Archive - Mar 19, 2008

News of the Tecumseh Products move from its longtime headquarters on Patterson Street to Pittsfield Township, only 30 miles up the road, came as a shock to some people when it was announced last week by CEO Ed Buker in a press release.

Buker, a relative stranger to Tecumseh, stated that the new location would benefit the company because of its proximity to Detroit Metro Airport and “advantages in attracting talented people with international experience.” There’s likely additional reasons for the move as well. We doubt the distance to the airport was a factor and find it difficult to believe that “talented” people aren’t easily attracted to our community. We already have many “talented” people, young and old, to prove it.

The fact is: the Tecumseh Products will be leaving its home after a 74-year span. The fact is sad, some are angry, and many saw it coming.

We encourage the community to be grateful for what the Products, and specifically the Herrick family, have done for our community. It’s tough to say what the face of Tecumseh would look like today had it not been for the generosity of the company that put our city on the map as “the refrigeration capital of the world” with a workforce that at one time reached 5,000.

Ray Herrick and his philosophy of giving back to the community has contributed enormously to the city’s growth. Schools, churches, our hospital, city hall, auditorium, community center, fire department, parks, and more were made possible by gifts from the Herrick family. Tecumseh Products and the Herricks have made a huge impact on the city, one that will last for many years to come. We wish the “new” Tecumseh Products good luck in its new location, and we say a sincere thank you for leaving us with the city we’re proud to call home.

It was a sad afternoon when I read the Tecumseh Products was leaving Tecumseh. It has been heartbreaking to see the empty parking lot.

My husband started working at the Tecumseh Products in June of 1940. In December 1942 he was inducted into the U.S. Army (Infantry) during World War II. We had a three year old son and not much money, so it was necessary for me to work. I moved in with my parents and started working at the Tecumseh Products.

I find it surprising that a lot of people do not know that wives of servicemen received their husband’s seniority when they got a job at the Products — another great gift from Mr. Herrick.

I had a good job and worked there for 13 months until my husband received a commission as Lieutenant and my income from his pay was enough that I no longer had to work. I moved into an apartment in Tecumseh and our son started kindergarten. After the war ended my husband returned to his job at the Tecumseh Products. Shortly after that Mr. Herrick purchased the farm that is now Herrick Park. He gave a lot (land) to Tecumseh Products employees and $100 toward installation of utilities. We had our house built there and once again appreciated Mr. Herrick’s generosity. We often talked about the “free turkeys” at Christmas.

After Mrs. Herrick passed away and Mr. Herrick retired (I had heard he liked raisin pie) so once in a while I made a pie and took it to his home in River Acres and visited for a short time.

I feel privileged to have known Mr. Herrick and all of us in Tecumseh should be forever thankful for having had such a generous man in our town.

I hope the future of Tecumseh Products will be successful wherever they have to locate and also wherever it is, I also hope the name of Ray Herrick will be frequently mentioned. Tecumseh is a much better city with his generosity.

I would like to gratefully thank the many people who have shared their heartfelt sentiments with the City about the departure of Tecumseh Products. I personally have heard from many people, including several areas around the state.  They all share our sentiments. Tecumseh is a great city and community and one that deserves the best for its citizens.

Tecumseh enjoys a very high quality of life and other outstanding qualities that make it such an attractive place for business. What a better location to be!
The Herrick family was not wrong many years ago when they invested in and helped build this community. Obviously, they thought it was a great place to attract good employees too, as some of our other great businesses do today. This has not changed, it has only improved.

The loss of Tecumseh Products in our community will require a change on our part.  I personally look forward to being part of the next phase and seeing the current and future Tecumseh homegrown businesses flourish here.
 

Kevin M. Welch, City Manager
City of Tecumseh

I sure hate to see the Products close. I will miss it. It’s been here so long it’s like a landmark! It holds a lot of memories for me.

My dear husband went to work there in 1952. He retired with more than 30 years of service. He was a metallurgist and welder in the special projects department. After retiring he also worked in Dundee for the Products and was called in to Tupelo, MS at different times where he lectured on welding. He always enjoyed his job for the Projects over the years.

This person was James C. Cole. Jim passed away in April of 2007.
He is very deeply missed!

Jolie E. Cole
Tecumseh