England.
1942: The United States enters World War II, and Parker converts to wartime production.
1953: Parker opens its 226,000-square-foot Arrow Park plant with state of the art automated equipment and manufacturing systems. Arrow Park serves as headquarters for Parker Pen USA Ltd.
1986: Parker's United Kingdom investors and managers acquire the Writing Instrument Group. Based in Newhaven, England, the privately held firm's North American headquarters are in Janesville. The company becomes a privately held British firm with headquarters in England. North American headquarters remain in Janesville.
1988: Parker Pen marks its 100th year.
1993: The Gillette acquires Parker Pen Holdings Ltd.
1999: Gillette moves manufacturing of Parker pens to the United Kingdom. Gillette leaves its special markets division and a repair facility in Janesville.
2001: Newell Rubbermaid, a global manufacturer and marketer of consumer products, buys the Janesville operation and consolidates it into its Sanford Business-to-Business division.
2009: Sanford announces it will close its Janesville operation and move production to Mexico and administration to Illinois.
Photo
Sanford Business-to-Business employee James Wu operates an imprinter in October 2006. The company that engraves and imprints pens said it will close its Janesville operation early in 2010 and move production to Mexico.
JANESVILLE — Sanford Business-to-Business, the company holding the remnants of the Parker Pen dynasty built in Janesville, said Tuesday it will close its Janesville operation and put about 153 people out of work.
Sanford engraves and imprints a variety of writing instruments used for marketing, awards programs and gifts.
Sanford plans to move production to Mexico and administration to Oak Brook, Ill., sometime in the first three months of 2010, said Connie Bryant, public relations manager for Newell Rubbermaid, Sanford's parent company.
Employees learned of the decision Tuesday morning.
The Sanford operation is one of the last tangible remnants of The Parker Pen Co. founded in Janesville in 1892.
In 1986, Parker's investors and managers in the United Kingdom acquired Parker's writing instrument group to create Parker Pen Holdings Ltd. Gillette bought that company in 1993.
Six years later, Gillette announced that it would close its Arrow Park plant in Janesville and put nearly 300 people out of work. Gillette left intact a small part of its Janesville operation—the special markets division—and a repair operation.
In 2001, Newell Rubbermaid, a global manufacturer and marketer of consumer products, bought the Janesville operation and consolidated it into its Sanford Business-to-Business division.
"They didn't make any pens in Janesville," said Roger Axtell, a former Parker executive and a man well versed in the Parker history. "They marked pens, but it's still a loss for a community that can't afford any more losses."
A large portion of Sanford's business in Janesville was directed to the pharmaceutical markets, but recent lobby law changes crimped that market, Bryant said.
"A careful and thorough review of our office products business earlier this year indicated a strong need to improve efficiencies in order to remain competitive in a challenging economy," Bryant said.
"We have several manufacturing facilities that are underutilized. Both our consumer and business-to-business business, which the Janesville plant supports, have fallen, and we have to take the necessary steps to consolidate."
Bryant said the company's decision to move production to Mexico was complicated and not just based on labor costs south of the border.
"It's just not that simple," she said. "The facility in Mexico did the same products, and it came down to leveraging all of our resources for the most efficient operation."
Of the 153 employees in Janesville, many are on the administrative side. Bryant said some of them will be offered positions in Oak Brook, a Chicago suburb about 100 miles from Janesville.
"We understand how difficult this is on our employees and the community," she said. "This decision is a response to structural issues accelerated by market trends and is in no way a reflection on the highly valued work performed by our Janesville employees over the years."
Bryant said Sanford will help workers network with other employers, prepare resumes and polish their interviewing skills. It also will work with state and federal officials to access transition benefits, including continuing education and other programs.
Separation pay based on position and years of service also will be available, she said.
Axtell said many Parker retirees work at Sanford, which he visited last week.
"There will still be one remnant of Parker left in Janesville," Axtell said. "And it's a lasting, one-of-a-kind remnant if we can do something with it."
