One of the last strongholds of tl1e shovel went by the board on June 14 when ground was broken for the new Hamilton building. Insisting that he wanted to "do things right or not at all," President Arthur B. Sinkler climbed onto a nearby bull dozer and expertly removed the first, giant-sized "shovelfull."
2 timely TOPICS timely TOPICS October • N ove111ber 1963
in this issue "Competition Makes Its Pitch" was cer This Crucial Year ...... 4 tainly among the most fascinating report ing jobs we've done for timely TOPICS 1963 Jewelry Show ...... 7 readers in several years. Not only was there great interest in meeting the people Competition Makes Its Pitch ...... 10 behind such names as Benrus, Gruen, Gorham and International, but we also Wallace News ...... 12 had the pleasure of working with Ben Martin, who fit the TOPICS job in between Honor Roll Anniversaries ...... 15 assignments as Time magazine's New York photographer.
As we visited other watch and silver ex hibitors, Mr. Martin and your editor were most cordially received-with two notable exceptions. One overly-suspicious Cover: By far the largest, most publicized civil rights watch sales manager wasn't about to let demonstration was tl1e August 28 March on Washing ton. Our cover shows some of ilie 200,000 crowd be anyone from Hamilton (it seemed to fore the Lincoln Memorial. How the movement for taste bad as he said it) into his suite Negro equality affects Hamilton is told in "This without an O.K. from top authority. We Crucial Year" beginning page 4. (UPI photo) finally got the picture, but only after many phone calls to the company's home office. Editor ...... Richard F. Charles Associate Editor ...... Eva Q. Lipka Outstanding in their friendliness were Photographers: Harold W. Richter-Wallingford, Rob ert Taylor-Lancaster officials of Gorham, International and Regional Correspondents: L. J. Lane-Canada, Mary Oneida silver companies, but we did run Burgess-Milford, Conn., Joe Koniencki-East Peters afoul of one nondescript flatware manu burg, Trudy Bom-Bienne, Switzerland Reporters: Lancaster-Wally Bork, Sally Bushong, facturer when Mr. Martin tried to photo Max Caldwell, Ray Ellis, Ron Fenstermaker, Sam graph an almost exact duplicate of Gast, Marilyn Kuntz, Charles McCamey, Thomas Tuttle's "Onslow" pattern in stainless Reese, Frank Remley, Ronald Roschel, Carl Yecker, Wallingford-Alfred Draghi, Fred Long, Robert Mc steel, of all things. Ben talked his way Guire, Jean Case. out of that one, but alas, sans photo.
The res ults of a full and at times frenzied timely TOPICS is published bimonilily for employees of the Hamilton Watch Company, its divisions and day of photo-reporting are presented in subsidiaries by ilie Public Relations Department. articles beginning on page 7. OCopyright 1963 by Hamilton Watch Company, Lan caster, Penna. Contents may be reproduced wiili credit. 3 THIS CRUCIAL YEAR From the tiniest cross-roads community to the largest metropolis, the struggle for equality is scraping America's backbone as no other issue in a century. The newsmen of the nation have given it a name: the Negro Revolution. And much of American business-ordinarily the mother-lode of energy, ingenuity and effi ciency-stands hesitant, frequently wavering from indecision to apprehension while the fires of a new Negro militancy spread unquenched. Over the last fifteen years, the business world has slowly awakened to the tremendous potential of the Negro Market. That Negroes have, col lectively, an annual income of some twenty billion dollars had not escaped industrial notice. Now-in 1963-the Negro knows it tool Often denied the voting booth, the Negro National Community is also awakening-to find that purchasing dollars make effective ballots. Ordinarily, the knowledge that money is available is all the great salesmen of the United States need to know. Usually, they "take the ball and run with it." But the Negro Market is different. One busi ness leader perceptively calls it an "invitational market." While spendable dollars are easily identified in the Negro Community, sales are made by threading one's way through-not around-that community. And that is not al ways an easy assignment- At this moment, for instance, the most treach erous cross winds ever encountered in the social structure of this nation are blowing in that community. The leaders of the Negro Revolution are sworn to bring that people above the timber line of "second-class citizenship" to the higher ground of full participation in the productive life of the free enterprise system; full participa tion not only as purchasers of goods but also as employees of those who manufacture them. The striving for Negro employment above the refuse
