Feature Article on Monarch Machine. Topic: INDUSTRY
& PEOPLE
Written by Rich Wallace in July,
1997
MONARCH MACHINE AND LOCAL COMMUNITY SHARED MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL PARTNERSHIP...Pg 3 |
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| Whipp concentrated
on making sure every employee felt a part of the 'Monarch Family.' He initiated a program
in 1918 so that employees could borrow money to purchase homes. The first of many Monarch
family picnics was held in 1919. To assure good attendance, Whipp paid employees a half
day's pay for bringing their families to the Saturday affair. On occasion, Whipp would
hire a train to transport Monarch employees and family members. However, the key to fostering the atmosphere of teamwork that Whipp wanted was his personal touch. He always knew the latest news about each employee, and he constantly reminded them that their contribution was critical to Monarch's success. One retiree remembered: "He was one of the best guys I ever knowed. That guy would do anything for you." Such management loyalty resulted in many employees working at Monarch for over forty years. Typical of these were Al Sherman and Jerome Raterman. Both started with Monarch during the war and worked there for over four decades, with Sherman becoming vice-president and Raterman president. The feeling of unity that Wendell Whipp generated among his troops stood the company in good stead during the inevitable bad economic times that always seemed just around the corner. Following World War I, employment held steady until 1921, when a vicious recession hit. In one week, the workforce at Monarch was reduced from 187 to 24 people. Many of those laid off worked elsewhere only until the call came from Monarch that they were needed again. [ Back ] [ Next ] [ Up ] [ New Search ] |
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Wendell Whipp |
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