Axtell was referring to the components of Parker's "Path of Nations," which was donated several years ago to Rotary Botanical Gardens.
Once fronting Arrow Park, the path comprised flags and stones from the 85 countries where Parker Pen sold its pens. The path was never resurrected at Rotary, primarily because of funding issues, Axtell said.
Dave Jennings, Rotary Garden's executive director, said some of the flags are on display at the Janesville Academy for International Studies, a Janesville charter school.
"If we could do something with it," Axtell said, "it would be a great memorial to Parker Pen and the people associated with that company."
Aug 22, 2009 at 11:56 p.m.
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Not understanding why anyone would think they'd change the name of Parker High. It was named for George S. Parker. Just because his company doesn't exist, doesn't mean his legacy must also cease.
Evansvillehousewife...you're probably attempting sarcasm/humor with your comment. However, the racist overtone is unfunny and crass.
Aug 21, 2009 at 11:35 a.m.
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Parker High becomes Porker High, because we still have our farms, or Corvina's Hip Hop High, because ... well, just because.
Aug 21, 2009 at 10:19 a.m.
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Parker will be renamed Oaxaca High. Christmas vacation will be canceled and replaced by Cinco De Mayo.
Aug 21, 2009 at 9:57 a.m.
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momof5- I didnt know others were getting these benefits. Maybe cause the gazette doesnt tell us of this only gm stuff. Sorry I was bitter but until you told me others are getting stuff it doesnt seem fair to all the others to get nothing they all worked hard too. Just when you read the blogs all you hear is they worked hard and should get these bennies. Well others work hard too and should as well. Some ack like gm are the only ones that work hard. I do believe they worked hard unlike some of the bloggers that say they stand around all day. Well standing sround all day sometimes doing the same thing OVE RAND OVER does stink if you ask me and they should get paid decent. Just seems all you hear is poor gm people and not much of anybody else. I know this is partly gazette fault for not following up on OTHERS and not just gm. Sorry if I was sounding a bit bitter.
Aug 21, 2009 at 9:45 a.m.
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The recent news of the closing of the Parker Pen plants in Janesville and in Newhaven England, is the final chapter of a once highly successful story.
This is indeed sad for Janesville as well as all the employees and their families.
Many people will no longer be familiar with the maker of "The Worlds Most Wanted Pen" from Janesville or Newhaven.
For those of us who do, it is not a stretch to recall that the Arrow Park facility was once the headquarters of a name recognized throughout the world for quality writing instruments at an affordable price.
Some will remember the late Kenneth Parker utilized both imagination and
craftsmanship to develop a business that became a worldwide icon of success.
Under his direction, Parker Pen produced
well designed and tested products that caught the attention and enthusiasm of the international public, and he did it in Janesville.
Over the recent past, especially under the guidance of the last two owners the company seems to have lost that direction.
Short term decision making coupled with a focus on profits instead of value added development, will kill any enterprise.
It is interesting to note that research and development of some of Parker's smash hits in the pen industry took up to 10 years to complete. Incidentally, Parker sold millions, and the company made millions more in profits.Apparently no such motivation or interest from either of the last owners seemed to exist, despite their seemingly resource rich reputations.
What killed Parker Pen in my opinion was not 'Employee Overhead' it was a clear lack of imagination and innovation on the part of those who were in charge,namely the decision makers.
Kenneth Parker understood the quality improvement concept quite well,and demonstrated the model with convincing success.You can't succeed without constructive change and creative ideas. Demanding unrealistic profits from same old, same old simply does not cut it!
But as the old saying goes,"The customer forgets the price in 48 hours, he never forgets poor quality". Building a certain level of integrity into
into affordable Pens and writing products as well as producing luxury items is what Parker Pen was all about.
Parker Pen had an illustrious reputation of accomplishment for decades and firmly established itself as"The World's most wanted Pen".
Today’s business leaders could learn some valuable lessons from Kenneth Parker because he was a visionary. Rigid business theory devoted to profits alone will never replace that.
