Bill Newman, vice-president and co-owner of Bergstrom Foundry, Inc. in Aberdeen, was tying up a few loose ends at the office last Thursday afternoon. It was 1 p.m. Newman, 66, planned on officially becoming a retiree by 2 p.m. He’s handled sales and marketing for the casting business since 1993.
Workers were completing year-end inventory and doing chores around the 15,000-square foot shop at 316 E. State St. Business often slows down during election years, said Newman. He suspects it’s because of a general feeling of uncertainty many business owners have when don’t know who will be leading the country.
“But after the election, life is good,” Newman explained. “In the meantime, we’ve been doing stuff you never really have time to do when you’re busy.” He then pointed out that customer orders are beginning to pick up once again, so the other tasks needed to be wrapped up quickly.
Emails were pouring in to Newman’s office computer. People sent messages wishing him well and saying goodbye. Some customers, however, were seeking assurance they would be treated the same way by the employees who will be taking over his responsibilities. Employees have been performing Newman’s tasks for months so he’s thoroughly comfortable endorsing their skills. He’s going to be available by phone if people at the foundry have questions for him anyway.
“Service is the word,” Newman said. “If you don’t provide it, they can find another foundry on the internet in a heartbeat these days.”
Newman grew up in Aberdeen and graduated from Central Washington University with a degree in Music. He and business partner Don Little met years ago while they worked together at an industrial supply house. Both left that business at different times to pursue other interests but were still in contact. Newman was working as an estimator and Little took over Bergstrom in 1989. Little’s wife, Diane, was the niece of previous foundry owner Ken Miller.
A development in the area’s foundry industry piqued the interests of Newman and Little.
“A foundry came up for sale in Seattle. Financially, we went in together and bought it,” he said.
The move ultimately strengthened Bergstrom because the Seattle foundry had a large number of clients with a variety of casting needs. The two men moved it down here to Aberdeen to be part of Bergstrom, which has been in operation continuously since 1946.
“We became more diversified,” he said about Bergstrom. “Before that, there were only four customers.”
Bergstrom is known in the trade as a non-ferrous foundry because the products are made from aluminum, brass and bronze, not iron.
Newman said retirement is going to allow him more time to perform with the band Dukes of Swing. He’s a saxophonist. He’ll also have more time to spend with his family. He and his wife, Denise, have two children and two grandchildren. The resident of Cosmopolis is also a long-time member of the city’s Planning Commission and was honored nearly 30 years ago as Aberdeen’s Elk of the Year.
Though Newman was simply looking for something fun and different to do for a living when he became part of Bergstrom, he has received a great deal of satisfaction knowing the castings made in his plant have been used for so many useful purposes.
As the clock moved closer to 2 p.m. he showed some of the pieces created at the foundry. These included a windmill gear, a piece used in a fish processor and a clamp for a swing set. He also displayed a couple of fancy metal nameplates, which make up a good portion of the items made there these days.
Though the workshop can be loud and hot when people are casting, Miller once said working in a foundry gets in your blood. “And it did,” Newman added. “It’s been a good ride.”
Bill Newman shows one of the many nameplates cast by the Bergstrom Foundry. The co-owner has retired after more than 20 years there leading sales and marketing efforts. (Terri Harber|The Daily World)
Bill Newman shows one of the many nameplates cast by the Bergstrom Foundry. The co-owner has retired after more than 20 years there leading sales and marketing efforts.(Terri Harber|The Daily World)
Bill Newman shows one of the many nameplates cast by the Bergstrom Foundry. The co-owner has retired after more than 20 years there leading sales and marketing efforts. (Terri Harber|The Daily World)
Bill Newman shows one of the many nameplates cast by the Bergstrom Foundry. The co-owner has retired after more than 20 years there leading sales and marketing efforts.(Terri Harber|The Daily World)
