Crest and the world in general were very different places forty years ago. As a company, we sold as much in a year as we do in an average month today. Jay Meiners, Dick Moeller and Bert Kemp were the owners of Crest and all the people mentioned above had direct ties to at least one of these folks in some way. Entry level wages were somewhere above $2.00 per hour and surprisingly enough they were pretty good for the time. Production for Con- tract Packaging and the Dairy Ingredient Division was done at our facility on Main Street (yes, that small building) and we had just begun construction on the facility on Brown Street which has since been added to dozens of times. Women wore white dresses on the production line and men were dressed in white from head to toe and wore paper caps…and we all struggled together to keep the doors open from month to month. While Ashton looked pretty much the same with the exception of a lively business district downtown, the world was a lot different than the one we know today. Jimmy Carter was President – Apple sold their first computer (should have bought stock) – gas was 65 cents a gallon – Rocky (the first one) was playing in the movie theaters – we watched LaVerne and Shirley on one of the 3 channels we could get on TV – we listened to our music on 8-track tapes that often played two tracks at once – we listened to rock music on WLS on the AM radio – Elvis Pre- sley was still alive (until August of 1977). The world and Crest have changed so much since that time. However, the best things about Crest…our people and our culture continue with the same excellence and character that was also our foundation 40 years ago. Thanks again to our 40 year employees to leading the way for the rest of us. Getting to Know 40 Year Employees Ken Drew (Karlin Warehouse Manager) Years at Crest: 47 What was your first job at Crest Foods? My first job was to dump non-dairy coffee creamer for the only produc- tion line Crest had at that time. It was located where the Crest fitness center is now. What brought you to Crest Foods to work? The money! I was working for a lumber yard in Franklin Grove mak- ing $1.85/hr and started with Crest making $2.25/hr. shortly after that I went out and bought a car! What is your favorite work memory over the years? It was the time the ladies on my line gave my wife and I a baby shower for our first son. It was held in the break room which only could hold about 8 to 10 people and that was squeezing them in tight. Where did you go for your 10 year trip? I went to the North Island of New Zealand for three weeks to visit friends and to sight see. What do you remember about Ashton 40 years ago? The downtown! It was still only two blocks long but it had everything you would need. Most memorable co-worker you’ve worked with over the years? Well, I have two! Jan Warner and Neil Henert. I worked closely with both and both are considered to be good friends. What would surprise most people today about working at Crest 40 years ago? Breakrooms, restrooms and the men wore paper hats and the women wore hair nets. Also, the Crest philosophy has not changed from one gen- eration to the other. Chris Pfoutz (Administrative Assistant) Years at Crest: 46 What was your first job at Crest Foods? Hand labeling squat containers in the Main Street warehouse. What brought you to Crest Foods to work? I wanted to work to make money. What is your favorite work memory over the years? There are too many to list, but I thoroughly enjoyed work- ing for Dick Moeller, Bert Kemp, and Charlie Nash. Where did you go for your 10 year trip? Hawaii What do you remember about Ashton 40 years ago? Everyone knew everyone on a first name basis.
2 Crest Ink July, August & September 2017
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