Valley workers are the best

The Japanese learned our statistical quality control methods from us, the good old USA. I was one of the first to use that method in 1951 at the old Republic Rubber Division. We made some of the best industrial hydraulic-control rubber hose in the world.

When I was quality control manager in 1965, the chief engineer of a new customer, the Parker-Hannifin Corp., came to visit us to evaluate our quality control system. I asked him, “What specifications do you want us to use to produce the hose for you?” His reply: “Produce to your specifications, because you are the Cadillac in the industry.”

Our great workers made me very proud of them. I completed my world of work career at Commercial Shearing Inc. I joined them in 1971 as quality control manager of their cylinder division. John Deere, a Cadillac-style company in the farm equipment industry, sent an engineer to evaluate us for the hydraulic cylinders we were going to make for them. We were awarded the contract a feather in our cap because of our great work force.

Whether it be rubber, steel and now automobiles (the Chevrolet Cruze), quality is ingrained in the workers of our Valley. We do not have to take a back seat to anyone in the world. I know, I was there.

In the final paragraph of my autobiography, “Rag Man, Rag Man,” I offer this thought on our revitalization efforts: “The steel mills may be gone, but our steel wills are not. May Youngstown continue to live, to grow, and to prosper, for my sake and for the sake of my family that continues to live and like it here.”

Michael J. Lacivita is a Youngstown retiree and a member of the Ohio Senior Citizen Hall of Fame and Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame.