Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 22, 1995 TAG: 9501260021
SECTION: ECONOMY PAGE: NRV-32 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: DONNA ALVIS-BANKS AND BRENDA FARMER STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The white downy material on the inside of the plastic cover is a protective interlining for the floppy disk itself. It looks very much like one of those disposable towelettes you use on the baby's bottom.
Hollingsworth & Vose Co. in Floyd County manufactures interliners for a variety of purposes.
Doug Robinson, administrative services manager for Hollingsworth & Vose, said the company makes liners for nonwoven apparel, computer disks, filtration devices for the automotive industry, backings for window blinds and many other products.
"It's like the little piece of material for cologne samples you get from Avon," he explained.
Robinson said 60 percent of the material made in Floyd County is exported, but the company does supply local manufacturers, such as Donkenny Inc., with the interlining for clothing.
Hollingsworth & Vose Co. has been in Floyd County for 19 years and employs about 100 people, Robinson said. The workers are not unionized and are involved in team-based management. The company does not hire workers on an hourly wage scale.
"Everyone who works here is on salary," Robinson said.
Here is a small sampling of other products made in the New River Valley:
Crushed ice. Cassco Ice & Cold Storage in Radford has been producing crushed ice since 1974, when its present facility was built. But ice has been distributed throughout the New River Valley and West Virginia to hospitals, convenience and grocery stores from Radford as far back as 1895, when block-style ice was produced, according to plant manager, Danny Anderson.
The company employs up to 10 workers during the summer months.
Wine. The Morrisette family has been making wine at Floyd County's Chateau Morrisette Winery Inc. since 1977. Today its premium wines can be found in many businesses throughout Virginia and North Carolina. The winery is located on 30 acres in Meadows of Dan where it grows most of its grapes but also purchases grapes from other Virginia growers. Wine maker Robert Burgin says the winery employs about 25 people and offers tours, tastings and sales on site year round. Chateau Morrisette also has fine cuisine for lunch, brunch or dinner at its restaurant.
Lights. Hubbell Lighting Inc. has been located in Christiansburg for 22 years. Hubbell manufactures flood lighting and industrial lighting. Its products can be seen locally in the parking lots at New River Valley Mall, Duncan Enterprises, Shelor's, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Wendy's, Hardee's, and Lane Stadium at Virginia Tech as well as parks, schools and churches. The company is owned by Hubbell Inc. and has 27 other plants throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Christiansburg plant employs 580 people.
Magnetic iron oxide products. Magnox Inc. in Pulaski was purchased by the Japanese-owned Mitsui Mining and Smelting on Nov. 28, 1994. The plant manufactures magnetic iron oxide products for video and audio recording and for magnetic image card recognition (MICR) and magnetite for copier toner. The plant employs 180 people. The plant has been making iron oxide products since 1964, when Hercules Inc. took over the facility. It became Magnox Inc. in 1986 when Hercules Inc. sold the plant.
by CNB