A Modern-Day American Hero

The HFW we know today would not be here without this man. 

I know he probably wouldn’t want me to tell this story. He has always been a low-key guy, which is something I greatly admire.

But the fact is, you can’t tell the story of HFW Industries, Inc. without talking about my grandfather, Jon.

After his dad—HFW’s founder—became sick in the mid-1970s, my grandfather took over the business.

Only a few years removed from school, my grandfather was a young husband, dad and homeowner.

There was already a lot of pressure on him. Taking over the business only compounded that.

Mind you, my grandfather didn’t exactly walk into a cushy job when he assumed the President’s office at HFW. Conversely, the bankers told him that the business was on life support. They doubted it would survive a month longer.

That conversation happened 48 years ago. 192 months later, HFW is still here.

That is because of my grandfather.

Time and time again, he has defied the odds.

He built the business on simple premises: good people, high quality work, and a truly cooperative relationship with our customers. We are not selling a product; we are selling manufacturing and material expertise.

Even when there were alluring opportunities to dabble in other realms, he stayed laser-focused on building, growing and maintaining this niche. It has paid off.

Building a high-quality American manufacturer amidst an economic backdrop where the industry was continually being decimated by offshoring and globalization, he persevered through challenge after challenge.

He has always done things the right way.

He has continuously made sure our people have been treated well. Pay and benefits are top of class. When other companies lay people off in droves, he has found ways to keep our people employed. The large number of employees and retirees who count their time at HFW in decades is no coincidence.

He is cognizant of the fact that the value we provide our customers is oftentimes far beyond what was promised. But that creates loyalty, which is a big part of HFW’s success over 75 years.

I think my grandfather is a fine example of the many unsung heroes that are the real titans of industry in America. It is fun to read about the exploits of the Elon Musks or Jamie Dimons of the world, but it is men and women like my grandfather that are truly at the heart of America’s economic engine.

He has built a business that has, over his 50+ years at the company, supported hundreds of employees and their families. Materials and products that nearly every American uses everyday are made possible by the likes of my grandfather and the terrific people at HFW.

He is one of my personal heroes, and I think he is also proof that the American Dream is still alive and well.

He is a modern-day American hero. If he won’t give himself that credit, I will.

A lot of us are indebted to the tireless work of people like Jon Watson. We are very lucky.