Service Awards

Issue 1
2009
John Silvia wins the Herman
Koehl Award for Innovation
As taken from Hans Koehl’s address to the CT employees:
The Herman Koehl Award recognizes originality and innovation.
Originality requires challenging the status quo - that is, the existing
situation - and innovation requires a solution which is unique and
not obvious.
This year’s recipient, John Silvia, Engineer and Manager - CNC
Production, challenges the status quo and comes up with innovative
solutions just about every day he is at SPIROL. Here are just a few
examples - and I am sure there are more:
1. The datum point tooling concept with a double datum point for
part length and a single datum point for part diameter. The
features are:
• Tool holders (quick change) remain fixed;
• Knurling dies remain in the same position; and
• Shaving roll positions become fixed.
The benefits are:
• Simplification of set up;
• Reduced set up time; and
• Elimination of hundreds of special tools.
2. The development of a manufacturing technology for CNC
Insert production unique in the industry. The innovation is a
standardized system of manufacturing - from tool design, to
programming, to tooling holders - all of which John created.
This includes:
• A custom designed communication system between the bar
loader and work center (the CNC Machine);
• The tool design and CNC programming are created from
a data spreadsheet and part print, eliminating the need for
further engineering input;
• Custom designed tooling blocks that allow all sizes and series
of Inserts up to the machine capacity to be manufactured the
same way; and
• Custom designed tool holders with a positive stop against
the tool block, and specifically designed tooling inserts that
maximize rigidity between the insert and the holder.
The benefits are:
• Unmatched production cycle time (the fastest Tsugami in the
world);
• Very fast changeovers in both bar size and part (insert);
• Rigid tooling for consistent results and quality;
• High productivity and unattended operation, with the potential
to meet multi spindle productivity based on capital invested;
and
• Manning ratios to yield a labor cost/1000 pieces lower than
that achieved on multi spindles.
Hans Koehl presents
the Herman Koehl
Award to John Silvia.
In summary, it brings Insert production into the 21st century.
3. The design improvement of the 40 and 44 molded-in Inserts. The feature is:
• Moving the hexagonal flange from the end of the Insert to
the center of the Insert (Good ideas are often simple).
The benefits are many:
• Greater pull out strength – the flange at the top added
nothing to pull out strength and the flange at the bottom had
a very weak area between thread and flange. Since the
screw is engaged below the center flange, this weakness is
eliminated;
• The design uses considerably less raw material;
• Production problems, including burrs inherent to the old
design, were eliminated resulting in reduced cycle time and
increased productivity; and
• The Inserts can now be produced as family groups, further
reducing set up time.
John’s total contribution to SPIROL goes well beyond these
examples.
Standardization has always been a hallmark at SPIROL and
a significant contributor to our success. It is a concept not fully
understood and appreciated by many. John not only understands
the concept and appreciates its benefits (it is second nature to him;
it is not something he learned at SPIROL), but he took it to a new
innovative level, using technology available today and thereby
further enhancing its inherent benefits. An example is product
family groupings. The computer spreadsheet based implementation
program John developed for Inserts based on family groupings
resulted in:
• Faster and simpler changeovers;
• Improved productivity – low labor cost/1000 pieces; and
• Standardization of production.
It gives me great pleasure to recognize John Silvia and present him
with the Herman Koehl Award. My expectation is that this will not
be the last such presentation I will be making to John.
Congratulations John!
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SPIROL Connecticut News
New Employees
since previous issue
Robert Goldman 02/01/09
Josh Harrold
01/16/09
Shaun Houghton 12/10/08
Field Sales Engineer
Shipper, part time
Shipper, rehire
Home for the Holiday
Employees and retirees
alike enjoy the comfort food
served at the luncheon.
December 11, 2008 – SPIROL CT employees enjoyed a
“Home for the Holidays” theme luncheon, with ham, potato
and vegetable provided by a caterer, but all the sides
prepared by SPIROL volunteers. There was much to eat,
recipes to swap, and leftovers - just like home!
All attendees were given a construction paper strip, or “link”,
on which to write their name, and then all the links were
joined together to form a chain. While it was a traditional
hand-made holiday decoration, it was also a fitting reminder
that we are all dependent on one another and to keep the
chain strong, we must give it our very best effort.
