Morrison Berkshire Makes It Big
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| Welder Scott Winkelman made the sparks fly while at work at the Morrison Berkshire company. [Photo by Sue Bush] |
Big work occurs in a big building, where big components are made by employees with big talent, according to company owner James "Jim" White, whose great-grandfather James L. Morrison launched the firm as Morrison Machine in Paterson N.J. during 1908.
Closing In On 100 Years
"So much of what happens here is the people in the facility," White said. "The size of the building and the amount of talent means that the entire component assembly process can happen in one place. It's a one-stop shop, and for the customer, that means peace of mind."
<L2>The ability to complete a project from beginning to end under one roof and avoid moving parts and pieces from one site to another is a definite advantage in the fabrication and machining industry, White said. The 130,000-square-foot facility includes an assembly hall serviced by 25-ton cranes. Welding, machining, sandblasting, painting, and assembly all happen at the site.
The company moved to North Adams in 1984 and is now completing "the final year of our first century of operations," said White during a March 12 on-site interview.
Until 2000, the firm manufactured specialty custom machinery for the papermakers clothing industry; currently the company tackles contract manufacturing services.
Career Option
To commemorate the almost-100-year anniversary, the firm plans to host a public Open House at the 865 South Church St. facility from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on March 20.
"What we're doing with the open house is making people aware that there is manufacturing here," he said. "We want to raise the awareness of what manufacturing there is in this valley. This should be a career option but not everybody sees it."
The firm is a fourth-generation family run enterprise. James Morrison's daughter Jessie married Donald White and she led the company during an era that wasn't known for female business leaders, especially female leaders involved with the manufacturing trades. Donald and Jessie White had two sons, Donald and Jack.
"And Jack was my father," said Jim White.
Earning The Business
Business principals that guided the industry nearly a century ago remain vital and valid in the new century, White said.<R3>
"You have to earn business," he said. "Once you have performed to the contract and the client liking, it's easier to get business. Our company has a solid reputation and we don't do much advertising. It's mostly word of mouth."
The "word" must be positive about the company; the firm's employees have crafted Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboy football team stadium retractable roof parts, Kawasaki Rail Car components for the New York City subway system, Bombardier Transportation rail car equipment, telescope components, and large rolls that are designed for the paper industry and made for water treatment machines.
The firm currently employees about 60 workers and operates two work shifts. The majority of the company's workers are area residents who were educated at the area's public schools. The company is partnered with the Charles H. McCann Technical School co-op job program and has a part-time worker who is currently a senior at Drury High School.
"Everything Is On A Large Scale"
Quality Control Manager Jon Burdick is a 1985 McCann Machine Technology curriculum graduate and has a two-decade tenure at Morrison Berkshire.
"I've been here since about 18 months after graduation," Burdick said. "It's a good company."
Lead machinist Anthony "Tony" Randall graduated from the McCann machine technology program in 1983.
"I like it here," Randall said. "I've been here for 21 years, so that should tell you something."
<L4>Randall's son "A.J." Randall is a high school senior and a company part-time employee. The ability to provide part-time work to qualified high school students is beneficial to the company and the youth,he said.
"The kids get to make some decent money and have a job that is right around here, where they live," he said.
Company employee Anthony Martinez is a member of the McCann Class of 2005.
"This is a great place to work," he said. "The wages are good and so are the benefits. The pay is one of the better wage scales offered around here."
Christopher Plankey has worked at the company for about one year.
"I like how big everything is," he said. "Everything is on such a large scale. And it's a good company to work for."
David Coury said he's been on the job for about one month. He is acquiring training on the job, he added.
"I do like it here," he said. "It keeps you busy."
The company boasts a number of husband-and-wife "teams" said White. Included in the married-couple employee category is Peter and Lorraine Choquette. Peter Choquette has been with the company for a number of years and Lorraine Choquette has left the company and returned four separate times, she said.
"I do love it here," she said. "I've been here four times, so that should tell you something."<R5>
"We Do Big Things"
The company employee roster includes employees who've been with the firm for over three decades. William "Bill" Girard, who graduated from McCann school in 1973, has been at Morrison-Berkshire for 33 years, Girard said.
During the open house, folks will be able to view large posters that describe the company's products and will also be able to tour the facility and see the work that occurs there.
"What I'm trying to do is make this tangible for people, so they can see who the clients [of the business] are and what we actually do for them," White said. "We want people to see the machines."
"We are big, and that's why people come to us. We do the big things."
Additional information about Morrison Berkshire Inc. may be acquired at a www.morrisonberkshire.com Internet web site.
