Janesville's former Parker Pen plant may close; 153 jobs would be lost

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Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, WI

By Barry Adams

More jobs could leave Janesville along with a piece of the city’s history.

The Sanford Corp., a subsidiary of Newell Rubbermaid in Atlanta, said it might close its Janesville manufacturing facility, known for decades as the Parker Pen Co. If closed, 153 jobs would move to other locations with excess capacity.

 A company spokeswoman stressed Tuesday that no decision has been made but one could be made within the "next few weeks." But local officials say if it is approved, the move would bring to an end a link to Parker Pen, a businesses started in Janesville in 1888.

"It’s one of the remnants of one of Wisconsin’s homegrown companies," said John Beckford, president of Forward Janesville, a private economic development group. "This announcement is not only disappointing but further erodes the economic situation in the county."

Janesville and Rock County have been rocked with job losses over the last year.

The General Motors assembly plant ended production of sport utility vehicles last December, putting about 1,200 people out of work and closed entirely after completing some contract work in April.

The closing resulted in hundreds of other job losses at companies that supplied parts to the plant. In late June, the hope of car production was deflated when GM selected Orion, Mich., over facilities in Janesville and Spring Hill, Tenn., for production of small cars.

"The impact on Janesville is certainly significant," said Doug Venable, the city’s economic development director, who last week first heard rumors about the possible closing of the pen facility. "I think they’re looking at ways to optimize their distribution channels."

In a statement released by a spokeswoman at Newell, the company said "a careful and thorough review of our office products business indicates a need to further improve efficiencies in order to remain competitive in a challenging economy. ... This is a response to structural issues accelerated by market trends and is in no way a reflection on the highly valued work performed by our employees over the years."

Sanford’s lease on its manufacturing facility in an industrial area on the city’s central north side is scheduled to expire by the end of the year, Venable said. The Janesville facility serves corporate customers with customized writing instruments for promotional and gift-giving needs, said company spokeswoman Connie Bryant. She declined to comment when asked what it would take to keep the Janesville plant open.

"There’s really not anything more we have to share," Bryant said. "It would not be appropriate."

Tony Hozeny, a spokesman for the state Department of Commerce, said his agency was aware of the situation since last week, after company officials spoke with employees about the possible closure. The agency will be working with local officials, he said.

Parker Pen was started by schoolteacher George S. Parker. In 1986, the company was purchased by a group of British investors and the headquarters eventually moved to England.

In 1992, the company was sold to the Gillette Co., and, at the time, had 600 employees. Gillette sold the company in 2000 to Newell, after it had reduced the work force to 300 people.

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