This year marks Channellock, Inc.’s 125th year in business, an accomplishment that makes us incredibly proud. We’ve been celebrating all year with new tool improvements and introductions, like our line of high-leverage linemen’s pliers and the 87 rescue tool, and with special promotions like our Gridiron Garage Giveaway, which runs through Jan. 15, 2012.

As a 13-year CHANNELLOCK® associate, I’ve been thinking a lot this year about how we’ve been able to reach this milestone. Many reasons come to mind, like the fact that since our founding in 1886 we’ve been fiercely forging high-quality pliers and hand tools right here in northwest Pennsylvania, or the fact that we have expanded our catalog over the years to include not only the pliers that have made us a household name, but wrenches, screwdrivers and special-use tools that professionals and DIYers use every day.

However, I think the secret to our success has been, and always will be, the CHANNELLOCK® workforce. Among our founder George B. DeArment’s guiding principles, one in particular stands out: People count more than machines. Over the last 125 years, CHANNELLOCK® has taken that principle to heart by demonstrating to all of us associates that the company values our work ethic, contributions and ideas. The company even features many of them in CHANNELLOCK® advertisements. I think that, all of this combined, is why turnover among our nearly 400 associates is incredibly low.

How low? Here’s some perspective. The median tenure for U.S. employees last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, was 4.4 years. At CHANNELLOCK®, only 46 associates have worked at the company for less than five years. When you dig into the numbers, it’s almost unbelievable:

  • 26 CHANNELLOCK® associates have been with us for between 5 – 9 years
  • 68 between 10 – 14 years
  • 53 between 15 – 19 years
  • 56 between 20 – 24 years
  • 27 between 25 – 29 years
  • 48 between 30 – 34 years
  • 41 between 35 – 39 years
  • 8 more than 40 years!

 

Let’s face it: that kind of dedication is not common in today’s workforce. I believe that’s also why it’s hard to find a manufacturer like us that’s still in business after 125 years. Without the commitment of associates, success like ours is impossible.  

Marc Johnston

Director of Workforce Development

Channellock, Inc.