Watson Anniversary – Harmindur Mann’s 10th Work Anniversary

Our Production Manager at our local Burnaby, BC factory, Harmindur Mann, celebrates his 10th year at Watson Gloves!

Tell us what you do at Watson!

I’m the Production Manager for our Burnaby factory, and I look after the team that manufactures Canadian-made leather gloves! My responsibilities include working with the product development team to bring new gloves to market, ensuring we have enough raw materials on hand, production planning, people planning, equipment maintenance repair, and basically everything involved in the production of our Canadian-made product.

In the factory, we have a lot of team members who know what they’re doing, and they’ve been doing it for decades, some have been part of the team for 35+ years!! It’s not that typical because they’re the actual experts, while my job is to communicate the goals and expectations of the business and then get out of their way!

So you’re learning from your team?

Oh yeah, you’re always learning here. Today we were short a few team members, so I helped with glove turning, and I was just nailin’ it! You know!? I looked over to our turner and said, “I’ve finally mastered your method,” and he just smiled. Great moment, and that happened just today!

What is your favorite part of the job?

The people. I feel a real connection and genuine loyalty to the Factory Team, and the rest of the Watson Team as well.

To me, it’s not like work. I come here, do the job, hang out with the team, and help to make the best product possible! It’s great to collaborate, and not just with the team; the factory has given me some unique opportunities to work with big brands like Herschel, Spittin’ Chicklets, and Hockey Canada. It’s an exciting time at Watson.

What’s your most memorable moment at Watson?

My most memorable moments are at the annual tailgate BBQs. I look forward to seeing everyone’s families, and of course the water fight we have every year! Yes, I’m in my 50s, but the kids are always looking to soak me at the water fight; they remember to go after Uncle Harm…

Pre-covid, we would fill up giant barrels with water (refilling stations), and Lisa, our Accounting Services Manager, would fill up water balloons, then a giant water fight would ensue! The water fight had been a tradition since well before I worked here. Kailen, my boss, and part of the Moore family, was a little kid in the water fight way back when. Generations of people’s kids, and now grandkids, have been coming to this event. I look forward to it every year.

How has COVID been in the factory?

When COVID started, our factory felt the strain, but we were able to rally and pivot quickly. We trained up the team and switched over to making cloth facemasks to answer the call from our communities. At one point, 90 to 95% of production was facemasks. We had thirty people on the floor, and only three were making gloves.

That was a really tough time for the factory, but we rallied as a team. First, we figured out a new product to support what people needed the most. Next, we enlisted the help of the factory and product team, and with their help, figured out how to manufacture our first mask. We got it done and supplied thousands across Canada! Looking back, I’m very proud of how our team reacted, especially the factory team.

You’re famous for your factory tours, tell me more!

I usually start with Gloves 101. I explain how gloves come together, not just the pieces, but how we choose the right type of leather, the pattern, and how all choices are based on application.

During the tour itself, I involve the team on the floor. I’ll introduce people by name to the tour attendees and tell a bit of their history. Basically, I tell the story of the factory through the factory team so it’s very engaging and interesting!

the Duke

What’s your favorite Watson Glove?

My favorite glove is hands down the Duke. Before my time, that pattern was made in Canada, but then it was produced overseas. A few years later we saw demand for a drivers style glove for the lifestyle and motorcycle market, so we brought the pattern back, named it the Duke and started to produce it in Canada! Since bringing the Duke back to our factory, it has been such a success. The Duke, and Duchess, have breathed new life into the factory.

What is the secret to having a long career at Watson Gloves?

I think it’s authenticity. You’ve gotta’ be who you are, and Watson gives you the autonomy to do it! It doesn’t feel like work if you’re true to yourself; it feels comfortable.

Congrats to Harm on the big milestone!

Find your next career at Watson Gloves

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