OCR Text |
Show Friday, January Pro-Carb- 22, 1982 Sun Advocate, Price, Utah 5 on pulled citizens together in hard times Koret of California employs approximately 115 workers. A majority are women. build Carbon County's economy during the hardpressed 60's. By ANGIE HYRE Staff Writer Traditionally, in times of economic hardship and government instability, Americans have bonded together in efforts to keep their heads above water. The people of Carbon County are no exception. In 1968, Development Co. was formed by concerned citizens trying to deal with the hard pressed community, according to William J. Welsh president. Jr., We were a distressed area filled with high unemployment, he said. The coal mines were not operating at the capacity they are now and there were no job opportunities for women. Welfare rolls were quite high. This bleak picture painted by the former three-termayor of Price, prompted him and Sen. Omar Bunnell, Helper attorney Stan Litizzette and Chris Jouflas to organize the Carbon County Industrial Develop-me. . Bureau. This Organization was dedicated to Promote Carbon County to recruit industrial development in Pro-Carbo- Pro-Carb- n on m nt . .' the county and bring badly needed jobs into the community. was the financial arm of the development bureau. After extensive Carbon County promotional campaigns financed principally by the individuals themselves, Koret of California, a womens sportswear manufacturer with headquarters in San Francisco, made its home south of Price on Pro-Carbo- n U-1- 0. The responsibility of providing Koret of California with an appropriate building rested in the hands of the development bureau. There were no federal funds involved and money was tight, Welsh said. Carbon Emery Bank (now Zions First National Bank) agreed to finance construction of the building if could raise $80,000 of the $237,354 cost of the project. at $1 Over 300 citizens bought stock in per share. Some were on welfare and bought two shares, Welsh said. The lease for Koret began March 21, 1968 and was set for 15 years with two five-yeextensions.' One extension has been taken, according to Bunnell, and Pro-Carb- Pro-Carb- ar he expects Koret to act on the second term. After 11 months of construction by R&R Builders of Price, Koret opened its doors in a public dedication Sept. 7, 1968. We were quite proud of our accomplishments, Bunnell said. It was our contribution to help get out of the recession. Koret of California is a diversified San Francisco-base- d consumer-oriente- d fashion industry leader. The Price location was the first plant located outside of the San Francisco Bay area. Since the plants opening, Levi Strauss has purchased Koret of California. The company invented the Koratron process introduced in 1964 that enabled washable garments to keep their shape. It is not a cheap product, Welsh said. With a building and 67 sewing machines, Koret provided an additional 115 jobs for Carbon County residents. We were in a bad way in 1967 and 1968., Welsh said. Koret was a godsend. It kept a lot of people in jobs. 30,000-square-fo- ot sought Koret as a means to Pro-Carbo- Koret still plays a big part in the lives of Carbon County residents. Despite the increase in coal productivity, jobs for women are not readily available. Koret still employs approximately 115 workers and a majority are women. Koret pays $1,263.11 per month for use of the building. They are responsible for general housekeeping and maintenance. Smuin & Rich, certified public accounting firm in Price, released the 1981 comparative balance sheet which shows assets totaling $36,056, compared to 1980s figure of $31,052. Net income per share of stock in 1981 totaled .127. Because of this low return on each share of stock, the board has decided to hold these earnings until distribution of a more substantial sum can be made, according to Bunnell. Certainly everybody will get their money back if they wait five years or so, he said. But, he added that was not intended to be a buying stock in g venture but one to pull together the people of Carbon County in their time of economic Pro-Carbo- Pro-Carb- Pro-Carb- money-makin- strife. Koret employee packages A the popular sports-wea- r line for distribution. Levi Strauss has since bought of Koret California. Koret and officials were reviewing plans for the Price plant. From left is William J. Welsh Jr., Pro Carbon president; William Tiesman, vice president and director of manufacturing for Koret; Douglas Whiteley, Koret production manager in San Francisco; and Burk Biersdorf, first Koret manager. At left, Koret In mid-1960- employees Pro-Carbo- celebrate n making of plant's garment. From left are Burk Biersdorf, plant manager; Earl Marra, plant engineer; Mabel Steelman, floor supervisor; and P. Hampton McArthur, office manager celebrate the company's accomplishment. 1,000,000,000th 1 |