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Nokona Gives First Glove Produced After Devastating Fire to Joe Torre

Nocona Athletic Goods Company gave the first Nokona glove from their new factory to New York Yankees Manager Joe Torre.



After suffering the devastating loss of its Nocona, Texas-based factory to an electrical fire, the company banded together to start production in an interim facility just 30 days later. Torre received the first glove from the new, interim factory.



Nocona Athletic Goods selected Joe Torre because, he exemplifies leadership with his ability to create an organization built upon team spirit and teamwork, much like our employees did after the fire, said Buddy Lewis, managing director of Nocona Athletic Goods.



On July 18, the first employees reporting for work discovered a fire had started in the rear of the building. Initially thought to be containable, the fire spread to destroy the rest of the 79-year-old building. Luckily, some of the priceless memorabilia and pattern die cuts were saved.



After the fire, President and CEO Robby Storey, a fourth generation leader of Nocona Athletic Goods, did not hesitate as to the future of the company. It is important to note that our two most value assets were not singed by the fire -- our employees and the Nokona name, he said, The fire burned down a factory, not our company.



Other factories in Pennsylvania and abroad stepped up production to provide product while employees started looking for a new location and equipment. All employees continued receiving their full wages, as they remain a valuable asset to the company. Production on a specific portion of a glove requires a 50-week training program.



The company soon found a new, interim location in the old Nocona Boot Company factory, but still needed new equipment. We looked everywhere for equipment, in fact, the clicker came from eBay, said Storey.



The factory is almost at full production capabilities now and employees have been busy producing the most popular glove lines as well as the sought-after Baby'ss First Glove.



Lewis gave the glove to Torre before a game with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on September 13.



Nocona Leather Goods Company was founded in 1926, later becoming Nocona Athletic Goods Company. The Nokona baseball glove was trademarked in 1934 (spelled with a k when the U.S. Patent Office would not allow the name of an incorporated town to be registered). The company has continued the tradition of handmade, American-made baseball gloves to this day, with the addition of a few sewing and die-cutting machines. The Nokona glove is used by countless professional athletes around the world. For more information visit: www.nokona.com

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