ATK purchased Eagle Unlimited last week. So, I enjoyed a quick trip to St. Louis to check out our newly acquired premium-quality sewing factory disguised as a sweat shop. Who knew we still have these in the US? Actually, there are 2 in the US, 2 in Puerto Rico, and 1 in Dominican Republic. Why would the world's largest bullet manufacturer purchase a sewing factory? To add bullet-proof vests to our product line!
Top Ten notable things I learned this week:
(1) I am thankful for parents that expected me to go to college.
(2) Amanda may not want a career in clothing design when she sees the true glamour of it.
(3) The newly acquired management team didn't really appreciate a cordial, "Hi, welcome to ATK. We're here to help!"
(4) It really is possible to start with a sewing machine in your mother's basement, grow the business to $100M sales per year on the backs of Dominican working-class earning $1.50 per hour (thank heaven for minimum wage in US and Puerto Rico), and retire 30 years later with a payout of over $30M.
(5) It is possible to do #4 because you have a loving, supportive wife actively participating as matriarch of the company that published a book titled Don't Deny or Defy "A guide for wives and future brides" http://www.gretchencarver.com/. Seriously, don't rush to purchase it. With my discount I can afford to get each of you one for Christmas.
(6) Eight languages at one St. Louis manufacturing plant? And I thought it was difficult in Iuka where both Southern and Utahn were spoken.
(7) Life at the factory had been just fine for the long-timers from Bosnia. That is, until the newbies from Somalia showed up. Now there's a tone of resentment, "Why did they have to come and show all the co-workers what it really means to be Muslim?" Of course, the Bosnians down-play the rigor with which the Somalians practice Islam. Honestly, how can anyone down-play clocking-out and clocking-in 5 times each shift for prayers? Prayer rugs are stored on top of the vending machines. It's a not-so-private activity, so watch your step as you reach for that Snickers!
(8) Our plant in the Dominican Republic is located in the Free Trade Zone. It's the place where the government allows foreign entities to build manufacturing facilities. Secured with armed guards, only licensed employees are allowed in. Like a military base, the FTZ is self-sustaining and employees enjoy well-earned amenities like grocery stores. Our employees are paid each week in cash -- given to them in an envelope specially designed to allow the recipient to discretely count it -- all $35 of it. They have no concept of direct deposit, and certainly can't understand why anyone would put their money in a bank. But, there's a hip, new trend in the FTZ. Many employers have issued ATM cards, loading them each week with wages. Employees love the convenience of purchasing with a card! Shhh . . . don't tell them it's a bank card.
(9) The Bosnians at the St. Louis plant don't believe in banks either. Still, they're great savers. They simply hold on to the checks for two or three years until they travel to Bosnia to deliver the money to family members. I empathetically commented that it must be difficult to reconcile the payroll bank account. The controller appropriately welcomed me to his hell.
(10) Contrary to conservative idealists, US companies don't "self-regulate" to do what's right for their employees. Summers in St. Louis sport 100 degree weather with stifling humidity. Just imagine three hundred and fifty minimum wage earners laboring at sewing machines stuffed in a crowded warehouse -- with no air-conditioning! Isn't this America? I have little faith that ATK will spring for the AC.
(Bonus) Tobacco producing states still allow smoking in restaurants. And, my companion Michele couldn't get a Miller Light because St. Louis is Bud country!
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