what’s working
Having a stable and highly
skilled workforce is crucial
to Pendleton Woolen
Mills’ success, but loom
fixer Thang Nguyen takes
reliability to the extreme
among the company’s
800 employees. Nguyen
hasn’t missed a day of
work in the past 30 years.
In fact, the only two days
he has missed in his entire
34 year career with the
company were for the
births of his daughters.
The Washougal plant
started operating in 1910,
meaning Nguyen has been
working at the mill for
exactly one third of the
facility’s history.
house Opening Ceremony marks Pendleton’s foray into the category they
identify as “trendy.” Lawrence says that by further dividing offerings into
lifestyle categories and strategically differentiating certain products with labels
and branding there is no fear of cannibalizing one line for the sake of another.
the future
Beyond growing the product line to address more types of consumers, Lawrence
says the big push is to grow the company overseas. In addition to making several
trips to Europe this year, Lawrence is also actively recruiting distributors in
Korea and Japan.
“We see that there are opportunities to grow the business in a managed way
and take advantage of the brand’s strength in other segments of the world.”
In 2009, Pendleton celebrated its 100th anniversary and Lawrence says he
is focused on the company’s next 100 years. But it turns out there are several
dates that can be used to mark the company’s founding, including the 150-year
anniversary marking the opening of the original mill. That will be celebrated
in 2013. As a result, Lawrence might now have to grow his goal and plan for
the next 150 years.
Really though, it shouldn’t be a problem for a company that has successfully
managed so much change for so long.
32 association of washington business