Tales from the Aisles
Furnas Electric, Part II
By 1977, after two years of operation, the Osceola Furnas Electric factory was almost self sustaining. All parts and materials were fabricated in Osceola except pressure switch covers and cases, which were shipped to Osceola from the parent factory in Batavia, Illinois. The Osceola plant had its own tool and dye dept., machine shop, molding and paint depts., spot welding, and tapping facilities.
To give the community a better understanding of the plant’s production, Furnas ran ads in the Osceola Sentinel featuring photos of employees at work, and explained what they did. Betty Ogbourne, one of the original 13 employees, kept a scrapbook of all published publicity. Open houses were held to show the public how pressure switches were produced at Furnas Electric. The quality of these switches has been proven at Robinsons where a freight belt conveyor, operated with Furnas switches, has been in use for many decades.
Furnas Electric was a fun place to work. Plant Manager, Joe Kiefer, encouraged a pleasant atmosphere for work. Sally Riekena, Human Resource Director, helped to implement Kiefer’s philosophy. Tailgate theme parties were held when the Hawkeyes played the Cyclones. There were Watermelon Days, Hot Dog Days, and Beach Bum Days, to name a few. Halloween was a big costume day at Furnas. Many Costumed workers came down town to share their hilarity. On one theme day, six employees in decorated cardboard barrels, came as a Six Pack. Ken Scadden’s stock room became a Harem complete with a card board camel. On Maid’s Day, Plant Engineer, Bob Glasco, dressed as a maid complete with apron, bonnet, stockings and all, only to be confronted by a visiting salesman. When the temperature reached 89 degrees or over, ice cream was served. One of the highlights of year was the annual Employee’s Award Banquet. As the number of workers increased, the banquet was moved from the Osceola Country Club to the Crystal Tree banquet room on Fleur Drive in Des Moines.
The relationship between workers and management was aided by the employee’s question box. Although a few gum wrappers found their way into the box, employee’s suggestions and questions were reviewed weekly in the Employee News Letter. The news letters contained humorous sketches drawn by Sally Riekena. Denise Williams, Sally’s assistant, saved the news letters in a scrapbook and presented the collection to Sally as a retirement gift.
Employees were encouraged to continue their education. Tuition refunds were given to those who took college classes. On the job training was a never ending process to the benefit of employees and ultimately the company. Employees participated on customer satisfaction and quality improvement teams which were headed by Dudley Sook and Sally Riekena. The teams included the department supervisor and volunteers whose ideas contributed to improvements in the work environment as well as customer satisfaction.
The concern for the customer prompted the creation of the “Customer for the Day” program. Names were drawn among the workers to see who would be “Customer for the Day.” The Furnas “Go Jet” flew those who were chosen to the company headquarters in Batavia, Illinois. There they were treated like customers, and as customers, they lent a critical eye to all that was said and experienced. The experience was reversed when Batavia’s “Customers of Day” came to the Osceola plant. When the real customers were flown to Osceola on the Go-Jet, they were impressed.
Sally Riekena said, “Working at Furnas was not a Utopia, we had our share of problems, but the fun outweighed it.”
