March 2013
NJM Celebrates 100 Years

The Story of New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Company

What it Takes to Survive • Chapter 4 of 12

There was a knock at the front door of the McCutchen home. Rob, the patriarch and president of McCutchen Industries, answered it.

“Mr. McCutchen, sir?” The man standing at the threshold looked like the cap he was holding - weathered, beaten, and prematurely old.

“Marty? Come in,” said McCutchen, opening the door for his night foreman. Marty had been a valued employee of McCutchen Industries since its founding in 1913, and Rob had always had the utmost trust in him.

“Thanks, sir. I'm sorry to bother you at home …” he trailed off, noticing the McCutchens were just finishing dinner.

McCutchen reached for the man's cap and coat. “No, it's fine, Marty. What can I do for you? Have a seat.”

“No thank you, sir, I wasn't planning to stay long, I just ... well, the men, you see ...” he stammered slightly. A proud man, Marty had never taken anything he hadn't earned. “The men at the plant are … worried, and felt ... someone should talk with you, and I guess I drew the short straw.”

Of course McCutchen knew what Marty meant. The year had been terrible financially, the worst on record, and it seemed like everything they knew had been undermined. Last year was fine, but 1929 saw the stock market crash, and with it thousands of industries and lives.

“Look, Marty,” said McCutchen. “I understand. Tell the men - tell your family - that I’m doing everything I can to avoid layoffs: I haven't had to let anyone go yet, have I?”

“No, sir, you haven't, but... Marty trailed off.

“Then please trust me,” said McCutchen. “We have a solid operation, hard workers and a good product. We also have great business partners, like NJM. Their loss prevention representative was just in and explained that we're doing well with our safety record. NJM is paying dividends again on workers' compensation and commercial auto insurance even with the mess the world is in.”

He went on. “Choosing NJM for commercial insurance 16 years ago has helped us stay afloat. NJM is able to return dividends when we seem to need them most. And, like us, NJM is committed to worker safety. Our premiums stay low and productivity remains high because injuries occur less frequently. Those who are injured generally return quickly due to the care they get from NJM's clinics.”

McCutchen put his arm around Marty. “I trust NJM, and I trust us.” He pointed to his own family. “I'm not going to let them down. “He tapped Marty on the chest. “I'm not going to let you down. We'll talk with the men tomorrow.”

Marty left, still worried, but comforted in knowing in his heart that McCutchen was right about NJM and his own factory. They'd manage it one day at a time, but always with an eye on the future.

Next month: The World Continues to Struggle

Vincent Schweikert, Vice President & Publisher
973-882-5004. ext. 110
v.schweikert@njbmagazine.com

Anthony Birritteri, Editor-in-Chief
973-882-5004. ext. 104
a.birritteri@njbmagazine.com

George Saliba, Managing Editor
973-882-5004. ext. 106
g.saliba@njbmagazine.com

Lisa Criscuolo, Advertising Director
973-882-5004. ext. 108
l.criscuolo@njbmagazine.com

Gloria Owens, Account Executive
973-882-5004. ext. 109
g.owens@njbmagazine.com

Doug Prefach, Account Executive
973-882-5004. ext. 102
d.prefach@njbmagazine.com