Service Awards
At the luncheon, Service Awards were presented to:
Brian Finn – 3 years
Michael Lentini – 5 years
John LaRochelle – 5 years
Suzanne Mason – 35 years
Chuck Wells assembles the
paper chain links.
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Jim Shaw “roasts” Suzanne Mason for her role as Centralized Credit Manager North America.
Everyone gathers around
the “hearth” in the front
office for the awards
announcements and raffles.
SPIROL Connecticut News
Spring Awards Event
March 19, 2009 – SPIROL CT employees brought in the
Spring with an afternoon of multiple celebrations. Multiple
suggestion awards, service awards, a Retirement Party for
John Fitzgerald (see next page), and most significantly, the
celebration of the LAST day of winter.
Suggestion Awards
At the Spring event, Suggestion Awards were presented to:
Michael O’Keefe Eliminate paraitic power loss
Michael O’Keefe Improve manufacturer ID on equipment
Michael O’Keefe Improve quality, serviceability and
assembly of HM machine
Joe Shaw
Eliminate chips mixed in with parts
Joe Chepolis
Tracking of certain Insert knurls
John Rzepa
Heat loss in receiving area
Keith Lussier
Eliminate pins falling behind hopper
Ken Mayo
Hole in roof of Salt Spray room
Cindy Bellisle
“Hands” around feeder bowl
Jen Worden
Reducing paper consumption
Service Awards
At the Spring event, Service Awards were presented to:
Jen Worden
3 years
George Morris
5 years
Jaime Santa Maria
5 years
Seth Walker
5 years
John Hess
15 years
Barry Hopkins
25 years
Mark Avery presents
Suggestion Award to
Michael O’Keefe.
Joe Shaw receives
Suggestion Award
from Mike Woznicki.
Bill Hunt presents
Suggestion Award to
Jen Worden.
Keith Lussier receives
Suggestion Award
from Mike Woznicki.
The following day, Jim Shaw presented the Service Award
to John Rzepa.
15 years
Jim Shaw presents John
Hess (above) with the
Service Award for 15 years
of service, Barry Hopkins
(left) for 25 years of service,
and John Rzepa (right) for
15 years of service.
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SPIROL Connecticut News
A Fond Farewell
March 19, 2009 – John Fitzgerald chose the first day of
Spring, March 20th, to retire after 37+ years as Grinder in
the CT Machine Shop. It was a fitting day to make a fresh
start in a new way of life. At the time John was hired in
June 1971, he had very little experience as a Grinder. As
the parts became more complex over the years, he started
to study at lunch time and at home from the “Machinery’s
Handbook (18th edition)”. He self taught himself as he
went along. John has always been grateful to SPIROL for
the opportunity to learn a trade – to read a blueprint and
then actually create a part.
John is also a musician (mostly guitar). He has played in
several bands over the years, but now plays for his own
enjoyment. John and his wife each have Vespa scooters
and enjoy spending time riding together and with a scooter
club they belong to. He also enjoys astronomy and has
several telescopes. John certainly has many interests to
keep him busy as he starts his retirement, and we wish him
the very best.
We all wish John the very best in his retirement!
Bird House Making Contest
March 19, 2009 – SPIROL CT held a bird house
making contest. Mike Woznicki, Manager of EHS,
felt it would be a great add-on to the newly cleared
land which resulted from soil remediation late in
2008, as well as align our efforts with the State
of Connecticut Green Award which was
received in 2008.
Eight employees entered bird houses for the
contest. The winner (President’s Choice) was
Jody Dubreil, Coiled Pin Set Up Mechanic,
for best craftsmanship. Honorable mentions went to Tim
Jordan, Tooling Manager, for his birdhouse that incorporated
the SPIROL design concept (with coiled pin-hinged door),
and to Bill Hunt, VP-Finance, for most organic design with
his carved burl birdhouse. A Lowe’s gift card went to the first
place winner.
We will create the SPIROL Nature Conservation Area and
the bird houses will bring wild life for all to enjoy.
The three winning bird houses designed and built by (left to right)
Jody Dubreil, Tim Jordan, and Bill Hunt.
