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Mixed feelings as plant set to close this month
By Colette M. Jenkins Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Sunday, Sep 09, 2007
NORTH CANTON: More than 200 of the people who helped make The Hoover Co. a world-recognized brand came together Saturday to mark the company's 100th anniversary.
But the employee reunion at Hoover Park was bittersweet for many of the retirees, former employees and current workers who attended. In one respect, it was a farewell to the vacuum maker's North Canton facilities, Please see Hoover, B2
which company officials announced in April would close and put 750 people out of work. In another, it was a time to reconnect with members of the Hoover family.
''It's like a birthday party. I'm so happy to see everybody, but it's kind of sad because this could be the last time we all get together,'' said Lucille Jackson, 62, of Canton. ''It's really sad to know that people are going to be losing their jobs. The company's been around a hundred years, and now it's done.''
Jackson, who worked as a product repacker and appraiser, sat reminiscing with one of her former co-workers, Joyce Sanchenko, 63, who retired in 2001 after 36 years. Jackson retired in 2000 after 32 years.
''I met a lot of nice, wonderful people at Hoover,'' said Sanchenko, a Massillon resident. ''It was a good place to work. It saddens me to know that future workers won't have the same opportunity that we had to be part of such a good company.''
The original Hoover vaccuum was invented in 1907 and the company was founded in 1908 in North Canton, where it has maintained its main plant and headquarters. The plant is scheduled to close this month, ending its legacy as the city's largest private employer.
''It's a shame that a good company is going to hell,'' said Joe Oles, 83, of Canton. ''When I was there, it was a great place to work. The people there were like family. We looked out for each other and we still do. My former boss brought me here today. I don't drive anymore because of my eyesight.''
Oles, who retired in 1986 as a project engineer, said he never thought he would see the day when the vacuum maker would leave its home base.
Hoover now is owned by Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. of Hong Kong, which owns Royal Appliance of Cleveland, maker of Regina and Dirt Devil vacuum products.
Mary Mueller, 72, of Canton, said the closing of the local plant marked the end of an era. She retired in 2000 after more than 47 years in consumer affairs.
Mueller displayed her Hoover pride by wearing a electronic personal billboard on her shirt that scrolled the message ''HOOVER!'' and an old Hoover Corporate Cup pin.
''We were like one big family at Hoover. It didn't matter if you were salaried or hourly. Everybody loved each other, and we were all proud of our product,'' said Mueller.
''We always had such a great product. In fact, in England, they 'Hoover' their rugs instead of sweeping them. That's what the Hoover name has meant.''
Colette Jenkins can be reached at 330-996-3731 or cjenkins@thebeaconjournal.com.
NORTH CANTON: More than 200 of the people who helped make The Hoover Co. a world-recognized brand came together Saturday to mark the company's 100th anniversary.
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