Local plant shows proof of turnaround

Is the national economy starting to turn around? You bet it is. For proof you need look no further than 400 South Street in McCook, where the Parker industrial hose plant is experiencing one of its busiest periods since the 9-11 disaster.

In a turnaround that started in November and has gained momentum in January and February, Parker's employees are working overtim e to keep up with orders.

"We currently have 260 employees, and they've been good about working extra hours," said the plant manager, Dan Tangeman and the director of human resources, Jeff Crick. But, the employees can't keep up the pace indefinitely. Parker has already started adding employees, and recruitment will continue.

The upturn in business corresponds with a series of positive developments at the Parker plant. New equipment, a new process and a new role are all adding to the improvement in pride and performance.

As could be expected, there was some uneasiness -- among staff members and McCook civic leaders -- when Parker Hannifin purchased the hose company from Dayco in 2001. The questions raged: "What's going to happen?" "Will they change things?" "Will they downsize operations and lay off employees?"

The apprehension continued for several months. But, once the Parker company had a chance to demonstrate its way of doing business, acceptance has been growing.

A walk through the Parker plant shows why. The floors glisten. Employees are upbeat. Equipment is clean and well maintained. In its entirety, Parker-McCook is a manufacturing environment that is not only impressive to local visitors, but to company executives as well.

Just a few weeks ago, one of the Parker's top executives, Nick Van Steeg, came from Cleveland to tour the McCook plant. His reputation -- of being stern and demanding -- preceded him, putting the McCook staff and management on edge.

But Van Steeg didn't lower the boom. Just the opposite happened. Van Steeg went away with great respect for the way things are done in McCook, praising the plant as an example for pride and productivity.

A lot of things are contributing to the plant's success. To start with, McCook has the lead role in Parker's industrial hose division, supplying 80 percent of the company's production in that area. Parker-McCook has also benefitted from new machines, called "manipulators," that move heavy loads for employees, and staff and management are taking part in a new company-wide team process called "The Lean Initiative." New safety programs, wellness programs and the leadership of the new plant manager, Tangeman, are also keys to the turnaround.

For more than 33 years, the hose plant has been an important contributor to McCook's economic health, and it's good to hear than its record of success is continuing.