THE MILL WHISTLE
Vol. 32
Eden, N. C., February 25, 1974
No. 15
Fieldcrest Is Leader
In SavEnergy Drive
Fieldcrest Mills, Inc. , has
been awarded a U.S.
Department of Commerce
SavEnergy Citation for its lead
ership in nation-wide energy
conservation.
The company was notified in a
letter from Frederick B. Dent,
Secretary of Commerce, to
William C. Battle, president of
Fieldcrest Mills, Inc.
In part, the letter stated, “We
commend your company’s
foresight in beginning energy
saving actions in early 1973 . . .
The nation’s ultimate success in
this endeavor will depend upon
the actions taken, such as yours,
by all companies and industries.
This problem has both short and
long range ramifications
necessitating a continual effort
into the future.
“We are particularly
interested in the specific actions
that your company has taken
and hope that other companies
might benefit from your
experiences ...”
The 15 specific actions taken
by the company to which Mr.
Dent referred are: (1) reduction
of leaks, (2) improvement of
insulations and weatherstrip-
pings, (3) reduction in and
partial elimination of lighting
including cutting off lights in idle
or unoccupied areas, (4)
reducing temperatures 6 to 8
degrees in heated areas, and (5)
reducing exhausts.
Also, (6) reducing refrigera
tion loads when production is not
adversely affected by using
outside air for cooling where
possible, (7) reducing and
cutting off heat in unoccupied
warehouses except as required
to prevent freezing, (8) reducing
idling time of equipment, (9)
recycling all condensate and
cooling water possible, (10)
burning waste lubricants by
mixing with oil fuels instead of
discarding, (11) scheduling
operations so as to reduce
energy demand peaks, (12)
scheduling transportation and
combining trips between plants,
(13) promoting carpools,
walking and cycling to
employees where feasible, (14)
installation of further heat
reclaiming equipment, and (15)
making the maximum use of
coal instead of fuels in shorter
supply.
At least partly as a result of
these actions taken at all
locations, Fieldcrest’s energy
consumption per man-hour of
operation was 27.9 percent less
in December, 1973, than in
December, 1972. This is an
equivalent saving of 122,801
million BTU in use of coal, oil,
gas and electricity over the
same month of the prior year,
according to J. G. Farrell,
Fieldcrest energy conservation
coordinator.
Monthly reports and check
lists are being made at each
location to determine the
amount of energy saved. The
figures for the month of January
are still being compiled, Mr.
Farrell said.
Sets 12-Year Attendance Record
Save On Gas And Have Fun, Too!
These two Blanket Mill employees are conserving gas and seem to be enjoying every
minute of it. They ride bicycles to and from work whenever the weather permits. At left
is Faye Chaney, a smash hand in the Weave Room. Frank Biegar is a card and harness
man, also in the Weave Room.
Fieldcrest Mills Has Record Sales In 73
Fieldcrest Mills, Inc., has
reported record sales and near
record earnings for 1973. Sales
reached a level of $290,813,000,
up 19 percent from $244,081,000
in 1972. Excluding sales of Swift
Spinning Mills, acquired in
March, 1973, sales for 1973
increased 12 percent over the
preceding year.
Fieldcrest’s after-tax earnings
for 1973 were $9,354,000,
increasing 25 percent from
$7,504,000 in 1972. Earnings per
share, were $2.62 for 1973
compared with $2.10 in 1972.
Sales for the fourth quarter of
1973 were $88,686,000 compared
to $73,099,000 in 1972. Net
earnings for the quarter were
$4,360,000 ($1.22 per share), up
from $2,418,000 ($.68 per share)
in the prior year.
William C. Battle, president
and chief executive officer,
observed that even though the
sales and earnings increases
were most gratifying, the profit
margins were still below a
satisfactory level and particular
emphasis would be placed on
this aspect of business in 1974.
Gasoline Thefts Increase
In Company Parking Lots
Johnnie Barber, with 12 years of perfect attendance on
the job, is presented Savings Bond by W. F. Crumley,
plant manager of Blanket Greige Mill. See story and pic
ture of Blanket attendance champions on page eight.
Reports of gasoline being
stolen from employee vehicles
parked in unfenced parking lots,
as well as some fenced lots, have
been increasing, according to R.
R. Beaver, director of security.
In view in the continuing
shortage and rising price of
gasoline, the situation is
expected to worsen, Mr. Beaver
said.
Although security guards have
been instructed to observe
parking areas more frequently.
Mr. Beaver is urging each
employee to report to guards
and-or supervisors the presence
of unknown or suspicious
persons in parking areas. He
also suggests that employees
purchase locking gas tank caps
or spring-type devices which fit
inside the gas tank as prevention
against theft.
“Swift action will be taken to
prosecute anyone found stealing
gas or anything else from cars
parked on Company property,”
Mr. Beaver said.
In discussing the performance
for the year, he attributed the
sales and earnings increases to
several factors. Among these
were a marked reduction in the
production of off-quality
merchandise; effective control
of costs and expenses accruing
from a vigorous profit
improvement program
throughout the company;
stronger product lines; and
certain price increases allowed
by the Cost of Living Council in
the third and fourth quarters
which helped reduce the adverse
effect of substantially higher
raw material costs.
In addition. Swift Spinning
made an important contribution
to earnings for both the fourth
quarter and the entire year.
Battle further stated that the
current unfilled order position
continues to be significantly
ahead of last year. “Sales and
mill activity in the early part of
1974 continue to be strong,” he
said,“and we are enthusiastic
about prospects for the year.”
SAVE ENERGY!
On The Job
And At Home