Thursday, June 16, 2011

The Flood of 2008 in Cedar Rapids, the Economy: Sticky patches

On June 13, 2008, the worst flood in our community's history crested at 31.12 feet. This past weekend, the third anniversary of the Flood of 2008 past. LaVerne Tucker celebrated her birthday on June 12Th. She is not as active in Tucker Manufacturing Co., Inc. as she once was, but as my mother and wife of I.L. 'Tommy' Tucker, her contributions have been priceless.

Sticky patch or meltdown?

This week we look at the slowing of the world economy. Is it, we ask, going through a sticky patch, or is it headed for meltdown? We reckon that the reasons for the recent dip in activity—the knock-on effects of the Japanese tsunami, the high oil price, tightening monetary policy in emerging markets—suggest that it should be only transient. But—and this is a big but—there is a real danger that political brinkmanship in both America (over the deficit) and Europe (over the euro crisis) may turn a temporary hiccup into a big problem.

Here are some other pieces from this week's issue you might also be interested in. You can read them at The Economist online using the links below.


We have witnessed a variety of changes, since 2008.


  • Flood of 2008

  • Economic challenges for small and large businesses brought on by the financial crisis

  • Delays in lead times

  • Loss of life, whether it be customers or entities that we have know over the years

  • Increase in business from customers post economic downturn

  • Beginning of new relationships, due to a changing world

  • New opportunities for growth, building goodwill and better understanding

We are in the process of reviewing our pricing and we will be announcing new pricing this Summer. We have seen increases in costs, due to petroleum costs rises, which have impacted a variety of costs in our raw materials.


Tucker Pole

Monday, May 30, 2011

Happy Memorial Day - 2011

We cherish too, the Poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led,

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies.

inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields,"



Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day and is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. Here's a link to the history of Memorial Day in the USA. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have given service to our Country and have paid the highest price for that service.

We want to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day 2011.


Monday, May 9, 2011

We want to wish I.L. 'Tommy' Tucker a Happy Birthday on May 9, 2011

Our founder I.L. 'Irv' Tucker founded Tucker Manufacturing Co., Inc. in 1945. He would have been 110 years old this year. Since 1945, one person has been associated with our company from the beginning and that would be Irv's son, Tommy, pictured to the left.

Today, Monday, May 9Th is Tommy's birthday. His son, Robin, celebrated his birthday on the Sunday, the 8Th. Another son, not involved with Tucker Manufacturing Co., Inc. anymore was born on the 5Th. May birthdays have been a family tradition for some.

On behalf of everyone at Tucker Manufacturing Co., Inc., we want to wish Tommy a "Happy Birthday" as he is enjoying time with yet another family member, his daughter, Marcia. Marcia worked for Tucker back in college and moved to Arizona to enjoy a career in special education and working with special needs populations. She is married and has a daughter.


Sunday, May 8, 2011

May 8, 2011: Happy Mother's Day to you all



It's Sunday May 8Th and we want to wish everyone a Happy Mother's Day!



Have a great day!



Thursday, May 5, 2011

May 5, 2011


From all of us at Tucker Manufacturing Co., Inc. of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA
manufacturer of the original and dependable Tucker® Pole Window Washer System and Exterior Maintenance System!

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Happy May Day! We welcome the month of May!

We begin the Month of May. Four months are on the books and the birthday month for both myself and father commences.

We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable May. Safety is always an important aspect to follow.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Customers: Old or New ... it's fun when you run into them in an unexpected way!

Happy April 27, 2011 to everyone! We hope the weather in your area is pleasant and you are not in harm's way. However, we know that much of the U.S.A. has been a little unseasonal this April.

It has turned out to be a great day today. Four conversations that were outstanding this afternoon ...


  • Meet a early customer of my grandfather's,

  • Visited with a current customer, who passed on his personal experience with my father that was quite remarkable, as well,

  • Had a good visit with a potential new customer, and

  • Talked to one of our distributors, who recently made his largest order to date

It started out this afternoon at the bank. Waiting in line, I struck up a conversation with a retiree, who I had never had the pleasure of meeting. We were talking about the weather and how it was impacting the move of the Czeck Museum (part of our local flood recovery). He was a nice gentleman and he asked me for my name. So, I told him my name and it turns out he was an old customer of my grandfather.

Now, my grandfather would have been 110 years old this year. Irv passed away in 1975, so it is not every day I get an opportunity to talk to someone who knew my grandfather as well as this gentleman did.

The gentleman started out by describing the business my grandfather had been a part of prior to starting Tucker Manufacturing Co., Inc. in March of 1945. Flood recovery has been on the minds of our community in Cedar Rapids for a long time, since June 2008. Our original business location was at A Street and 22Nd Avenue SW, right in the Czech Village district of Cedar Rapids. The gentleman's business was right across where the museum is today. Had Tucker Manufacturing Co. been at that location in 2008, we would have been destroyed. Thankfully, we moved up to higher ground decades ago. However, many businesses and residents of Cedar Rapids weren't has fortunate.

The gentleman talked about the products that we first made at Tucker Manufacturing Co. like it was yesterday. He spoke about the As we stood outside in the parking lot having this conversation, I just thought to myself how small the world really is at times.

Later in the day, the other three conversations occurred. The gentlemen from California passed on the time the story, when he meet my father "Tommy" at his business. Another "small world" moment.

April has been a very interesting month. Often, the grind of the world today gets one down. It's nice to have a day, where one can reflect and rejoice in the fruit of one's labor. And, today I saw it through the eyes of one of my grandfather's customers, one of my father's, as well as one of my own. Further, it was nice to hear from a new prospect looking to purchase their first Tucker® Pole model.

We are preparing to make a price increase in 2011. One of my distributors today stated to obvious. It's time that we raise prices. So, we will be passing on a price increase soon. The gas prices are impacting raw materials prices heavily. Our last price increase was in 2008. Tucker Manufacturing Co., Inc. is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa USA. Our products are manufactured right here in the State of Iowa, since 1945. Since 1957, we have focused on the manufacturing of the first commerical waterfed pole system. Originally called the Tucker High-Level Window Washer, it is better known as a Tucker Pole today.

We want to say thank you to our long-term, new, old, future and existing customers. We appreciate your business. Thank you for sharing a part of our long and enjoyable history.

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