SPIROL California News
Service Award
Who says SPIROL is for the birds?
Barbara Winchester 20 years
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Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after
others have let go.
— William Feather
SPIROL Ohio News
New Employees
since previous issue
James Smith
Bill Gedeon
Justin Singleton
02/11/09 Machinist, part time
02/10/09 Inside Sales Engineer
02/16/09 Sales Application Engineer
Service Awards
since previous issue
Jen Desimio
Chuck Daff
Jared Bennett
Andrea Graham
Brad Deisz
Tabatha Finnegan
Jackie Keller
Kathy Makebakken
Jim Tonge
Scott Bartow
Scott Brannon
Jim Adolph
3 years
3 years
3 years
3 years
3 years
5 years
5 years
10 years
15 years
20 years
20 years
30 years
Incumbent Worker
Training Program
Through the State of Ohio Department of Development,
the Shim Division received an Incumbent Worker Training
Grant. Since December 2008, SPIROL OH employees have
completed 220 hours of training.
The Ohio Incumbent Worker Training Program is a grantbased economic development effort that seeks to provide
financial support to businesses for employee training. Grants
are issued through the Ohio Department of Development,
and allow the state to make strategic investments in
companies to increase employees’ occupational skills, while
simultaneously, positioning local businesses to compete in
the global marketplace and grow Ohio’s economy.
Birth Announcement
Suggestion Awards
Suggestion Award winners in the areas of safety,
production, and quality are:
Julie Frederick
Tabatha Finnegan
Jim Tonge
Jackie Keller
College Grad
Jen DeSimio, Customer Service Representative, received
her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from
Anthem College in November 2008. Jen has been with the
company for 3½ years.
September 10, 2008 – Tim and Tabatha Finnegan, along
with big sister, Allison, welcomed Katelynn to the family. Katelynn weighed 7 lbs., 7oz. and was 18 1/2” long.
Tabatha said that Katelynn was born on her wedding
anniversary, and as a dedicated SPIROL employee she
worked until lunch time while in labor before the doctor told
her to go to the hospital.
Congratulations to the Finnegan Family!
The Few...
Toys for Tots
Andrew Daff, son of Chuck Daff,
successfully completed basic
training in the U.S. Marine Corps
in June 2008.
Christmas 2008 – Employees in Ohio supported the U.S.
Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots Program for the holiday fund
raiser. Employees had an option to donate a toy and/or
purchase tickets for the 50/50 raffle which was won by Paul
Hooper, the winner of $237.50. Paul was kind enough to
donate some of his winnings to Toys for Tots. The total
amount for the fund raiser was $315.
5
SPIROL Ohio News
Reorganized Laser Work Center
During the production shutdown this
past December, a rearrangement
and cleanup in the Laser area was
completed.
In the old arrangement, a material
rack (in blue) was facing the loading
pallet on each Laser machine, with
a small space between them. The
space was barely enough to place
a skid of 4’ x 8’ steel. Also, material
could not easily be loaded from the
pallet into the rack. Also the back of the two racks were on
the aisle, effectively narrowing the aisle decreasing access
to the department.
Those taking part in the activity included Bill Sulesky, Paul
Hooper and Chuck Daff.
The new arrangement accomplishes
the following:
•
•
•
•
•
Opens up some much needed space
Increases forklift access
Moves the scrap hopper to a location between
the lasers for quicker scrap disposal
Increases access and use of racks
Eliminates trip hazards
Tribute to a Centenarian
Grandmother of Chuck Daff, Production Foreman, made
the news. Here are excerpts from the local newspaper:
Austintown woman marks 100 years with party, video
Conkey said a birthday video was made and shown at the
party highlighting Daff’s life. There was also a large display
by the hall entrance with many photos showing different
events Daff has been at during her life.
By Bob Coubland, Tribune Chronicle, January 14, 2009
AUSTINTOWN, OHIO - Mabel Daff is known by many of her
family and friends as a woman who always had a positive
attitude and was always happy with a shovel in her hand,
planting flowers in her garden.
Daff said she was
blessed with good health
and said she always
had the philosophy of
working hard and having
a positive outlook.
