The
125th anniversary of the founding of Norton Co. and the establishment of the
company’s manufacturing operations in Worcester,
Mass., were celebrated at special employee
events at Saint-Gobain's Greendale campus in Worcester. Three employee barbecues-one for each production
shift-took place to mark the anniversary. More than 1100 employees attended the
event, where speeches were given by John Jeppson, II, grandson of one of the
company founders and past president of Norton Co.; Worcester City Manager
Michael O'Brien; John Crowe, president of Saint-Gobain’s worldwide Abrasives
business; and Mark Rayfield, vice president of Saint-Gobain Abrasives North
America.
“Throughout our historical ups and downs, the company has endured,” said
John Crowe, president of Saint-Gobain Abrasives. “That’s because our employees
have always figured out how to meet the challenge of the day, made hard
decisions, and brought about the changes that have been necessary to keep our
businesses successful. We prosper because it’s in our DNA. It is commitment and
a determination that new employees learn from more experienced people and then
pass along to the people who follow.”
The company used the occasion to announce the first North American donation
of its new international Initiatives Foundation, which makes charitable
donations to organizations that support building renovation, energy efficiency,
and environmental performance of low-cost housing. Rayfield presented a check
to representatives of Matthew 25, a Worcester-based organization that
rehabilitates abandoned homes and then rents the properties to low-income
families. The Saint-Gobain donation of nearly $53,000 will be used renovate a
home on Benefit Terrace in Worcester.
For
more information, visit
www.saint-gobain.com.
