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Soulé News
VOLUME 1 NUMBER 2 MAY 1963
Soulé Is Completing Largest Curtain Wall Job
The largest curtain wall job in the history of Soulé Steel serves as another good example of how imagination spells success.
Soulé Architectural Products Division won the bid for fabrication and erection of 100,000 square feet of curtain wall for an ultra-modern 22-story office building in Hollywood. Furthermore, the Reinforcing Steel Division was awarded the rebar contract.
The new beauty, being built at Sunset and Vine for the Los Angeles Federal Savings and Loan Association, is aluminum curtain wall and glass of blending shades, from top to bottom—even the windows are shaded gray.
The total effect of the structure will be one of unusual simplicity. Also unusual are the curtain wall erection problems and that is where imagination comes in.
Scaffolding Problem
Ordinarily, curtain wall can be secured properly with screws at each end of the panels. However, the large size and shape of the columns which extend from each corner of the building require that the column cover pieces be secured in the middle as well as at the ends. This means that three men are needed—one at the top of the sheet, one to hold at the bottom and a third for the center. The problem? How to place three men at different levels on a two-tiered scaffold.
Walt Oertel, Architectural Products project manager, said a search went out for three-tiered scaffolding that could be purchased or rented. None was available so Soulé Steel went briefly into the scaffolding business.
Three-tiered Special
Walt and Jim Guilmet, the project field superintendent, gave a design to Jack Dressen, Los Angeles plant superintendent. It wasn't long before the Soulé erection crew had three-tiered scaffolding, 19 feet high, 13 feet wide with its 800 pounds driven by electric motors.
The job will be completed in July and though not many of the thousands who pass by each day will know it, the sleek structure will represent another job where Soulé ideas made the difference.
One more point—the next time Soulé needs three-tiered scaffolding, there won't be too many problems finding it.
*Photo: Three-tiered scaffolding was not available for the unusual curtain wall job on the new Los Angeles Federal Savings and Loan Association in Hollywood. So Soulé people designed their own. Driven by electric motors, the scaffolding is shown here in operation.*
*Photo: GOING UP IN HOLLYWOOD . . . This sleek beauty at Sunset and Vine in Los Angeles, will include 100,000 square feet of Soulé curtain wall, erected efficiently through imagination.*
Think Things Over Before You Decide
If someone asked Soulé Steel Company to paint 20 fence posts, the answer would have to be something like, "we're sorry but the order is a little small and besides we're not in the fence post painting business."
But when the "someone" is Uncle Sam and the order is for the cleaning, painting and bundling of *one million* six and eight foot metal fence posts, it requires a pause for thought.
After considering the ins and outs of such a possibility, the Los Angeles plant bid on the job. A lot of people looked the project over: Bill Tedford, vice president, Los Angeles; Jack Dressen, plant superintendent; John Stockwell, purchasing supervisor; Bill Dillenbeck, plant engineer; Harry Sutton, yard supervisor; Cliff Mayo, shipping supervisor.
The conclusion was that the company could do the job efficiently and it would mean from two to three months work for 20 employees.
Bid placed, order received.
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From the President
The basic objectives of the Soulé Steel Company have been and are (1) to have the company grow as fast as it possibly can on a sound and profitable basis and (2) to constantly improve present product lines and develop profitable new products so as to improve our share of the expanding Western Market.
Over the years, in pursuing these objectives, the Soulé Steel Company has grown tremendously—from the original staff of two in 1911 to today's 1500 employees. This growth has meant prosperity and sound development to the Company and more jobs and security for our employees.
From my point of view, however, our growth has one unhappy side-effect. The President no longer is able to know all his employees personally, to see them regularly and to learn about and follow the activities of their families. I wish this were possible, for the real secret to our success has been and always will be our employees.
Since I am unable to see each of you personally, I hope to stay in touch with you through this newsletter. I shall try to keep you informed of the Company's plans and problems, and of factors concerning our industry which are important to all of us.