More than 150 people, including five generations of family
and friends, gathered recently at the Eagles Hall to celebrate
Daff’s special birthday. In attendance were three of Daff’s
children, Jeanetta Haselow, who came back to the area
from Florida, Leo Daff of Coitsville and Harry Daff Jr. of
Austintown.
“I figured it was important
to always work hard
and not complain,” Daff
said.
Daff said that having everyone come together despite the
bad winter weather made her birthday special.
Many people say they cannot believe Daff is 100. “When we
took her to the foot doctor she couldn’t believe she was 100,”
Leo said. He said his mother at one time had not been to a
doctor in 42 years.
Daff was born Jan. 12, 1909, in Blaine, Pennsylvania. She
and her late husband, Harry, came to Youngstown in 1929. They moved to Austintown in 1976.
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Karen Conkey, one of the 17 grandchildren, said Daff also
has many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren
some of whom came from other states for the party including
Florida and North Carolina.
Mabel Daff passed away on April 1 after suffering a stroke
on March 29. Although she will be missed terribly by
family and friends, she did live a long and healthy life.
Our condolences to Chuck Daff and his family.
SPIROL Mexico News
Christmas Festival
December 6, 2008 – The Christmas
holiday was celebrated at the SPIROL
México facility on a Saturday. The party
started at 1 pm and lasted until 9 pm. Party games, gifts, good food, and, of
course, dancing and karaoke made
for a memorable celebration. Jack
Fedinandi, Treasurer, was there to
join in the fun...but not the singing and
dancing.
Above: Everyone gives their full attention to the karaoke
singers.
Left: Magdalena Barrón and José Angel Morlett sing
during the karaoke competition. It was Tino (not
pictured) who won the singing contest.
Everyone has fun on the dance floor moving to
música Bailable.
Transfer
José takes
center stage...
Luis Resendiz who was originally hired as a set-up mechanic,
was assigned as our QA Engineer in mid-February.
New Employee
since previous issue
Victor A. Garcia Vargas 02/16/09 Northern Mexico Field Sales Engineer
...then it’s
Emilía Muñoz
in the middle.
Service Awards
since previous issue
Jorge Leon
SPIROL Canada News
Service Awards
since previous issue
Ray Coote
Greg Heuchen
Sarah Imeson
3 years
3 years
3 years
The future depends on what we do in the present.
— Mahatma Ghandi
3 years
SPIROL China News
Birth Announcement
February 14, 2009 – Cho and
David LaFleur welcomed
Xavier to the family at
1:40pm. Xavier weighed 3.2
kg (just over 7 lbs.) and was
51 cm long (about 20 inches). Mother and baby are both
doing very well!
Congratulations to the LaFleur Family!
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SPIROL England News
New Employees
CORBY
Vacláv Kraus
04/28/2008 Laura Nunn
06/16//2008
Kinga Zamoyska 07/01/2008 Product Administrator-
OEM
Order Fulfilment Process Specialist
Distribution Field Sales Manager
Service Awards
February 2008
Jo Hepple
Angela Smith
Emma Basford
Joanna Kennedy
Sean Wood
August 2008
Pam Sinclair
Bill Dunn
December 2008
Les Hill
Lennie Barker
Karen Loake
Ian Martin
David Eccleston
10 years
5 years
5 years
5 years
3 years
5 years
3 years
30 years
25 years
3 years
3 years
3 years
Right, from top to bottom: Andy Freeman
presents Service Awards to Jo Hepple for
10 years of service, Les Hill for 30 years of
service, and Lennie Barker for 25 years of
service.
Spirit Awards
February 2008
Dave Eccleston, Toolmaker, was
presented with a Spirit Award to
thank him for his contributions to the
Halesowen site when his supervisor
was absent for illness for several
weeks.
Martin Adams, Press Setter also
received a Spirit Award for his hard
work to cover for his colleague who
was suddenly taken ill and absent for
several weeks.
Darren Graham, Metal Forming
Setter, was presented with a Spirit
Award in recognition for the leadership
he has shown in taking the
responsibility of two work
groups (RST X and RST M) and
in training Ian Sinclair and David
Bolton (operators). He achieved
the above despite losing two of
his colleagues.