When will our business leaders wake up and start facing the simple fact that you still can't get something for nothing and succeed ?
I think Kenneth Parker and his father knew this, and they knew it instinctively.
Which is the reason Parker of Janesville was the once the home of
“The Worlds most wanted Pen”, and in my opinion, perhaps could be again given all the homegrown retired talent in the Janesville area.
Aug 21, 2009 at 9:02 a.m.
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When will Parker High School be renamed? Any suggestions?
Aug 21, 2009 at 6:24 a.m.
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Boycott the outsourcers!
CEO's that outsource American jobs, should be exported themselves!
It is a crime to export American jobs out of the country!
If no one in the US has a job, who will have money to buy your products?
Be patriots, and bring our jobs back to Americans!
If the failure of corporate America continues, those of us with jobs will be working for the Chinese at the ChinaMart Chinese product distribution centers.
Maybe we should be teaching Mandarin in the schools so our new Chinese bosses can tell us which bread line to stand in.
Aug 21, 2009 at 1:52 a.m.
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Oh yes, blame on the Mexicans, they have everything to do with it.
Aug 21, 2009 at 1:49 a.m.
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dfbhfzdfbdfb
Aug 20, 2009 at 5:51 p.m.
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hannah: You are WRONG! I know someone who has been on UEC since January and he keeps getting it extended. He is also getting his schooling paid for (to become recertified so he can teach science...apparently there is a large shortage of science teachers!!??). He has NOTHING to do with the auto industry or the UAW. Also, people laid off at Lear ar getting 2 or 2.5 years of UEC if they are in school (which is also being paid for). Same with Simmons. For someone who has their job tied so closely to the auto industry, your bitterness towards GM is a little confusing. I'm sure those in Kenosha who are affected by that plant closure (Chrysler engine) are "enjoying" the same benefits.
Aug 20, 2009 at 4:22 p.m.
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Originally posted by SwissChick:
"If all these jobs have been going south for all these years, why are they still crossing the border to come here? They have the jobs there. Just curious."
Aside from all the freebies this nation hands out (education, healthcare, yada, yada, yada...) it's still the land of opportunity.
Aug 20, 2009 at 3:57 p.m.
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opinionsforfree- ture what you said. I have stated in the past it seems you dont need any qualifications to be on the council. It is a form of government WHY wouldnt you need some for of government schooling??? It is just a popularity contest.
Aug 20, 2009 at 3:22 p.m.
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"Bryant said the company's decision to move production to Mexico was complicated and not just based on labor costs south of the border.
"It's just not that simple," she said.
.
Ah, excuse me. Oh, yes, it is!
.
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If all these jobs have been going south for all these years, why are they still crossing the border to come here? They have the jobs there. Just curious.
Aug 20, 2009 at 2:28 p.m.
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..see my post below
.
THIS is part of the reason why much of the world hates us, but "we", the citizens, unbeknownst to them, are not the problem, its the BARBARIANS that run these corporations and those that don't care as long as they get "theirs"(you know who you are)
Aug 20, 2009 at 2:24 p.m.
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lj- see we can agree sometimes. This is from a previous Sanford article.
I spelled check so you wont yell at me and OMG- YYYYYYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUU have missspelled a word. What would you like me to call you?? Stupid? Ljism, WHAT???
anyway here it is. I wasnt even looking just read the comment and agreed and thought I would bring it over here.
ljs64"I am sure Gov. Doyle will step in and offer extended unemployment and additional training and schooling resourses to all these affected employees. Everyone just hold your breath........
"
yes sure- only gm workers have worked hard enough to get this benefit you know.
Aug 20, 2009 at 2:16 p.m.
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also lj- it seems okay to rip on me all the time for my poor spelling but when I try to tell you to be quiet I get deleted yet youre rude comments always stay. I dont delete yours because I like everybody to see what a jerk you are for pointing it out all the time.
Do you get a gold star every time for always pointing this out? you must have a whole album of them by now!!
