Posted January 6, 2015

 

Happy new year, y’all. As we kick off 2015 in full throttle, I wanted to clear out the notebook in preparation for providing you lots more compelling, exclusive content in the months ahead.

 

Maintaining family traditions

 

I was privileged in recent weeks to visit two family-owned operations that do things right. I recently blogged about my experience and lessons learned at Pharr Yarns, and I also wanted to offer some insights on another company I met with: Standard Colors of High Point, N.C. Owned by the Picha family, the 35-year-old company was truly built from the ground up and, like Pharr, operates in a family environment. David Picha, the co-founder and currently the company’s chairman, implemented this employee-focused philosophy in the early days. And what better way to institute trust, camaraderie and a layer-less atmosphere than to wear the hats of – or roll up your sleeves with – your employees?

 

Picha did just that, especially back in the company’s formative years. And that often meant getting his hands dirty. “David helped out in warehousing and distribution as needed,” said 28-year-employee Rodney Tharp, the company’s vice president of operations. In the warehouse, we had a yellow row (of dyes), a red row and a blue row – and Dave and I knew where everything was. We didn’t have computers, but we did have card folders that helped us remember. We stacked everything by hand. Dave and I would put our hands on every drum in there. When we shipped one, we high-fived each other. David outworked me many a day.”

 

Picha’s work ethic and willingness to do whatever was needed to get shipments out certainly had a lasting impression on Tharp – and likely figured prominently in the company’s ability to grow and succeed.

 

Picha’s son Tom Picha, now the company’s president, said he learned a lot from his father growing up around the business, and maintains his operating philosophy. Working as a team in a family atmosphere and putting customers and employees first is the best way to do business, the younger Picha said. Tom Picha had other fleeting aspirations in life – being a pilot, for instance, which he was for a short time – but said he always knew in the back of his mind he probably would join the company. “I have dye in my veins,” he said.

 

Oh, and related to Pharr Yarns, let me add something else: I learned the company has a chaplain available for employees, which is very unique in today’s business world. Joseph Martin “Bip” Carstarphen III, the longtime CEO of Pharr Yarns who lost his battle with cancer last May, insisted on there being a minister at the company so employees would have someone to talk to about spiritual matters or personal crises. As with so many other aspects of the McAdenville, N.C. company, this only amplifies Carstarphen’s deep care and concern he had for his employees. And, like Tom Picha, Carstarphen’s son Bill is carrying on his father’s tradition and legacy.

 

Let’s hear your good news this year

 

As we embark on a new year full of promise, I look forward to sharing with you our industry’s good news. Many of you are “on the ground” and know of that company – maybe yours – that is doing some great things under the radar. Or know of a person who has some newsworthy stories to tell. I’d love to hear your ideas. If you have one or come across any, please send them to me here.

 

It’s an exciting time to be in this wonderful world of textiles, huh?

Clearing out the notebook
as we embark on a new year