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August 4, 2009
 | August 4, 2009 |
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People
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Written by Debra Hindlemann Webster
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Tuesday, 04 August 2009 09:05 |
 In the late 19th century, a fellow from Vienna, Austria—John Frederick Boepple—who was as bright, inventive, and dedicated as they come, came to the United States in search of what was known as "fresh water pearls." Because of European tariffs and difficulties overseas, his craft of making buttons out of multiple materials, such as horn, wood, lead, and "salt water pearls" had become an outrageous expense, and he was looking for a material less expensive. He found an abundance of it along the Mississippi River, in Muscatine, Iowa; what was to become the button capital of the world.
Boepple, who was really the founder of the button industry, is well documented in books, articles, and even museums; his is indeed a remarkable story. But also from Vienna, arrived around the same time, came another young and hardworking man in the button business—John Weber. Weber, too, arrived in Muscatine, and it is more than likely—although the two men went their separate ways—that they knew one another.
This is about John Weber, his family, "fresh water pearls" that are also known as clams, and the manufacture of buttons. There was an enormous abundance of clams along the river—literally mountains of shells—and that part of gathering raw materials for the buttons was called "clamming." Fresh water clams or "pearls" were 1/100th the cost of European salt water clams; hence, a fortune was to be made in the American button industry as a result. While many other firms came and went, Weber & Sons Button Company, Inc. not only still exists, but is one of the original manufacturers of buttons in this country.
John Weber and his wife had 9 children, enough to run an entire factory at that time. What began as a two-story 20,000 square feet building erected in 1860, grew and grew, and is now 45,000 square feet spanning two separate dwellings with 25 employees, many of whom remain family. Muscatine is a blue-collar factory town, population 34,000, polka-dotted with churches, shopping centers, and monuments to a simpler way of life. "It's two degrees of separation," says Lynne Weber, fourth generation office manager. "If you don't know someone, the person sitting next to you does." There are still multiple factories in existence, and they are operating despite the recession. Farm country surrounds the area, but Muscatine, itself, is pure industry: Yes, in complete compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 04 August 2009 22:13 |
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Companies
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Written by Jackie Rosselli
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Tuesday, 04 August 2009 09:14 |
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 Last month, UniformMarket News Magazine presented the first installment of an executive summary from Frost and Sullivan, a global consulting company that partners with clients to support the development of innovative growth strategies. Part one defined the workwear and uniform marketplace, forecasting trends which may influence its expansion.
In part two, appearing below, the summary turns to competitive factors driving the industry, and draws conclusions likely to spark debate among those who manufacture and distribute uniforms and career wear.
Those discussions will be the focus of part three, appearing here in September. To have your voice included, contact Jackie Rosselli at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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Part Two: Competitive Factors
The workwear industry is highly competitive, and the companies' success depends on their ability to respond to constantly changing consumer demand and fashion trends. The reduction in sales or price because of the competition is likely to affect the companies' financial status directly.
Not all the companies are forecast to dominate the market. The market place is filled with numerous brands and manufacturers of workwear. Some of the companies are likely to be larger and have more resources than others in certain product categories.
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 17 March 2010 08:44 |
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August 4, 2009