I believe it is extremely important that you understand the basic principles of our Company, what we believe and why the Company acts as it does. I sincerely feel that you want to know and deserve to know these things.
The Soulé Steel Company always has strived to provide its customers with quality products and quality service, at competitive prices and with a reasonable profit. That we have been successful in doing so is due largely to the fact that we have had "quality employees." We intend to continue this tradition of quality. I assure you that I shall do everything in my power to achieve this goal. I know we can count on you to do your share also.
*Edward Lee Soulé Jr.* President
Photo: SOULÉ MILESTONE . . . The famous Los Angeles Coliseum during the 1932 Olympics—built with the help of Soulé reinforcing steel.
Association Elects Archer Vice President
Photo: Kenneth W. Archer
Kenneth W. Archer, Architectural Products Division general manager, was installed last month as a vice president of the National Association of Architectural Metal Manufacturers.
He was named chairman of the NAAMM Western Region, formerly the Western Architectural Metal Manufacturers, of which Mr. Archer was president.
The new association makes NAAMM truly national in scope. The organization is composed of leading manufacturers of architectural metal products. Its major purpose is to improve the quality and usefulness of products for the benefit of the architect, contractor and ultimate user.
D. H. Cunningham And D. D. Watson Join Steel Structures
The expanded dealer program for the Steel Structures Division is growing again with the addition of two veterans of the pre-engineered steel building business.
Donald H. Cunningham and Donald D. Watson will organize, train and supervise dealer programs, it was announced by Charles B. Alvord, general manager, Steel Structures.
Both men come to Soulé from Stran-Steel Corp. Mr. Alvord said the new appointments mean more strength for an already stepped-up program. Mr. Cunningham will work out of the Los Angeles office and Mr. Watson will be headquartered at San Francisco.
Photo: The special scaffolding allowed these Soulé employees to secure large panels efficiently and safely. (see Pg. 1)
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Bill Knafla Retires After 27 Years at San Francisco Plant
In 1936, Bill Knafla joined Soulé Steel Company as a guard at the San Francisco plant. Bill became a familiar figure to hundreds of people over the next 27 years.
For a number of years, the gun on Bill's hip told visitors that Soulé Steel Company was engaged in war material production which required security measures.
When the war ended the gun went, but Bill stayed. Last month old friends said good-bye to Bill at a retirement luncheon in his honor.
Bill and his wife have moved to Brashear, Missouri to enjoy some leisure years.
*Photo: Bill Knafla, just prior to the end of 27 years service with Soulé Steel.*
*Photo: Bill Knafla during World War II*
Howard S. Soulé Is Corporate Secretary
Howard S. Soulé has been elected corporation secretary, replacing Niles O. Millar who retired in March after 43 years of service to the company.
Mr. Soulé, formerly assistant secretary, has been a member of the board of directors for four years and a Soulé employee for 12 years.
The Pomona College graduate will direct his activities from the San Francisco headquarters.
*Photo: Howard S. Soulé*
A Job to Remember
Soulé reinforcing steel is used in so many applications that this publication and five more like it could be filled just to list them.
Many of the jobs are routine—but not all of them. From a field erection crew in the Portland Reinforcing Steel Division comes this statement for those readers who are down in the dumps because of recent rainy weather: "Happiness is a relative thing."
The name of the job that evokes such a philosophical phrase is "Fish Test Facilities," a project of the U. S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. Soulé Steel is responsible for the installation of 210 tons of reinforcing steel.
Project Background
*Location:* The bottom of a 2,000 foot canyon in the extreme northeast corner of Oregon on the Grand Ronde River. *Name of area:* Troy, Oregon. *Population:* 7. *Distance from nearest human beings:* 70 miles. *Lodging:* Choice of vacant house, courtesy of contractor, with rollaway beds (if you supply them) or sleeping bags (if you etc.) OR rustic cabin, share with any other breathing creature who has the $3.00 per night tab. American Plan—two hotcakes, 75 cents. *Entertainment:* variety, including sleep and wake up. *Transportation of steel:* north through Oregon, into Washington, back into Oregon, then to Troy. Only other road—a bit crooked, war surplus tanks recommended. *Job completion date:* mid-May. *Crew comment:* whee!!