timely TOPICS disposal level is without a doubt a maincurrent ton Watch Company as a place where anyone in the Revolution. can apply for and fill any job on the basis of And, as always in war, those who fight in the ability alone!" ranks and those who offer opportunities for this Mr. Sinkler opened the Public Relations pro upward trek are friends-all others are enemies! gram by establishing at the North Carolina Hamilton has been keenly aware of both the College at Durham (an all-Negro institution) a struggle and the opportunities for years before perpetual watch award as a memorial to Dr. the 1963 racial storm broke in such precipitate Jam es E. Shepherd, the distinguished founder actions as picketing, boycotting and freedom of the college. The first awards-to the faculty marches. As early as 1956 Hamilton's Public Re member and student who best exemplify Dr. lations Department began consulting with Joseph Shepherd's character-were presented by Mr. V. Baker* on definite steps to thread its way Sinkler. Since that time a Hamilton representa through the Negro National Community. tive has traveled annually to Durham to make The first of these steps was to secure the the presentations. backing of top management for Hamilton's Noting the favorable reception of the North overtures to this "invitational market." In Presi Carolina College award, Hamilton then invited dent Arthur B. Sinkler, the program found not several major Negro insurance companies to only enthl!lsiastic support but an active partici honor employees who had made outstanding pant. contributions in voluntary community service. Concerning employment, Mr. Sinkler was These were cooperative awards for which Hamil both brief and emphatic: "I think of the Hamil- ton provided engraved watches and executive personnel to present them. •Joseph V. Baker is Chairman of Joseph Baker Asso· ciates, Inc., an all-Negro public relations consulting firm . This program of awards, largely in recognition Mr. Baker looks back on nearly 29 years as a consultant of community service or outstanding achieve in this special field. He has been affiliated with Hamilton for eight years. ment in a professional field, was expanded to
I. D. Reddick (left), outstand ing member of the Phi Beto Sigma fraternal order, re ceives a Hamilton watch in recognition of his achieve ments. Maki_ng the presenta tion far Hamiltan was David Chapman (center), manager al the northeast district.
October-November 1963 5 include scores of organizations across the coun assignment of reaching into the Negro Market try from Greek letter sororities and fraternities through the Negro Community. A silver awards to professional associations, and from fraternal program, primarily among key women's organi orders to civic and social units. In most instances zations, was launched in much the same manner the presentations are made when the groups are as the cooperative awards for watches. Engraved assembled at their national conventions. silver pieces have been presented to outstanding An important point is that in all cases the Negro women in cities across the nation. Here members of the organization-not Hamilton again, a Wallace representative made the award select the recipient of the award. during annual conventions. Particularly significant among these awards Perhaps the most significant Wallace awards have been those made to members of the Fron are scheduled for this year, the centennial of tiers International (an influential men's service the Emancipation Proclamation. Five Wallace organization), a 15-year volunteer for the Na waiters-engraved with a replica of the Emanci tional Polio Foundation, a rural physician who pation Proclamation - have been designated single handedly provided recreation facilities "Wallace Silver Heritage Awards" especially for for youngsters in his South Carolina community, the celebration. Two awards are already in the and a Federal Court judge honored by his hands of outstanding Negroes in the Los Angeles fraternity. and Pittsburgh areas. Through public recognition of Negro achieve Beyond this crucial year, Hamilton will con ments, Hamilton not only receives "exposure" in tinue the proffers of friendship and employment the Negro community, the company is further to the Negro National Community, creating the identified as adding its support and prestige to kind of impact which adds that something to a the human rights struggle. In short, Hamilton product which has a deeper appeal in the Negro is among friends. Market than solid gold or sterling. More than 50 watches have been presented in this awards program alone since its inception in 1957. Additional awards have been made to Negro engineering students as the Hamilton Watch Award program for colleges has been expanded to include institutions such as Howard University at Washington, D. C. and Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. With a successful awards program under way, Hamilton in 1958 turned its hand to a direct approach to Negro consumers at home. A consumer booklet "The Gift of Time" was adapted for this group. Using Negro subjects for its point of reference, thousands of copies of the publication were directed to able-to-buy and influential individuals in the Negro National Community. In another effort to reach the Negro at home, the publication "When They Meet" was created. "When They Meet" is an annually-issued confer ence and convention guide outlining the ob jectives, officers and national meeting dates for more than 60 major Negro organizations. Now in its fifth year of publication. "When They Meet" has an annual distribution of well over 50,000 copies. Wallace's "Silver Heritage Award" is presented to Mrs. J. B. Harris by sales representative Norman Daniels. Mrs. Harris was The joining of Hamilton and Wallace Silver cited at the recent national meeting of the Women's Auxiliary smiths in 1959 added a new dimension to the to the National Medical Association in Los Angeles.
