Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1419323
18 S T U F F • 2 0 2 1 • StuffMadeinMA.com Vibram's leadership, but by employees who have been with the manufacturing plant for 20, 30, and 40 years. Generations of locals have been employed by Quabaug Corp. and Vibram throughout the decades. "If we have great persons, you have great products, but you can't have great products without great persons," Donahue said. Vibram's present Vibram has a presence in more than 150 countries and has more than 1,000 employees worldwide. Richard Caron, Vibram director of human resources, said the focus on employees and leadership development is something he takes pride in, especially as someone who has spent nearly 40 years with the company. Being a former plant worker, Caron understands what it is like to do the job and brings that perspective into his workplace initiatives. Creating rubber compounds is a very specialized process since the chemicals are highly unstable, meaning everything from mixing to the curing and vulcanization process needs to be exact to prevent cracking and other product malfunctions. Vibram customizes its designs and compounds to suit the needs and uses of its customers, which means factory workers are pivotal in completing this specialized work, said Caron. As with most companies post-pandemic, Vibram is looking to hire new talent at its plant. "The misconception was always: 'Well, you can get anyone to work in a factory. You can just find anyone on the street. They do not have to be that smart.' That is not how it is, especially here at Vibram," Caron said. Vibram's future While initially created with mountaineers and hikers in mind, Vibram has worked to enter many different markets as the company diversify its product offerings and its consumer insights. Since 2000, Strategic Account Executive Lawrence Anastas has worked with partners in outdoor, athletic, and lifestyle segments to market Vibram to a whole new generation of consumers. Vans, Ugg, Timberland, Merrell, Vasque, and The North Face, are just a few of the brands Vibram has developed relationships with 35% Increase in the average annual salary of a U.S. manufacturing employee from 2008 to 2020 P H O T O | C O U RT E S Y O F V I B R A M Byron Ake has worked in the preform department at Vibram since 2017. 30% The average annual Worcester County construction worker salary is 30% higher than the average salary of an education industry employee in 2020. Continued from page 17