Don't buy Sanford's crap if that the way they treat the community.

"quality is very poor"
As a former Sanford employee, this statement is very true. Certain products have been made and imprinted in Mexicalli for quite some time now and there have been many issues with this, which resulted in unhappy customers, many people converting to BIC (Sanford's competitor), and in the end, costing Sanford quite a bit of money. But yet we continue to send work to them. In addition, orders are sent to India and are returned to Sanford the next day and there are TONS of errors because they don't speak or understand English. This is a problem. I did enjoy my time at Sanford and was laid off about a year ago. This is a very sad situation.

Finally, Janesville is getting to know what hardships means. For many GM years, Janesville thought it was invincible. Welcome to the real world.

You (Janesville) now have to actually put in a greater effort to survive.

pete,
Yeah, that darn regulation...
Things like MINIMUM (poverty) Wage, decent labor conditions, safe work environment, lowered pollution levels, etc...
.
and yes, taxes that pay for decent schools, roads, water, public services, etc...
.
Don't let the door hit you on the way to YOUR paridise.
.

lost my job in 1979 at the Admiral plant in Harvard Il due to a move to Mexico... in 2008 lost my job again ( after 30 years) due to a move to Mexico..... Maybe down the road.. revenge will be sweet... quality is very poor,, turn over of personel is a huge problem.. safety is an issue.. I would think the cheap labor will be a thing of the past shortly

pete
Perhaps if we lower taxes and our standard of living comparible to those in Mexico more companies will stay.
.
What a great idea. Why don't you move to Mexico and let me know where I can find a neighborhood with comparible job opportunities, quality water, police services, education, roads, safe neighborhood, pools and parks for my kids, etc...
.
Sorry for responding to off-topic Pete, but I can't let that go.
.
Am I happy with how everything is going? No
Do I want things to change so we can compete with Mexico? Depends
Do I think there are more reasons than taxes for a company moving to Mexico? WITHOUT A DOUBT!

Petey, I don't know how you created this $40 million sum but you are misleading everyone.

Applause should be in order for those inspired individuals who are discussing the possibility of a new Parker Pen Company.
Janesville finds itself in the unique position of having at its disposal a pool of talented, experienced individuals who could restart this unique industry in the city where it got its initial start 120 years ago. Few communities in this nation have had that golden opportunity. To add, the legacy of this great company has not yet passed into dusty obscurity in the minds of many in Janesville.

The spirit of pride in commitment to quality workmanship, imaginative and creative
Innovation, and community involvement, still resonates with many in Janesville, as the
‘Spirit of Arrow Park’. Parker Pen seems to be remembered as more than just a holding company, or a brand name to be shuffled here and there. It is an institution of both profitable and historic value.
One wonders what amount of investment and corporate relocation to Mexico or India could possibly begin to purchase that kind of inspiration and commitment to excellence.

Finally, there has been a great deal of anxiety in the community over the loss of this historic icon. Perhaps it is wise to reflect on the words of Henry Ford who once advised
“Don’t find fault, find a remedy”.
Possibly the remedy in this case, could again put Janesville on the map, and catch the imagination of the public as a household name and maker of
“The worlds most wanted Pen!”

To learn more about Parker Pen company, check out interview with Geoffrey Parker: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3_O6PxlT... and Roger Axtell: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfD3pg21U...

infinitequotient -- I'm drunk and haven't even left the room...

Here's an idea for a game to play at the party: Drink every time you see a Newell/Rubbermaid product.

Pete, aka tool, please move to a highly profitable place for employers, where the infrastructure is at a level low enough to suit you and there are no laws to protect workers from on the job injuries, etc. Not everyone here wants the USA to become a Third World country just because big companies say that would be better for business. You may also want to open your eyes to some of the cynical gimmicks that big companies use to convince you that "high taxes" require giving them tax breaks to stay here. http://www.wisconsinsfuture.org/publicat...

I agree Frusion, that place was very nice inside. When I lived in Janesville, our high school jazz band played Christmas music during the Parker Pen Christmas lunch/party every year. I remember thinking what a great place it was. The people were very nice and welcoming. Seemed like an awesome place all around.