Aug 20, 2009 at 2:03 p.m.
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Wasn't it just a short while ago that a bunch of Mexican children died in a "daycare" fire in mexico in a windowless warehouse with no escape because mexico has NO STANDARDS...Children of the mexican workers of "American" companies..REAL NICE..
.
"American"(yeah right) companies moving to mexico....
***SEE WHAT YOU CAUSE***
Aug 20, 2009 at 2 p.m.
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ljs64- i see you sent some foul mouthed person to personally email me. I guess you dont like rude comments either cry baby. It seems you have 3 jobs how nice. You still have time to police out spelling. Is that one of the 3 jobs?
So anyhting to contribute to the story of more job lose in this city ??
byw- the byw that says thanks for you wonderful thoughts was sarcastic . Just letting others know this cause they might think you said something nice.
Aug 20, 2009 at 1:31 p.m.
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leftocenter & amg; Time for a gut check: All the chest pounding, Buy American, anti-NAFTA retoric doesnt change this: 90% of these posts are written by pure hypocrites. Here's why: When anyone of you needs something done at your homes - who do you call, a couple of contractors & guess what - they're NON UNION. I've said it before & I'll say it again; the one way solidarity bs in this town makes me want to puke. When its your wages its gimmee gimmee but when it comes time for you to write the checks - low bid all the way no matter who it effects. I would love to hear 1 factual claim out there of someone that had a union contractor do work at their house - it would be very hard - there are no union residential contractors here because they cant survive in this hypicritical community. no painters, no masons, no carpenters, no heating contractors, no plumbers, no roofers - should I go on. the ONLY union contractors able to "survive" here are the electricians because they've been strong historically in numbers here due to GM. Like clockwork for years there were 2 shutdowns & changeovers which required 100-300 electricians which created 10's of 1000's of dollars in income for them so this "made it worth it" for them to be union. Other than that, you can't name any that survive. Don't read into this, I love living here - I just cant stand the fact that people are so shortsighted. Solidarity right?! WRONG
Aug 20, 2009 at 1:24 p.m.
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It would be a nice if Sanford would endow enough for the "Path of Nations" rocks to be implemented in some way at Rotary Gardens.
Aug 20, 2009 at 1:07 p.m.
Aug 20, 2009 at 12:51 p.m.
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leftocenter: I agree. Let's not support these companies that take away jobs from Americans and give them to foreigners. If the product is not made in USA, I will boycott it.
Aug 20, 2009 at 11:45 a.m.
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I'm so sorry to everyone that thought they would be able to retire from Sanford after putting in as many years as they have. I'm even more sorry that its going to another country. Its tough times for everyone here and I hope everyone can figure out a way to get through it. My family is affected by this first hand and I know that we will do whatever it takes to hold it together. I wish all my friends at Sanford the best in their future endeavors. Keep your heads up!
Aug 20, 2009 at 10:18 a.m.
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Just another example of how bad off Janesville is. We are in trouble people!
Aug 20, 2009 at 10:09 a.m.
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btw- thank for your wonderful thoughts. I have a close family menber out of a job. Has been there LONG time.
Aug 20, 2009 at 10:08 a.m.
Aug 20, 2009 at 12:53 a.m.
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justaguy: I was thinking the same thing!
Aug 19, 2009 at 11:54 p.m.
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ljs64: All I ever see from you is ragging on people, are you that sorry of a person that that is all you have to do? maybe it makes you feel better?
Aug 19, 2009 at 10:10 p.m.
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I hope people in Mexico use a lot of pens, and that it has to be stamped on the package; "made in Mexico". Everyone! Start looking at labels! No matter how cheap the product, if it is not made in the USA, put it down and walk away. This is the only way that these companies are going to "get it", by consumers directly affecting their billfolds.
Aug 19, 2009 at 6:58 p.m.
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DOUBT............Geez.......Another hannah-ism
Aug 19, 2009 at 5:32 p.m.
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This stinks and hits close to home. Dought they would move to IL.
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