Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1515234
16 Dexter-Russell GROWTH SPURT Business boomed in 1888, keeping Harrington's workers on the job and not on the road. Unable to physically send salesmen to potential customers, the company opted to create and mail a leaflet to small dealers and hardware business owners. e leaflet was an example of the way the company promoted itself. It read, "Not having the time to spare now, we send this instead, hoping it will receive the respect and attention which would in all probability be given us if we called in person. It will reach more firms than we could visit, and at a great deal less expense." e leaflet outlined in detail its products, services, shipping options, and provided an updated price list and guarantee of quality workmanship. In addition to photos and details of its knives, the leaflet offered descriptions of Harrington's extension blades, wood handle shoe shaves and rubber knives. In 1891, Dexter's son Charles became a partner and the firm was renamed D. Harrington & Son. As the company continued to develop additional products, the business became incorporated and named Dexter its president and his son Charles as treasurer and clerk; George Wells of the American Optical Company became the third board member. By 1898, the business had again expanded and the company now employed 25 expert mechanics who were able to produce between 150 and 175 dozen knives per day. Harrington's business and reputation continued to grow and the company earned kudos once again. An article in the July 2, 1902 issue of e Southbridge Press applauded the company for its progressive thinking. "ere is no line of industrial activity in which it is more important to be constantly moving ahead with the quick movement of modern industry than in the manufacture of cutlery. So rapidly are new lines being brought out that, unless a concern is always on the alert, they cannot hope to keep up with their competitors." e newspaper article also praised the company for its interactive and collaborative relationships with customers, a practice that continues today. "e increasing demand for their output has compelled them to largely increase their facilities, continuing along the same chosen way to carefully study the wants, desires and ideas of their customers." rough an arrangement with American Optical, the company moved to a building formerly owned and operated by the Southbridge Optical Company, more recently known as the Leo Cournoyer Building. Harrington began operating from this site on January 1, 1903 with 35 employees. During the next 50 years, the company would produce knives for professional and industrial markets. Product lines eventually came to include: butcher; baker; confectionary; furrier; linoleum; manual training; paint and putty; slicing; and rubber knives, as well as stainless steel household cutlery and spatulas. Today, Dexter products number close to 3,000 and continue to rank as one of the foremost cutlery lines, both in the United States and around the globe. D. Harrington leaflet