6 timely TOPICS Center of activity for the 1963 shaw was the main ballroom. Many exhibitors also reserved conference rooms for meeting customers.
Hamilton and Wallace products star in the 1963 JEWELRY SHOW
Photos by Ben Martin
EWELERS FROM ALL OVER the country gathered tional Jewelry Trade Show sponsored by the J in record numbers at New York's Waldorf Retail Jewelers of America. There for buyers' Astoria Hotel in earl y August for the 1963 Na- approval and, hopefully, purchase were millions
A jewelry show is not necessarily all jewelry. A hostess for Another Lancaster monufacturer, Schick, Inc., was also at the Sony Corporation makes a point for her company's minioture show. Several manufacturers of such non-jewelry items as TV sets. shavers, tape recorders and radios had extensive displays.
October-November 1963 7 The fall watch program-complete with a TV set to view commercials-was featured in one room of Hamilton 's Louis XVI suite. Jewelers could see the watch line in store-like cases, while shadow boxes told the magazine ad story. A revolving display of Wallace Color Clad holloware invited visitors into the Wallace section of the suite, where appeared displays of Instant Gifts, holloware, Modern Age sterling, Fierenze and other flatware patterns.
of dollars in bright, new sample merchandise ranging from precious gems and cuckoo clocks to nickel charms and telescopes. Waiting to welcome-and sell-the 13,500 members of the jewelry industry who attended were 314 exhibitors, all either manufacturers or distributors of jewelry store products. Centered in the Waldorf's main ballroom, the show spilled over into nearby corridors, mezza nine and terraces with many of the major con cerns-such as Hamilton and Wallace-providing satellite shows in suites scattered over a half dozen floors. A fine point in Wallace's holloware program is made by Bob Pounds (right) , Wallace salesman.
11 lt 1 s pronounced Fee -ren tsay" says Jean Molloy (right) of Walloce's adver tising deportment as she ex plains the decorative tech nique of the Dawn Mis t and Evening Mist patterns.
Dealer tie-ins with Hamil ton ' s TV advertising at tracted great interest. David Chapmon (right) , Hamilton district soles manager, ex plains the football hand book to a prospective cus tomer.
8 timely TOPICS In another part of Hamilton's suite, salesmen and dealers could hold business meetings. Tom Ricks (right), Hamilton salesman, helps a jeweler make his selection of 505's.
Traffic was also heavy in the Vantage Watch booth. Making its initiol appearance at the annual show, Vantage was Hamilton's only affiliated product line which was displayed in the main ball room of the Waldorf.
" We need some of these, and some of those . . . " Se lections were often made by husband and wife jewelers.