The
following
employees
from the Corby office were
nominated for a Spirit Award by
their colleagues in France:
Joanna Kennedy, now Order
Fulfilment Supervisor, received
a Spirit Award for her proactive
approach for on time delivery to
French automotive customers.
Ian Martin, Quality Technician,
for the prompt service provided
to the French office with regards
to quality paperwork, and the
work he has done to welcome
French customers visiting the
UK site.
Birth Announcement
27th February 2009 – The
Sinclair clan has expanded
with the arrival of Phoebie, 6
lbs., 13 oz., a granddaughter
to Pam Sinclair, Corby
Receptionist. Big brother,
Cason is very proud!
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Congratulations to the
Sinclair Clan!
Promotion
It is with pleasure that I announce the election of Andrew
Freeman to the position of Managing Director (MD) of Spirol
Industries Limited by the Board of Directors at its meeting on
February 5, 2009.
— Hans H. Koehl, Chairman
Congratulations Andy!
SPIROL England News
Pig Roast
14th September 2008 – SPIROL UK celebrated the
SPIROL 60th Anniversary with a Pig Roast at Woodside
in Kenilworth (Warwickshire). The location was chosen for
convenience for employees
from both the Corby and the
Halesowen sites.
The original Edwardian country
house provided a perfect
setting for a relaxed family
Sunday. Employees and their
families first had a few drinks in
the conservatory and once it had been confirmed that the
roast did not include the head of the pig, they enjoyed the
buffet lunch followed by a birthday cake and coffee in the
garden. The weather was nice and the patio inviting, so all
retired to the patio area for a few more drinks and games
in the beautiful tranquil grounds. And it was not only the
children who enjoyed playing Giant Jenga, Pitch and Putt,
and boules.
Woodside
Edwardian House
The pig doesn’t look
like a pig any more.
Below: Lennie Barker, Metal
Forming Setter, tries to take King
Arthur’s magic sword, Excalibur, out
of the stone.
Clockwise from above: Fine dining on the patio. Dorothy and Les Hill, Toolroom
Supervisor; Colin and Pam Sinclair, Receptionist. Jo Hepple, Product Administrator, has
her go at the Giant Jenga as Joanna Kennedy, Order Fulfilment Supervisor, watches.
Javier Raposo, Business Development Manager - Coiled Pins, has his go. Celine
Correau watched by her dad, Marcel Correau, Warehouse Supervisor, Chris Feeney,
Operations Manager, and her sister Danielle Correau. Sean Wood, Stores Operative,
Celine Correau and Alan Lowden, Stores Operative,
navigate Connect Four.
9
SPIROL England News
20-Year / Retirement
Dinner
3rd February 2009 – The Annual 20-Year / Retirement
Dinner was hosted, by popular demand, at the Lake Isle
Hotel and Restaurant in Uppingham. There were no new
comers but the regulars enjoyed their annual get together
to reminisce.
Automation Showroom
Left to right: Ian Sinclair,
Metal Forming Setter;
Vacláv Kraus, Product
Adminstrator-OEM;
Lenny Barker, Metal
Forming Setter; and
Malcolm Hupman,
Automation Technician.
22nd January 2009 – SPIROL Corby opened the new
installation equipment customer demonstration room.
Above, left to right: Bill Hunt, Vice President Finance;
Andy Freeman, Managing Director; and
Les Hill, Tool room Supervisor.
Right: Lennie Barker, Metal Forming Setter.
Our equipment division was started over 40 years ago
because customers had a difficult time getting our
components into their assemblies cost effectively. As part of
Spirol Europe’s overall sales development plan, we opened
a new showroom to present our installation and automation
equipment.
Our main focus in sales is to show our customers how our
products improve the quality of their assemblies and lower
their total manufacturing costs. Our installation equipment is
a significant aspect of this strategy. The main goal with the
showroom is to professionally demonstrate to customers how
Spirol can enhance their competitiveness through improving
productivity using our installation equipment.
Above: Retirees Dick
Wallace and Bob Hays.
Right: Pauline Blachford
and Hans Koehl.
