DANA CORP. EXCELS

A relative newcomer to the Cape Girardeau manufacturing scene has been accorded the Chamber of Commerce's highest honor for industry.

Dana Corporation, which opened the doors to a $23 million facility on Southern Expressway early in 1990, was recognized as the 1993 "Industry of the Year," at the annual Chamber of Commerce's Industrial Appreciation Dinner Thursday night.

"This is a great honor," said Dana plant manager Dave Blanchard, who accepted the giant Commitment to Excellence Award from Chamber president John Mehner. More than 800 people attended the banquet, held at the Show Me Center on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University.

"The Cape Girardeau area has served us well and we're looking forward to additional growth here," Blanchard said.

Dana, which opened with about 60 workers in February 1989, now employs more than 200 people working three shifts a day.

"We hope to expand our work force to more than 325 and add a few millions dollars in capital investment here," added Blanchard, who is no stranger to the annual industrial banquet.

"When I came here three years ago, this (banquet) was the first function I attended," he said. "It impressed me then and it still impresses me."

Blanchard said he had no idea that Dana was to be in the industrial spotlight Thursday until Harry Rediger mentioned a company that was involved in axle assembly.

"We won't mention the company's name until later in the program," said Rediger, chairman of chamber board of directors. "But it won't take long for people here to figure out who we're talking about.

"This year's winner is a part of a national operation which impacts not only Cape Girardeau but the entire region, nation and many parts of the world," said Rediger, who traced the growth of the company locally.

Two Dana representatives spent a lot of time in Cape Girardeau from June 1988 through January 1989, talking with area employers, chamber of commerce members. The company settled on a 15-acre tract in 630 Corporation's Industrial Park located along Southern Expressway.

In mid-January 1989, Dana Corporation officials announced a $23 million, 140,000-square-foot manufacturing facility to be located in Cape Girardeau.

Today, the firm is listed among the top 25 industries in the Southeast Missouri area, with more than 225 employees.

Nationally, Dana Corporation started out as Spicer Manufacturing when Clarence Spicer patented the first practical automotive universal joint and drive shaft.

Charles A. Dana lawyer, politician and businessman assumed the reins of the company in 1914 to give it needed financial guidance.

In 1946, the company was renamed Dana Corporation.

Through more than 80 years, Dana has developed a lineup of products and services worldwide. These include drive train systems, engine parts, chassis products, industrial power transmission products, fluid power systems, parts distribution and service and financial services.

Today, Dana's worldwide sales come from five key markets and total about $4 billion. The profits have remained strong, and the company has paid more than 195 dividends to the 40,000-plus Dana shareholders.

The company is the 105th largest industrial corporation in the U.S. and one of the 250 largest in the world. More than 38,000 people work in 700 facilities representing 27 different countries.

The Dana organization contains four operation groups North America, South America, Europe and Asia/Pacific. Each has its own president and operating committee.

Worldwide activities include: 400 facilities in North America, with 150 manufacturing centers and 95 warehouses; 22 manufacturing facilities and 15 warehouses in South America; 39 manufacturing facilities and 168 distribution locations in 10 European countries; and seven manufacturing and seven distribution facilities in seven countries in the Asia/Pacific area.

This year's event marks the sixth year for the industrial dinner. Concord Publishing House, Inc., was last year's industry of the year. Previous winners were Biokyowa in 1991, Procter and Gamble in 1990, Lone Star Industries in 1989, and General Sign Co. in 1988.

The award was presented following remarks by Carl E. Hurley. His talk reflected why he is often described as "America's Funniest Professor."

Hurley, a native of the Appalachian Mountains of Eastern Kentucky, is a former educator who left a professorship at Eastern Kentucky University to become a full-time speaker and entertainer. He took time between amusing anecdotes to deliver a serious message.

"You can have change without progress, but you can't have progress without change," he said. "Chambers of commerce help bring change, and industry helps bring change, all for the betterment of the community."

Prior to Hurley's remarks, Mehner, new president of the chamber, recognized Bob Hendrix, who announced his retirement during the summer and will remain with the chamber as a consultant until later this year.

"Hendrix is respected by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce," said Mehner. ""I just want to say thank you, Bob, for 21 years' service to this community."