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Show r - ' iiaff members of the new Utah Navajo Industries glove plant stand " front of busy sewing crew. From left to right are Mrs. Bor-Geng Lh, wife of Plant Manager, Manager Luh; Assistant Manager Utah Navajo Industries Grand Opening Held at Montezuma Creek "Utah Navajo Industries" lecame a reality to residents (Southern San Juan County oo Oct. 5 when grand opening teremonies opened the doors nfa new glove manufacturing plant at Montezuma Creek, 111. The plant is jointly owned by luh Navajo Industries (UNI) and the Utah Navajo Development Develop-ment Council (UNDQ and is beaded by Steve Ho, President if UNI, who will direct rations from his office in Oiemos, Michigan. Mr. Ho recently hired three ulionalist Chinese technic-as technic-as to oversee a training program for the 45 Navajo aployees, who turn out leather and cotton work gloves to such industries as General Motors. The open house was well attended by residents of San Juan County, who observed-plant observed-plant operations throughout the morning. Informal tours were conducted by Mr. Bor-Geng Bor-Geng Luh, Plant Manager, his wife, and Miss Shwujeng Jang, Chief of the sewing section. Visitors to the plant were shown the various steps in glove manufacturing which include cutting by heavy hydraulic stamping machines and the various stages of sewing the stamped pieces together. Some of the visiting dignitaries dignita-ries included Bruce Parry, Chairman of the Utah Division of Indian Affairs (UDIA) and UDIA board members, Don Smith, McKay Pikyavit, Frank Timbimboo and Dr. Clark, Ballard.- Other -chapter and : tribal officials from Arizona, New Mexico and Utah were also among the guests. The gTand opening program was conducted by UNDC Executive Director Cleal Bradford, Brad-ford, and assistant manager of the plant Freddie Bitsoie. Keynote speaker at the ceremony cerem-ony was Mr. Wilson Skeet, Navajo Tribal Vice-Chairman, I who spoke of the growing number of Navajo-owned in- ' dustries in the Southwest. Mr. Skeet said this growth was indicative of a new era for the Navajo and commended local chapters for their efforts in Freddie Bitsoie; UNI President Steve Ho; Sewing Section Chief, Miss Shwujena Jang. bringing industry to this part of the reservation. Mr. Skeet was preceded on the program by Mr. Robert Billie, UNI Chairman of the Board. Mr. Billie spoke of the sacrifices and work that the Navajo people have displayed in bringing industry to the reservation. He commended Mr. Ho and UNDC for their role in making UNr a reality at Montezuma Creek. Another person who has been involved in the formation of UNI is Mr. Herbert Lorenz of General Motors, who has contracted with UNI for the work gloves. Mr. Lorenz spoke briefly to the audience outlining outlin-ing General Motors' involvement involve-ment with UNI. He also stated the people sewing and cutting the gloves were the ones who would make the company successful. He anticipated a long and happy association i between . UNI and General Motors. Mr. Steve Ho spoke for a few moments indicating he was grateful for the various people and organizations who had helped in the formation of UNI. He concluded his remarks re-marks by saying one of the main reasons for the establishment establish-ment of UNI is to create employment for the Utah Navajo, and he is looking forward to the present work force expanding as the plant increases production. At the conclusion of the program speakers and selected select-ed guests were invited to participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony. A bright yellow ribbon held by two plant employees was simultaneously simultan-eously cut by seven pair of scissors and the UNI plant No. 1 was officially opened. Construction of the 15,000 square foot plant was started in 1974, and dedicated in July of 1975. The successful culmination cul-mination of plans made in 1974 to bring industry to the Utah Navajo reservation has been a cooperative effort shared by UNDC, the Office of Economic Development Administration (EDA), the Navajo Tribe, General Motors, Ho Manufacturing Manufac-turing Co., and local chapters and residents who have supported the project. Contract details outline a program which will turn plant management over to the Utah Navajos after six years. The technicians from Taiwan will remain at the plant for at least a year training the Navajo employees in all phases of glove manufacturing. According Accor-ding to Mr. Ho, after each worker has completed training, train-ing, he will be able to turn out about eight dozen leather gloves per day and 25 dozen cotton gloves per day. According to Mr. Bitsoie, production in the plant runs smoothly despite the Mandar-in-Navajo language conflict that is somehow bypassed. Whatever the secret is, the Taiwan-Navajo relationship is working well, as glove after glove heads for the assembly line of General Motors. |