October-November 1963 9 From Accutron to Zodiac Cornpetition Makes Its Pitch Photos by Ben Martin
FAVORITE PASTIME at every National Jewelry Show is seeing what the other fellow is up longines salesman interests a jeweler in the company's 1964 A watch models. Arrangements in the longines-Wittnauer suite to. Bulova salesmen visit Hamilton while Wallace emphasized the company's dealer displays and provided plenty designers stroll through the Gorham suite. of space far jeweler-salesman discussions. Although the com pany markets an electric watch, they are considered major Even the shortest look at the exhibits con competition with Hamilton in the $70-$100 range of conven vinces the most loyal employee that the competi tional ond automatic watches. tion is both tough and inventive. Some samples from other manufacturers: a battery watch guar anteed 99.99773 accurate on the wearer's wrist, silver holloware with a colored plastic liner, fully jeweled watches under $25, sterling flatware with a Horentine finish, and a lady's watch with inter changeable bezels and straps to match any color scheme. In sheer size, the International Silver Com pany had the largest display area with the Hamilton-Wallace suite a close second. However, top honors for beauty and originality were ac corded to the Hamilton displays, even by the competition. In fact, many competitors exhibited only a small segment of their line waiting until a Down the hall from Hamilton was the Gruen Watch Company's jeweler expressed serious interest before opening suite with plenty of salesmen on hand to greet buyers. A selection of watches from their Bienne, Switzerland factory was the sample case. shown in an attractive, illuminated panel. Unlike Hamilton, the complete Gruen line was shown only in private sessions with Prestige, accuracy and reliability are stressed far Bulova's Ac jewelers. cutran electronic watch. Priced somewhat above Hamilton's 505 ($125 vs. $75 far the 505) it is stiff competition in the Advertising and promotion plans were highlighted by Benrus battery-powered watch field . "A-B-C" blocks at top of display whose suite was bustling with activity. Benrus watches are es remind jewelers of company's three watch lines: Accutron for pecially competitive with Hamilton in the $40-$75 field while electronic, Bulova far stemwound and automatic and Caravelle the company's Belforte series is priced with the Vantage far the budget-priced market. Watch line.
10 timely TOPICS A jeweler considers whether he could use this Oneida teo serv ice in hi s stock. Oneida olso offers jewelers plastic dinnerware, and silv erplated flatware in addition to same. product lines as Wallace.
Former Wolloce-ite Craig Bossi, now director of advertising for International Silver Company, discusses sterling flatware with a salesman. International, besides manufacturing items directly competitive with Wallace, also claims a large shore of the silverploted flatware and stainless steel market.
Since the decision to buy is often "ladies' choice," a Gorham salesmen explains their new " Modern living Group" sterling flatware. Always a strong Wallace rival, Gorham introduced three new patterns this summer in the " Modern Living Group." Of lighter-than-usual weight, the new sterling sells under $40 per place setting.
Not the originator of the pin-lever watch, but certainly the most successful is Timex. The pin-lever market is now threat ened by such products as Vantage watches offering fully jeweled movements in the some price area.
The opulent Medono watch display invites jewelers attention lo low-priced one lo seven jewel watches. Vantage watches at the some cost hove 1 7 and 21 jewels.
Newcomers to the U.S. watch scene ore Japanese firms such as Seiko (soy-ko) Time Corpora tion. Seiko calls itself the free world's largest watchmaker (6 million per year) , tries to beat Swiss prices on similar quality products.
