Clinton Mills clothmaker. [volume] ([Clinton, South Carolina]) 1984-198?, June 15, 1987, Image 10
Page 10
Williams Tells Clinton Mills' Contributions
to County at Industrial Appreciation Night
Representatives of the Laurens County In
dustrial community and members of the
Shrine Club got an indepth report on Clinton
Mills' contributions to the county as Presi
dent Thad Williams addressed the local
Shrine Club's Industrial Appreciation night
audience.
Williams, who has held the presidency
position approximately six months, outlined
the company’s strength which has enabled it
to make substantial contributions to the
Laurens County area since 1896.
“Our operating schedule has been unpa
ralleled in our industry,” noted Williams.
“For the 120-month period 1978 through
1987, we will have operated our Laurens
County plants over 99 percent of our normal
operating schedule.”
As vivid color slides, which were prepared
by the Human Resources Department,
flashed across the screen, the Shrine guests
saw pictures which were representative of
the $100 million the company has invested
in the past 10 years in new plant and equip
ment.
Williams spoke positively about the $ 16.3
million renovation of Clinton Plant No. 1,
which, coupled with the addition of weekend
shifts, will increase this plant’s capacity by
two times.
Attentive business leaders and Shriners
listened enthusiastically as the Clinton ex
ecutive outlined thetextilefirm’sformula for
success: “We have capable and moti
vated people; a commitment to technology;
and successful marketing strategy.”
To illustrate each point, he cited the
credentials of top management and the par
ticipation by management in the company’s
ownership.
Color slides flashed across the screen
which showed opening, spinning, winding,
weaving, storage and other equipment
which has been coordinated with numerous
micro-processor systems to achieve man
agerial data and control that only a few years
ago did not exist.
Clinton’s marketing strategy, the third
ingredient for success, captured the audi
ence’s attention as a thorough explanation
was made as to Clinton's ability to shift
apparel fabric production from import sensi
tive markets to less sensitive home fur
nishings markets.
During his remarks he praised the efforts
of Chairman Robert M. Vance and Marketing
Manager Josh Hamilton in continuously
working with government agencies in an
effort to obtain import controls limiting the
amounts of printcloth coming into the Un
ited States.
Government and other business leaders
were pleased to hear Williams' report on the
full operating schedules planned for the next
12 months as well as the $1 million the
company expects to pay in 1988 property
taxes.
Throughout his address, he cited figures
to the group which revealed Clinton's over
whelming impact on the local economy.
“Using the echo effect, the Clinton Mills
$30 million payroll will add $120 million to
the economy of the Laurens County area,”
noted Williams.
“The company,” according to Williams,
“purchases $2.5 million in local supplies
annually; pays $2.3 million for employees'
medical care; and supports numerous char
itable and civic institutions such as the
YMCA and United Way.”
“We have 2,550 associates and 1,710 of
these work in Laurens County. During the
last year we have increased our employment
by 140 and anticipate adding 110 in the
next 12 months,” he continued as facts and
figures were given to support Clinton and its
associates’ contributions to the area.
“Our strategy regarding all competition,
including imports, is to do a better job. We
do this by producing the highest quality fab
rics, by providing the best and most reliable
service, by being flexible to the needs of our
customers and by selling at competitive
prices. We must constantly be alert to im
ports and their ever increasing share of the
markets we serve.”
As he* concluded his remarks, Williams
gave a special tribute to Chairman Robert M.
Vance who is a member of the Shrine Club.
“In each year since 1958 Vance has held
a leadership position as either president or
G.T. Williams
chairman of the board of our company,"said
Williams as a special slide of Vance flashed
on the screen. “For almost 30 years he has
worked with management to blend indi
vidual talents into a formula for success. He
has been our catalyst for growth and mod
ernization.”
“In his quiet way, he has shown great
strength in his commitment to keep Clinton
Mills first. We are grateful for his 50 years of
service and for his continuing advice ahd
counsel.”
Ed Bigbee Retires After
20 Years Service
Ed Bigbee has retired following 20 years
of service to Clinton Mills.
Bigbee came to Clin
ton Mills as a loom
technician and was later
promoted to assistant
departmental superin
tendent, the position
he held to retirement.
“I found Clinton Mills
to be one of the best
places anywhere to
work,” noted Bigbee.
During retirement he plans to garden,
watch sports on TV, and travel as much as
he can.
Bigbee
Houston Ellis Retires
From Lydia Weaving
Houston Ellis has joined a number of his
friends as he retired from Lydia Weaving.
Houston joined the company January 7,
1953, and was an assistant departmental
superintendent at retirement.
“It's almost impo
ssible to recall all of the
changes that have taken
place since the 1950s,”
recalled Ellis. “The
location of depart
ments, types of machi
nery, and technology
improvements have
been too numerous to
recall.”
“I’m just glad to have had an opportunity
to be a part of the Clinton organization,”
Ellis said as he received a retiremen^gift
from fellow employees.
Private Andrew Martin, son of Julia
D. Martin of Clinton, has completed
basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in
Missouri. During the training, students
received instruction in drill and
ceremonies, weapons, map reading,
tactics, military courtesy, military
justice, first aid, and army history and
traditions.
Mr. Ellis