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Show Page THE HERALD, Provo, Utah 28. 1988, February OUTLOOK '83, Sunday, 11A New owners ' - Wooden Spoon changing focus 5 rTl Mr" '' V if - took advantage of an empty sewing factory in Pleasant Grove last fall and today are employing many valley residents and producing thousands of garments daily. Plant manager, Dick Thpr-tosaid, "The availability 'of facilities and the labor force in this area enticed Leadtec to the Pleasant Grove location. We opened last fall and now employ 135 workers and are growing. We hope to build to 300 employees in the future." The company specializes in sewing for clients like Levi sewing company, n, Strauss, Aalfs and Girbaud which are their present clients. "They bring us the material, labels, buttons and zippers and we cut the fabric and sew the product. We do not manufacture our own lines of clothing as some companies do," said Thorton. Thorton gave an example of the production flow in the plant with a Levi Strauss jack- worn look and feel, we send it out to Central Utah Enterprises. After they are washed they are inspected, pressed, packaged and sent to the client. "In the case of Levi Strauss they do much of their own acid washing or bleaching to obtain their desired look." Thorton says he hopes to be producing up to 5,000 jackets a week at the Leadtec Plant. They are also making several lines of summer shorts for different clients. The facility was once the Bayly Manufac- et order. "They contract with us to make the jackets and send us large rolls of their material. We lay it out on our cutting tables as many as 60 layers thick depending on the thickness of the material. 5,600-square-fo- ot "Then we cut the layers all turing Company which has at once into the desired pattern. The cut pieces are taken to our assembly room where they are sewn together. "If the item is to be stone washed to give it the popular . been dissolved. Thorton emphasizes that Leadtec is not in any way associated with Bayly Manufacturing Company. "Leadtec bought this facility and is a totally separte opera "Our facility has the capaci- items for men, women and children are offered at a substantial savings to the public," says Thorton. Thorton says he has been in the clothing industry for 17 years. "I like it, it's a lot of hustle and bustle, but I enjoy working with the people." Employment picture rosy in Utah Valley this year By FLINT STEPHENS Herald City Editor If the past year is any indication, the unemployment picture in Utah Valley may show continued improvement in The loss of manufacturing jobs in the area and throughout the nation has stabilized, 1988. According to Larry Rhodes, Provo Job Service office manager, unemployment in the area continued to decline during the fall and winter months of 1987. Most years unemploy- ment figures increase at that time because some types of seasonal jobs are ending. The first four months of the fiscal year, which began in July 1987, the Provo Job Service office had 1,300 more listed openings than during the same period the year before. As a result, Job Service was able to place more than 1,000 more workers in 1987 than in 1986. Rhodes attributed some of the employment increase to the but, re-sta- of Geneva rt decline during the fall and winter months of 1987. Most years unemployment figures increase at that time. Steel, "It can't be the whole answer." Rhodes said he is seeing "a little more solidity and optimism. Other businesses have been very active." immmmmmmmmmmmmm Unemployment continued to according to Rhodes. He said that although the nationwide perception is that service jobs are replacing those in the wmn.M.Mi. l. t.m uijiju. w umiwi iw hmiu-I- hi' These irregulars. gian waffles. Smellie is pro- another "Our long range goal is to 200 restaurants like this across the nation. We're on the move," promises Smellie who, by the way, is just 22, and "learning as he goes," he says. have Working with Dana Robinson and Robinson's "Stars In Revue" talent company "The Wooden Spoon" is booking "We want to let people know we're here. We're We have management quality personnel, people who are enthusiastic, organized, productive. We do look for things to go big. We hope so, it's our livelihood. "We have it all," Smellie smiles. local talent six nights a week. flam-bouya- Monday, Friday and Saturday nights, Headliner acts are featured. Wednesday night is Open Mike Night with the opportunity provided for anyone who wants to perform on stage to do so. - utiiih i nil Tii ' iiiitrirriini- "'ninwii -- iiii ril Capture Warm Smiles This Winter With Beautiful Color Pictures SPECIAL MONEY SAVING PACKAGES consist only of cooking hamburgers or shining shoes is inaccurate. Many of the computer software firms in Utah Valley are based on supplying information, and they also provide jobs for area Package 'B' Package 'A' 2-- I 4 - 5,7 Package 1 81IO 2 5x7 Wallets Wallet! YOUR CHOICE OF ABOVE PACKAGES ng residents. Although he admitted he doesn't have any statistical evidence to back him up, Rhodes said he believes that per capita income in Utah County is increasing in relation to other counties throughout the state. He also said employers seem to be paying slightly higher wages than in the past. He said Job Service has been getting calls from employers who want to know if they will be able to fill a position for $3.35 an hour. He said frequently the employer is told he might have to pay more than that now to find a good person. and Wooden Spoon in Spanish Fork. They are looking to open their fourth and fifth restaurant in the next two months maintaining the family oriented reasonably priced image with pizzazz. sit-do- mmiie0j manufacturing area, a giant economy like that of the United States cannot survive just on people providing services back and forth to each other. He also explained that the idea that service-relate- d jobs high-payi- town Provo moting the fast food ice cream and hamburger image at the same time he's pulling together a family supper atmosphere. top-quali- ty Robinson, The corporation also owns. "The Bear's Lair," in down- For example, Feb. 8, it was cents a kid night." Tuesdays it's a buck an item for hamburgers, shakes and Bel- ty to grow much larger. We have 300 machines and hope to be using all of them in the future. We have the space and equipment and are continually hiring new employees." Leadtec also offers a factory outlet of discontinued and irregular merchanise called the Value Store. "We buy products from other producers of clothing when they close out lines or have Smellie and "79 tion from Bayly's," he said. we're just letting along with a dedicated bunch of zany individuals have thus devised a number of innovative advertising and promotional campaigns to put "The Wooden Spoon" into visibility. wine colors to the interior. He pushed for changes that would keep the customers coming back. Lead l6C 0 rowing sewing plant if together," comments Smellie, "We stayed as a basic restaurant the first month or so after we bought it and then just decided to say, "Hey, let's not be normal." He changed the color scheme, adding pink and Sewing machine operators at Leadtec in Pleasant Grove work on jackets. The company employs 135 people. By JOHN BEST "It's as the pieces of the puzzle fall Eight months ago Doug Smellie took over the management of the Wooden Spoon when it was purchased by the corporation he heads (Wooden Spoon Inc.). i Thursday acts nights, amateur and new are booked. tainment. W Herald Correspondent Leadtec, a California based Tuesday and By SHARON MORREY Herald Correspondent It's not the same Wooden Spoon Utah Valley is used to. The decor is different. The owner is new. And now "The Wooden Spoon" Restaurant in Provo offers nightly enter- ONLY 12 -85i7 - 'C Package 'D' 1IO Si7 16 Wallets Wallet! w5 Reorder Price $19 95 deposit of $2.95 is at time of sitting. A required Slightly Choose pictures more for groups. torm individual or packages. 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