October-November 1963 11 'VVALLACE news
holloware superintendent, honoring him as "Elk" of the year. Wallingford Little League baseball champion ship was won by Wallace Silversmiths for the second straight year. Barbara Howland, purchasing, scored a 618 for a three game series in the Colonettes Bowling League at Colony Lanes, Wallingford, during the summer season. Alfred Draghi, assistant supervisor, hollo R. J. Blakinger Is ware stamp, is the Wallace representative of the Exec. Vice President Industrial Management Club for the 1963-64 season. Richard J. Blakinger was elected Executive Vice President of the Hamilton Watch Company at a recent meeting of the Board of Directors. He had been a vice president and director of the company since 1960. Mr. Blakinger first became associated with Hamil Annual Sale For Blind ton as General Counsel in 1950 and was named The annual sale of goods made by the blind Assistant Secretary in 1952 and Secretary and Gen was held outside of the personnel department eral Counsel in 1954. In his new position, Mr. Blak September between 12:00 and 1:00 o'clock. inger will be responsible for all operating divisions. 9 Mr. G. Brassard and Mr. G. Linde from the State New Security Head Board of Education of the Blind were in charge Thomas Ferguson, yard, is now in charge of of the sale. The employees of Wallace Silver Wallace plant security and is assisted by Henry smiths, Voos Associates, Joclin and Quantum Totz of the same department. This arrangement purchased over $200.00 of the merchandise that supersedes one the company had in recent years was on display. with George Theroux of the Associated Detective Bureau of Hartford, Connecticut. These men operate under the supervision of Everett Bird, yard supervisor, and Zola Grana, Blue Cross Expands Coverage chief engineer. Their assignment is to make the Unmarried children between ages 19-25 and plant secure from losses due to theft and pilfer dependent on their parents for support can now age. These activities are in addition to those enroll in a new Blue Cross program. which they normally perform as plant guards This new program will mean substantial and watchmen. savings in membership dues to employees who have dependent children-such as college stu names in the news dents or handicapped youngsters. Gary Waslewski, son of Michael Waslewski, Arrangements are now being made with the boasts an 11-4 won-loss record as a pitcher for Blue Cross as to details in registering and these the Reno, Nevada baseball club in the Class A plans will be posted. Any parent who works for California League. Wallace Silversmiths and has children within the A testimonial was held recently by the age bracket of 19-25 and has not made contact Wallingford Elks Club for Walter Vollhardt, with the personnel department should do so.
12 timely TOPICS Summer Tours A. A. NEWS During July and August 50 people (mostly in The Wallace Duffers Club rounded out its groups of two or three) stopped in to tour the 1963 season with a tournament at the Meriden plant to see how silverware is made. Many were Municipal Golf Course prior to a banquet at already proud owners of Wallace silver and Sun Valley, Meriden on September 14. Robert were anxious to see how it was made. The tours Engberg and Ames Malaguti captured first took them through the sterling flatware division place honors, Edwin Stutzke and Anthony Wasi as well as the spinning department and the dis lewski, second and Armand Carrano and Peter play room. Jasinski, third. Eleven different states and one other country The remaining Duffers and their standings at were represented by the visitors: Connecticut, the end of the season were: Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsyl John Dringoli James Benarro vania, South Carolina, Florida, Wisconsin, Min William Brown 160.5 Louis Cella 152.5 Frank Binder Frank Korzenko nesota, Texas, California and West Germany. Anthony Sikorski 158.5 Richard Horan 146.5 Of the 50, 11 represented the teaching pro Robert Wuchert Sylvio Ferrari fession, and were interested in materials on EdwardMik 158.5 Andrew Centmehaiey 133.5 Walter Pietras Fred Brunner silverware. Each visitor was given a packet Hugo Bandecchi 153.5 Robert Reynolds 132.5 containing information about the Wallace pat Ken Fields terns, history of silver and a description of the Gary Barker 131 operations they saw. Each lady was presented A word of appreciation and thanks from all with a sterling silver salt spoon pin souvenir. the Duffers is extended to the 1963 committee, namely, Hugo Bandecchi, chairman, Robert new patterns Reynolds and Anthony Wasilewski. A daughter, Jan ette, born to Mr. and Mrs. Louis Luparia on July 30. Louis works in Hand Polish. A son, Michael Lee, born to Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy Kaylor on August 29. LeRoy is in Sales Wallace Silver.
j WALLACE-VOOS BOWLING TEAM-Mem bers of the Wallace A. A. sponsored team who bowl every Wednesday at the North Haven Park Lanes are L. to R.: Anthony Wasilewski, Joseph Wasilewski, Peter Jasinski, captain; Frank Binder and Armand Carrano. Missing from the picture is John Fiakala. MORE BINS, MORE BUSINESS-Stephen Denya, Supervisor, (2nd from left) and his em ployees in Holloware Pack and Ship are shown in their remodeled working quarters. The mov ing of racks and adding of bins has taken place in this department to improve working conditions and allow ample space to ship out the great nwnber of orders that are- coming into the plant. WALLACE A. A.-One of the two A. A. bowling teams who are participating in the Commercial 1Jn flrmnrhun League at Park Lanes, North Haven, during its Sympathy is extended to the families of 35 week season. Front row, 1. tor.: Robert Zim Anthony Loin, :\fichael Nehez, Donald Perkins mer, Carl Faraone and Julius Gindel, captain. and Nicholas Sunday. Back row, 1. to r.: John Ross and Elmer Kurty.