In the showroom we have 7 machines aimed specifically at
pin and insert installation. For the pins we have our PR, PM
and HC machines, and for the inserts our HA, HP, HM, TM. As well as being a focus for customer presentations, the
equipment will also be used for internal training purposes so
that all of Spirol Europe’s sales team are able to understand
and sell the equipment confidently.
John Firlik was responsible for arranging the details of the
project and once everything was in place he visited Spirol
UK to set up the machines properly. John also provided
extensive training to Vacláv Kraus who will be the main
contact for customers as the Automation champion for
Europe. All the decoration and fitting work for the room was
undertaken by Spirol staff. A special thanks to Malcolm
Hupman, Lenny Barker and Ian Sinclair for that, as well
as Chris Feeney who organized it.
Above: left to right: Dave Dickson, Metal Forming
Setter; and retirees Kath Earl and John Martin.
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Right: John Evans, Metal Forming Setter.
Spirol Europe is confident this room will help to sell our
installation equipment and that it will show customers clearly
our main strengths, capabilities and what makes Spirol
assembly solutions special.
SPIROL France News
SPIROL Diversity News
Birth Announcement
Our Favorite Things
13th November 2008 – Laure
Dorilleau, Product Administrator,
and husband Jérôme welcomed
their new baby girl, Elise, a little
sister to Mathilde who is clearly
very proud of her.
Thank you all for participating in the Favorite Things Survey.
We received 101 responses, with the top two in each category
detailed below.
Congratulations to the
Dorilleau Family!
Service Awards
February 2008
Michel Kostrzewa
Charlyne Guillemart
5 years
3 years
Spirit Awards
February 2008 – Loïc Bourdon, Product Administrator to
the German and Eastern European markets received an
award for covering for the position of Product Administrator
to the French and other European markets while the position
was vacant for several months.
60th Anniversary
In February 2008, SPIROL SAS put up the 1948 – 2008
banner and shared a birthday cake for the occasion.
Favorites
Color
Pet
Day of the week
Beverage (off-time)
Snack
What to do with free time
Flower
Music
Top Two Responses
Blue
Dog
Saturday
Alcohol
Chips/Crisps
Family/Friends
Rose
Rock & Roll
47%
66%
54%
30%
26%
48%
32%
55%
Red
Cat
Friday
Water
Fruit
Sports
Wildflower
Country
19%
25%
25%
27%
20%
20%
22%
19%
It is interesting that for all our differences
– from the United States to Canada
to Mexico to the United Kingdom to
France to Germany and to China, we
are also very much alike.
What better way to develop effective
working relationships with diverse
people than to focus on our similarities
rather than our differences!
Elvis, the rockin’
wannabe Hound Dog
Please don’t misunderstand. There are great synergies and
benefits to be found by appreciating our diverse skills, talents and
contributions – but as with anything, balance is important. Let’s
remember how alike we all are. This will create a starting point
for understanding and appreciating diversity in the workplace.
In the economic times that we are living now, it is critical that
we all work together as a cohesive team, and sometimes this is
difficult when we dwell on the differences. Try taking a look at
your coworkers or staff with new eyes.
Think about the factors that you share in common with them.
You’ll find:
• You are all human beings with complex emotions, needs,
interests, outlooks, viewpoints and dreams. Share
something about yourself to create an environment in
which your coworker wants to share information with you. Listen and don’t pry. Polite and continuing interest in your
coworkers contributes to workplace harmony.
• We all have family and other interests outside of work. Hear what your coworkers tell you about their personal
lives. Remember the highlights to demonstrate respect
and interest in them.
Left to right: Andy Freeman, Managing Director; Richard Meier, Sales Engineer
Germany & Eastern Europe; Michel Kostrzewa (holding the banner), Stores;
Charlyne Guillemart, Order Fulfillment Process Specialist; Marie T Alvarez,
Order Fulfillment Process Specialist; and Laure Dorilleau, Product Administrator.
Work is more exciting when you feel as if you are accomplishing
mutual goals. Act as if you are part of a winning team. Emphasize,
with coworkers, your common interest in your success and the
success of the organization. You’ll get to know people as people
if you participate and engage together.
