Los Angeles
County
Biographies
CARL J. NARDON
The
story of Carl J. Nardon, President of Nardon Manufacturing Co., Inc., 2125 West
Mission Road, Alhambra, is one of phenomenal success, not only once, but
twice. It is the story of a man who
succeeded after preparing himself for the career he intended to follow. In 1922 he had enough experience, so that
when the opportunity presented itself to open his own shop, he was ready for it. After that it was hard work and persistence.
Mr.
Carl J. Nardon was born September 20, 1896, in Dolgeville, New York, which was
named after Alfred Dolge, who owned a felt factory
there. He came to California and founded
the town of Dolgeville, which later became West Alhambra. Mr. Dolge was owner
and founder of the Standard Felt Company, which is still located in West
Alhambra. When Carl J. Nardon was a
young boy his father died. He still
remembers that his father and grandfather worked at the same company while he
attended school. His mother, Sally
(Navarro) Nardon, re-married, and his stepfather, Gregory Cioffi,
raised him as his own son. Carl J.
Nardon attended Marengo Grammar School, and graduated from Alhambra High School
in 1912. From 1912 – 1916 he served his
apprenticeship, starting at $4.00 per week.
In 1914 he took a course in mechanical drawing from the International
Correspondence School. From 1916 on he
worked in several small shops to gain experience. He went to work at Mare Island Navy Yard in
1918 and joined the United States Army in September, 1918, received his basic
training at Camp Kearney in San Diego, and served in the Ordinance Corps for 8
months. In May, 1919, he was discharged
as a Sergeant. After returning to
civilian life, he worked in a tool and die shop until 1922. He had prepared himself well for the big step
he was going to take. Mr. Carl J. Nardon
and Mr. Paulson opened a tool and die and stamping business which were handled
on a job work basis. Mr. Paulson had
five thousand dollars to invest in the new venture, but Mr. Nardon had to raise
the money for his own share in the business by mortgaging his father’s home as
well as his own. The new shop was
opened at Market and Los Angeles Streets in Los Angeles in 750 square feet of
working space and with 5 employees. In
1924, 13 people were employed, and the company received contracts to build the
first vending machines. Now more space
and more employees were needed. Later in
1924, the business was moved to 9th and Olympic Streets, in Los
Angeles, with 10,000 square feet of working space and a work force of 40
people. Still the business was growing,
and still more space was necessary. In
1941 Mr. Nardon and Mr. Paulson built a new plant in Vernon at a cost of
$250,000, and were now employing 350 people.
The peak of production was reached during World War II. Classed as an essential war industry, the
plant was operated in 3 shifts on a 24 hour basis, with a work force of 1200
people, doing vital defense work. The
Company received Army and Navy awards for war work. In 1945 Mr. Paulsen and Mr. Nardon sold the
business. Mr. Paulsen retired. His own retirement lasted about 3 months. In 1945 Mr. Carl J. Nardon built a new and
modern plant which is located at 2215 West Mission Road in Alhambra with a
working area of 20,000 square feet. He
has 130 employees. Over 80% of the
business is in defense contracts for the United States Government. Mr. Nardon is founder, and president and his
son Myron, vice president, are the owners of Nardon Manufacturing Co., Inc.
He
also designs and manufactures office equipment, which is sold all over the
United States. He has patents on several
inventions.
Mr.
Nardon married Miss Rose Rizzo on September 16, 1922, in the San Gabriel
Mission, They have two children. Myron
Eugene Nardon is 37 years old, and is Vice President and General Manager of
Nardon Manufacturing Co., Inc. He is a
graduate of John Marshall High School in Los Angeles. Daughter Marilyn (Mrs. Louis) Knoop is a graduate of Immaculate Heart College in Los
Angeles. Son-in-law, Louis Knoop is Secretary-Treasurer of Nardon Manufacturing Co.,
Inc. They reside in Flintridge,
California.
Mr.
Carl J. Nardon joined the Alhambra Elks Lodge, BPOE No. 1328 in 1919, and has
been a member since that time, but has transferred his membership to Los
Angeles. He has been a member of the San
Gabriel Country Club for 22 years. He
enjoys the golf course, golf being one of his favorite pastimes. Another of his interests is traveling here,
there and worldwide.
Although
his successful life and prosperous business have been built on a lot of hard
work and long hours, Mr. Nardon feels that much of the success of his business
is due to good, dependable, hard working employees. He therefore initiated employee participation
in ownership in his company and a profit sharing plan.
Transcribed by
V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
Historical Volume & Reference Works Including Alhambra, Monterey Park,
Rosemead, San Gabriel & Temple City, by Robert P. Studer,
Pages 751-754, Historical Publ., Los Angeles, California. 1962.
© 2013 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
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NUGGET'S LOS ANGELES BIOGRAPHIES