As promised in our first blog post back in April, we are proceeding ahead with tackling the many avenues offered by Social Networking. We are now on Facebook and Linked In, and just recently posted our first video snippet on our own YouTube Channel. Hand in hand with that, our web pages have been updated to include these iconic links so all our associates, friends, family and prospects may follow us. Now comes the fun and boundless work of keeping all these viral hotspots dynamic and relevant.

G. Frederick Rexon Sr., Founder of both Precision Automation Co., Inc. and Paco Manufacturing
With that, I should also add that I promised in the first blog to spotlight members of our team, as they are pāco manufacturing®’s most valuable resource. After you read the rest of this post, there will be no question as to why our first recognized individual is none other than G. Frederick Rexon, Sr., the founder of pāco manufacturing® (58 years ago in 1953) and of our (older) sister plant, Precision Automation Co., Inc. (65 years ago in 1946), located in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Until recently, Mr. Rexon held the title of CEO of both companies.
Precision Automation celebrated their 65th Anniversary this past January. The celebration also doubled as a salute to Mr. Rexon. Many words of tribute were expressed for his 65 years of service, for nurturing a business (actually two) especially during the tough times within the manufacturing sector, and for impacting many of our lives during his leadership. In a blog post on Precision Automation’s website, Dan Rexon eloquently summed up the evening when he wrote:
The story of our business truly is a great one. We have created a legacy of achievement that every employee of Precision Automation should be profoundly proud of. We have always remained true to our customers, our employees and our mission statement. I can only imagine what an overwhelming sense of pride our longtime skipper must have felt during this affair. [complete article].
You should definitely read the remainder of Dan’s post as it provides a great account of a major milestone for a company and many of its associates. Included is a superb YouTube video link depicting the history of Precision Automation Co., Inc. as well as its most valuable resource – its staff. The story began in a small, privately owned machine fabrication shop in Haddonfield, New Jersey called Precision Parts Company. It expanded/moved seven times to its current location in Cherry Hill, New Jersey (1966). The company changed its name to Precision Automation Co., Inc. in 1972 to reflect the new focus of including the design and manufacture of automation machinery along with its machined parts and fabrication services. From 1972 to the present, Precision Automation has expanded its business to include many product lines and another service division – product handling services. During this time, Mr. Rexon also set up shop in Indiana, over 700 miles from his current business to a totally unknown locale, quite a vision and subsequent accomplishment for a small business owner to do as a result of a valued customer’s request. It said something of the man and his commitment to his customers. That is how our company was born [and yes - in an old, vacant movie theater, slanted floor and ticket both included].
On our company website (www.pacomfg.com), I wrote an article about the event as well, and would like to reference to this news item again. It is quite an accomplishment for a small company in the United States to make it in the manufacturing sector for 65 consecutive years, but there is no greater triumph than to have achieved this milestone under the leadership of a single family with the continued involvement by the founder of the business. Our president, Glen A. Morris, reflected on Mr. Rexon’s effective leadership qualities (from his speech at the 65th Anniversary dinner) where Mr. Morris said:
Mr. Rexon has always supported our Indiana Company through bad times and full of praise in good times. He never gave up on the people. Those of us working there now and those that preceded us are thankful for his support. [complete speech]
From the heart, Mr. Morris described Mr. Rexon as a boss, a teacher, a friend, a counselor, a father figure and much more. These attributes along with his belief of not giving up endeared him with his employees and promoted long term loyalty by many in both plants.
Given this opportunity, I would like to offer for consideration a list depicting the qualities of a good leader which I gleaned from Mr. Morris’ speech regarding Mr. Rexon:
| QUALITIES OF A GOOD LEADER |
| Never Give Up On the People |
| Give Support Through Bad Times |
| Give Praise In Good Times |
| Always Believe There Is A Way To Succeed |
| Figure Out What Is Not Working |
| Try Again |
| Don’t Give Up |
Mr. Rexon ran two businesses, but he believed in the community as well. For many years he was a volunteer firefighter and belonged to the first aid squad in his hometown. He is extremely active in his church. He raced speed boats in his youth, and still enjoys speeding along the Jersey coast in his motorboat. He has been an avid golfer, and has enjoyed travel between his continued involvements with both plants. Now with his wife, Charlotte, Mr. Rexon will have much more time to travel, visit with family and friends, and enjoy his well-deserved Golden Years! God Bless!
[postscript from Sue: I have personally known Mr. Rexon for many years as I have worked at both companies on/off through my working life. I purposely added quotes from Dan Rexon and Glen Morris because I could not have expressed it any better (kind of like finding that perfect Hallmark card). Mr. Rexon has taught me much about business, but also about life. I thank him from my heart and wish him all the best as he has now begun a new chapter in his life.]