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Customer Is Pleased
Soulé Steel Company recently sold a small but important job to a demanding customer—the Soulé Steel Company.
A craneway extension was fabricated at Los Angeles and shipped to the Soulé Phoenix Plant where Bob Lee, field superintendent, and Bob Reed, foreman, did the erecting.
The extension allows the shop to continue bending and shearing operations while trucks are being loaded with rebar. Formerly, it was necessary to shut down the bender during loading and unloading due to cramped quarters.
Soulé Steel Company reports that the customer is pleased with the product.
*Photo: SOULÉ MILESTONE . . . The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge looked like this in the early '40's. Soulé supplied the rebar for the east and west approaches of the bridge. Notice the piers — Soulé helped build them too.*
Promotion for Pickner
Jack A. Pickner has been named Los Angeles detailing supervisor for the Architectural Products Division.
A ten-year Soulé employee with experience in detailing, checking and estimating, he will supervise all detailing activities of the division in the Los Angeles area.
SAD SAM
It is becoming increasingly obvious that employees of the Soulé Steel Company have little regard for my efforts. Not only do you refuse to provide me with my monthly quota of accidents, you flaunt your distaste for my profession with safety record awards. If you are going to continue trying to beat me at my own game, at least carry out your vengeance quietly.
What I mean is this. Last month the Los Angeles plant was awarded a plaque by the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the National Safety Council for the second most outstanding safety record in its classification.
Now that's rubbing salt in the wound, which strikes me as an encroachment on *my* business.
Let me warn you now—I *never* give up. Get careless for one moment and, bam, I'm there.
Here are the league standings. Go ahead and gloat.
*Photo: NO RESPECT . . . Frank Kleman, left, Los Angeles Plant safety manager, and Jack Dressen, right, the plant superintendent, show what they think of the accident efforts of Sad Sam. The Los Angeles Plant's safety award is being presented by G. Sopp, vice president of industrial safety, National Safety Council.*
MARCH, 1963
Plant League
| | Batting Average | |---|---| | Los Angeles . . . . . | 1.000 | | Rebar . . . . . . . . | 1.000 | | Portland . . . . . . . | 1.000 | | Phoenix . . . . . . . | 1.000 | | Seattle . . . . . . . . | 1.000 | | San Francisco . . . . | .995 |
Field League
| | Batting Average | |---|---| | Portland . . . . . . . | 1.000 | | Seattle . . . . . . . . | 1.000 | | Phoenix . . . . . . . | 1.000 | | Mill . . . . . . . . . . | .992 | | So. California . . . . | .985 | | No. California . . . . | .962 |
SEASON STANDINGS
#### Plant League
| | Average | |---|---| | Los Angeles . . . . . | 1.000 | | Rebar . . . . . . . . | 1.000 | | Phoenix . . . . . . . | 1.000 | | Seattle . . . . . . . . | 1.000 | | San Francisco . . . . | .993 | | Portland . . . . . . . | .988 |
#### Field League
| | Average | |---|---| | Phoenix . . . . . . . | 1.000 | | Mill . . . . . . . . . . | .992 | | So. California . . . . | .991 | | Portland . . . . . . . | .987 | | Seattle . . . . . . . . | .982 | | No. California . . . . | .981 |
Soulé News
Published monthly by and for the employees of Soulé Steel Co. Editor—Douglas Gordon Associate Editors
Los Angeles—Frank Kleman Mill—Dianne Sheridan Phoenix—Furman Davis
Portland—Dolores Bedgood San Diego—Esther Longnecker Seattle—Dee Henderson