On Parker Pen workers to enjoy last hurrah

Posted on October 20 at 3:41 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

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!”

On Writing is on wall at Sanford

Posted on August 21 at 9:45 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

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.