Post by MiG on Feb 24, 2010 17:20:32 GMT -5
40 years on, still weaves his magic
In the increasingly globalised, cut-throat world of manufacturing, Horgos has carved out a 40 year career in the face of fast-changing technology and a massive global credit crunch.
The 55-year-old marks his milestone at Melbourne's St Albans Textiles, a small company in the south-eastern suburb of Huntingdale that produces mohair, wool and more recently – in an effort to stave off the downturn - alpaca rugs, blankets and scarves.
Now the production manager, Mr Horgos' manufacturing career started by chance, after he and his family moved from Croatia (then Yugoslavia) seeking a better life.
“At that time the life was hard for them. My father was the only one working so they made a big decision to move out,” Mr Horgos said.
A move halfway across the world - including six months in a migrant camp in Austria - was life-changing for the teenaged , who had never been more than 100 kilometres from home.
then faced the death of his father.
While his mother, two brothers and a sister struggled to pay off the house 's parents had bought in Noble Park, it proved difficult for the young migrant to get an education.
“I wanted to go to school really,” he said. “We went to (visit) a school somewhere in Caulfield but because I didn't speak any English they wouldn't take me in, so I started here (St Albans Textiles).”
Beginning on one of the more mundane factory jobs, working the raising machine, Horgos was soon offered a four-year apprenticeship which saw him rise up through the ranks.
In the more prosperous manufacturing days, St Albans Textiles, which remains the largest manufacturer of mohair products in Australia, had up to 20 employees. But due to increased automation and decreasing demand, the company, a very small operation in a suburban street, now runs on only about 10 staff.
It takes just a handful of employees to control the main machines, which quietly weave together the mohair, wool and alpaca, smooth them out or fluff them up.
Two women with steady hands cut up the products destined for use as scarves.
Like many manufacturers, many staff are working four days for the moment, and the company is introducing new ideas to help boost sales.
St Albans Textiles sells to major retailers including Freedom, Myer and David Jones, but business is still fickle, and piles of blankets wait in the storeroom to be delivered.
“It's tough, it's really tough. It comes in waves, it's not steady demand for anything,” Mr Horgos says.
“I think it's getting better, especially with our new designs.”
While Mr Horgos is by far the longest term employee, the multicultural staff is also very loyal, many clocking up decades of service.
“It's very hard describing it to anybody who doesn't work like we do,” Mr Horgos said.
“Everyone supports each other when we have to do things. It's just like a family really.”
On February 24, the grandson of the man who originally employed him will honour Mr Horgos' achievement.
Company director Richard Gough said his employee was a rare treasure.
“'s a natural wonder in this industry, not only for his formidable technical skills but for his unwavering loyalty,” Mr Gough said.
Mr Horgos says he has never grown bored in the job.
“I always like organising things and solving problems and inventing things for the machines. Even when it's bad it's interesting because it's so bad.”
While retirement seems some way, Mr Horgos, who jogs and swims in his spare time, says cutting down his hours is somewhere in the grand plan.
“I have people here who weren't even born when I started so it makes me feel really old,” he smiles.
In the increasingly globalised, cut-throat world of manufacturing, Horgos has carved out a 40 year career in the face of fast-changing technology and a massive global credit crunch.
The 55-year-old marks his milestone at Melbourne's St Albans Textiles, a small company in the south-eastern suburb of Huntingdale that produces mohair, wool and more recently – in an effort to stave off the downturn - alpaca rugs, blankets and scarves.
Now the production manager, Mr Horgos' manufacturing career started by chance, after he and his family moved from Croatia (then Yugoslavia) seeking a better life.
“At that time the life was hard for them. My father was the only one working so they made a big decision to move out,” Mr Horgos said.
A move halfway across the world - including six months in a migrant camp in Austria - was life-changing for the teenaged , who had never been more than 100 kilometres from home.
then faced the death of his father.
While his mother, two brothers and a sister struggled to pay off the house 's parents had bought in Noble Park, it proved difficult for the young migrant to get an education.
“I wanted to go to school really,” he said. “We went to (visit) a school somewhere in Caulfield but because I didn't speak any English they wouldn't take me in, so I started here (St Albans Textiles).”
Beginning on one of the more mundane factory jobs, working the raising machine, Horgos was soon offered a four-year apprenticeship which saw him rise up through the ranks.
In the more prosperous manufacturing days, St Albans Textiles, which remains the largest manufacturer of mohair products in Australia, had up to 20 employees. But due to increased automation and decreasing demand, the company, a very small operation in a suburban street, now runs on only about 10 staff.
It takes just a handful of employees to control the main machines, which quietly weave together the mohair, wool and alpaca, smooth them out or fluff them up.
Two women with steady hands cut up the products destined for use as scarves.
Like many manufacturers, many staff are working four days for the moment, and the company is introducing new ideas to help boost sales.
St Albans Textiles sells to major retailers including Freedom, Myer and David Jones, but business is still fickle, and piles of blankets wait in the storeroom to be delivered.
“It's tough, it's really tough. It comes in waves, it's not steady demand for anything,” Mr Horgos says.
“I think it's getting better, especially with our new designs.”
While Mr Horgos is by far the longest term employee, the multicultural staff is also very loyal, many clocking up decades of service.
“It's very hard describing it to anybody who doesn't work like we do,” Mr Horgos said.
“Everyone supports each other when we have to do things. It's just like a family really.”
On February 24, the grandson of the man who originally employed him will honour Mr Horgos' achievement.
Company director Richard Gough said his employee was a rare treasure.
“'s a natural wonder in this industry, not only for his formidable technical skills but for his unwavering loyalty,” Mr Gough said.
Mr Horgos says he has never grown bored in the job.
“I always like organising things and solving problems and inventing things for the machines. Even when it's bad it's interesting because it's so bad.”
While retirement seems some way, Mr Horgos, who jogs and swims in his spare time, says cutting down his hours is somewhere in the grand plan.
“I have people here who weren't even born when I started so it makes me feel really old,” he smiles.