I was reading a report in the local paper about the rumors that Berkline, the biggest manufacturer in town, was going to be laying off a large amount of it’s employees. I don’t work at Berkline, but I know several people that work there, have worked there or work in other places that are vendors that are in the orbit Berkline’s supply line in some manner. The company has fed thousands of families in the Lakeway area with it’s payroll over the last 73 years. While the company hasn’t laid off in mass as the rumors have told it, there has been some layoffs. They have said that the economy has forced the company to make changes to stay open. If the factory did have to lay off the bulk of their workers the butterfly economics
from this would lead other employers having in this part of east Tennessee.
Berkline is a furniture manufacturer that was started in Springfield, Massachusetts by Jacob Popkin in 1928. In 1935 Berkline opened a plant here in Morristown, Tennessee and since then Morristown has remained the headquarters to the company. Today the furniture maker builds recliners, sofas, sectionals and home theater products. All these items have a place in every home. The home theater seating is something I loved to add into my media room, when I finally get a media room.
It’s no secret that the economy is stagnant and that is the main reason that Berkline has reached this point. People are not buying furniture. They are choosing to not go in debt for the purchase or spend what money they have. All of us can live without furniture, just not as comfortable. Even the people whot the recession has not touched just aren’t spending as much these days.
What I’d like to ask everyone that reads this is to consider giving a Berkline product for Christmas this years if you’re already considering furniture as a present. If you can’t decide what you’re going to give this year you should take a look at a Berkline piece. Take one step forward, tell your friends and family about the Berkline story and ask them to consider buying a Berkline when they make a furniture purchase. Not only will be giving a great gift to someone you know, in part you’ll be giving a gift to a whole community.
Now here’s a challenge for all the other bloggers out there. Start looking at companies in your area that are on the bubble of making layoffs or closing that manufacture products that would be a purchase people would make for a Christmas present. When you find that company write a post telling everyone a bout the company and what they have to offer this Christmas. An investment of few hundred words could be the economic stimulus package your home town needs. If you do decide to do this drop me a line at jethro <at> gizmotastic <dot> com and I would be glad to spread the word here also.