To get back to the story..... I am proud to say I worked at Parker for 10 yrs. I was in the skilled trades area and it was the best job anyone could ask for. I worked with a great bunch of people and the Arrow Park building infrastructure was state of the art. Air conditioned factory, heated sidewalks and steps from the parking lot, great break areas and rest rooms.... I will always miss that place. I worked hard and wrecked a lot of clothing, but I was well paid and respected for my efforts.

Don't be ridiculous. I'm not "glazing over" anything. Janesville is in a bad situation and there is no denying that.

I'll repeat my point, since you don't seem to get it. This story, while highlighting Janesville's woes, is mainly about the Parker Pen reunion dinner. I suppose you don't understand that though, since you are obviously a doom and gloom type.

There is a time and place for comments such as yours; but this isn't it. I agree with Optimism. Your posts = TACKY.

No problem. I was just trying to get Pete to relax. I most definitely do not think that WI taxes are fine.

I stated I was off topic but thanks for the reminder. I was just curious by your comment of "take a deep breath and it will be ok". I may have misread that to say WI taxes are fine.

Fruison - Thanks. Finally someone who can backup a post with links to data that supports your claims.

Don't assume to know what I'm "content" with frusion. I was merely pointing to the fact that Pete's comments, as usual, were veering off topic. This is a story about Parker Pen employees having a reunion dinner; yet it gets turned into negativity about Jim Doyle, the school board, the Ice Arena, etc.

You could also benefit from staying on topic.

justintimberlakerules:

http://www.newgeography.com/content/0075...

http://www.taxfoundation.org/taxdata/sho...

http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/t...

frusion- Please provide proof to backup your statement that WI is one of the highest taxing states in the country.

localboysince1968 and JustStoppingBy, beating up on Pete aside and off the topic of this story, you sound like you are content with WI being one of the highest taxed states in the US?

Pete, this is an article about a legendary Janesville company holding a reunion dinner, not a place for you to go spouting off about what a terrible state the city is in while posting the names and numbers of the city council members for the hundreth time on this blog. Take a deep breath, it'll be OK.

Pete - work hard and you too can earn enough to pay your taxes without complaining that they are too high. You should start a winery with as much whine that you put out.........

My Dad worked at Arrow Park for years, and I worked there 2 summers when I was in college. Great memories, and it was a big help with my education. I've lived out east for many years now. It's really hard to imagine Janesville without Parker and GM. They were the pride and the identity of the city.

Can we send Pete to Mexico too?

PETE....Tacky.

I started as an intern for the Parker holding company in the early 90's and was fortunate to have employment at Arrow Park until the Gillette closure in 1999. While it's been 10 years, I have lifelong friends because of the "family feel" the employees at Arrow Park had. Thanks Mr. Axtell for putting this together. I'm certain those who worked for many years will enjoy it.

"Parker Pen died in Janesville once the Parker sold it to the English investor 20 years ago. This is not Parker Pen. It is some cheap spin off with scab labor."
-
You should see the cheap, chincey Parker knock-offs that Sanford gets from China. As Jed Clampet would say...pitiful...pi-tee-fullll. It's a slap in the face to a quality product. They think nothing of slapping the Parker name and an arrow clip on a piece of junk.
-
I agree that Doyle chased them out. He's made it harder and harder for people in Wisconsin to live, work, and survive. Thank the deity of your choice that he's not coming back to screw us further, I just hope his replacement has some common sense and a heart.

Of course this company left because of taxes. Doyle has made Wisconsin a tax hell for business. That and the fact that they can get by with paying workers in Mexico for an entire day with what it would cost to pay an American for one hour. Plus no benefits. Isn't Globalization great?

My dad worked for Parker Pen as a shipping clerk, my grandparents were caretakers for the parker estate many years ago. I stll have a set of the pens.Wish my dad was still here to go to the reunion.

Pete - you sound like a savy business man who has a major, successful company that employees hundreds.....

Great idea!

Nice to see some closure for these employees.I worked at Besly Products(Besly Wells,Bendix Corp.)So.Beloit Illinois when (then owner)Jim Deeds sold out to a Korean Group(machines,jobs sent to Korea)we employees were basically shown the door.....Period.
Parker Pen have a great "reunion".

My grandfather worked for PP from 1915-1955 as a tool and dye maker. He would have attended this reunion in a heartbeat. He even played trumpet in the PP Band. How said that such a wonderful institution takes it's last bow.