Ref: Diversity in the Workplace: Search for Similarities, by Susan M. Heathfield
11
SPIROL Scholarships
Scholarship Recipients – Where Are They Now?
1999 Scholarship Recipient, Kelly Shaw-Wade, is recognized in a Boston neighborhood newspaper:
Pinkergreen not scared of falling into the red after South End move
By Brandon Simes, South End News, January 7, 2009
BOSTON - The name “Pinkergreen”
sounds like an amalgamation of
the classic consultancy firm and a
colorful splash on a middle school art student’s page. As it turns
out, that’s not so far off.
Pinkergreen Design, formed by two Boston University graduates
in 2001, is a creative consultancy that specializes in branding.
Not necessarily in David D’Alessandro’s harsh Brand Warfare
sense, but in a unique style that meshing a creative background
with the goal of economic success and expansion produces.
“I wouldn’t have done something this creative,” she said. “I
would have designed it myself, but hiring a company ends in a
much better product.”
In that sense Pinkergreen’s two owners, Melissa Jordan and
Kelley Shaw-Wade, packed up shop and moved to the South
End at the end of 2008, a decision about which the two remain
ecstatic.
In addition to work in the South End, Pinkergreen has formed
a solid relationship with the city of Boston, working on several
different projects. Last year the Egleston neighborhood hired
Pinkergreen to develop a logo, banners, an installation to the
central square, and a shopper’s guide, said Shaw-Wade. The
project is still ongoing, and Pinkergreen is currently working
with five individual businesses in the Egleston area through the
Boston Main Streets program.
“We’re pretty much thrilled,” said Shaw-Wade of the move to
the 46 Waltham St. building Pinkergreen inhabits, which she
said is filled with artists. “It’s nice to be in an environment where
everyone is inspiring each other.”
Shaw-Wade explained that the branding of individual
neighborhoods in Boston is vital in order to prevent lesserknown parts of the city such as the Egleston area from getting
lost in the shuffle.
Jordan and Shaw-Wade decided to move their business to the
heart of Boston because of their relationships with the city of
Boston and several South End businesses.
“It’s pretty easy to tell when you’re in a certain neighborhood
in Boston,” she said, explaining the importance of branding
forgotten areas as unique and worth visiting.
“It’s sort of like the hot bed of all the creative businesses,” said
Jordan. “Pinkergreen does a lot of business in the South End.”
Despite the current recession, the founders of Pinkergreen
remain bullish on their prospects in 2009, thanks in part to
their success so far with the Boston Main Streets program and
their South End neighbors, as well as experience with tricky
economic times. The two BU alumnae graduated in 2001, right
as the last recession, in 2002, started shaping American lives.
A perfect example of what Pinkergreen does comes from a
South End salon, Anita Kurl. Jordan and Shaw-Wade helped
with a storefront redesign last October.
Using elements of Anita Kurl’s interior design, which features
cobalt blue walls, Pinkergreen created a new identity that helped
spruce up the salon’s image. The storefront has the salon’s logo
on every window and the top is covered with circles that look
like bubbles in different shades of blue and white.
The connection between Anita Kurl and Pinkergreen took root
in part in a grant program called The Storefront Improvement
Program created by Boston Main Streets. The program helps
businesses improve their storefronts or signs and awnings. The
Washington Gateway Main Street runs the application process
for the South End and awards grants of various sizes - sometimes
up to half the cost of renovation with a cap of $5,000.
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Amiee Pandey, Anita Kurl’s owner, told South End News in
October that had she not received the grant, she probably would
not have hired Pinkergreen to design her storefront.
Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming
them is what makes life meaningful.
— Joshua J. Marine
“We graduated literally in the year before,” said Jordan. “We
honestly don’t know any different...It’s easy to be optimistic
when it’s all you’ve known.”
“We’re very excited for this coming year,” she continued. “We
started our business in a climate that was pretty similar [to the
current recession].”
With experience comes confidence, and Pinkergreen certainly
doesn’t lack in that category. They remain undaunted by poor
economic news reaching airways and computer screens almost
daily. Said Jordan, “We’re going to be growing our company in
the coming year.”
To submit an article to this quarterly newsletter,
please contact Judy White.