October-November 1963 13 RETIRED Ernest Schwarz, tooling consultant in the Watch Case Division, retired for the second time. He was a former tooling foreman at the Biggs Company and came out of retirement to work in the Watch Case Division on a consulting basis. Some 30 employees from Ernie's division entertained him at the South Meriden House on August 13 and presented him with a farewell gift of a Hamilton electric watch. He is now visiting his original home, Munich, Germany and expects to remain there for a year. SEPTEMBER SALES MANAGER-Arthur Kil len sitting at the desk of the sales manager and really playing the part. As the result of his "stimulating" activity at the sales meetings held in Lancaster in June, Art was given the title of "Honorary Sales Manager" for the month of September. Robert Wilson yielded his sales letter responsibilities to Art for the entire month, but he and his staff resumed their duties as of October 1 and Art returned to his regular position as holloware production control supervisor.
William W. Rich PRESIDENT'S CUP TOURNAMENT CHAMPS William W. Rich, president of Wallace from -Victory smiles are shown on the faces of 1940 to 1953 passed away September 7 at Ball award winners at the annual golf tournament Memorial Hospital, Muncie, Indiana, after a held at the Wallingford Country Club August brief illness. At the time of his death Mr. Rich 13. L. to R.: Nello Malavasi, Voos, low gross; was president of the Ontario Manufacturing Edward Tomko, Voos, 2nd low gross; John Corporation of Muncie. Dringoli, Spinning, low net and Walter Pietras, He is survived by a daughter, Mrs. J. L. Sterling Flatware Buff, low putts. Not in picture Skinner and a son, Van P. Smith, both of Muncie but winner of 2nd low net is Thomas Latham, and four grandchildren. Purchasing Agent.
CREDIT UNION GIRLS READY TO SERVE YOU-Miriam Brown, Treasurer (left), and Gloria Reising, Assistant Treasurer, may be contacted for business transactions at the Wallace SILVERSMITH DEPARTMENT 1914 Do you Credit Union Office Tuesdays tl1rough Fridays recognize anyone? This picture was submitted from 12-12:30 P.M. by Francis Kelly, sterling flatware make.
14 timely TOPICS October-November 1963 HONOR ROLL ANNIVERSARIES
45 YEARS~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-- F. Ellsworth Mottram, Sterling Flatware Buff
35 YEARS~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-- Edward Socha, Sterling Flatware Make
25 YEARS~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-- Donald Ferguson, Holloware Finish and Inspect
20 YEARS~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jean Bartholomew, Engineering
15 YEARS~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~--- Holman Bunnell, Sterling Flatware Make Florence Ingraham, Holloware Finish and Inspect
25 YEARS FOR FRANK-Frank Norton, left, assistant supervisor, Toolmaking, receives con gratulations and his 25 year service award from Ralph Ives, his superintendent. Frank completed 25 years of service with Wallace July 24.
October-November 1963 15 She has her eyes on you
And her wonderful, story-telling eyes are saying that there are a great many people, a lot of them helpless youngsters, who are desperately in need of your help. Some of them are sick, some are handicapped, and many are homeless. There are puzzled teen-agers in need of a guiding hand, troubled families in need of counseling, and people who are too old to work but too young to sit around doing nothing. When you look into this little one's eyes, we hope you will get the message from the many people whose only hope for help is the once-a-year pledge you make to your United Fund or Community Chest. One gift works many wonders/GIVE THE UNITED WAY
HA /L4/LTD/\/ R. A. Preston Director. Industrial Relations VVATCH Hamilton Watch Company -++COJL4PA/\/V Lancaster, Pa. LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA