Fargo Flooding Doesn't Stop FRS Industries
In business since 1885, Fargo, North Dakota-based FRS Industries Inc. is normally a manufacturer of items such as rubber stamps, award ribbons, buttons and banners, but over the course of the past week employees have worked hard to produce something else—sandbags.
With the Fargo area experiencing record flooding, companies like FRS Industries and others are going to extraordinary lengths to not only protect their businesses, but their town as well.
Dale Larson, FRS Industries Inc. owner, reported that the company is doing its best to protect itself and continue with operations. “We have sandbagged our building just as a contingency. The city has done an excellent job of building earthen dikes along the river to protect our area of town,” he said. In addition, Larson noted the company—a mere two blocks from one such dike—has removed production equipment to protect from possible flooding.
Having many employees working during the day and filling sandbags at night, Larson recognizes how important community spirit has been in this difficult time. “We've known we've got great people in this area. The Midwest people and the work ethic and the bonding between neighbors is very good,” he added.
Sadly, two of FRS Industries' employees have lost homes to water, but Larson is hopeful they will be able to work with city, state and governmental agencies to get help in recovering. Overall, Larson believes both the local and national reaction to the crisis has been solid with National Guard troops and equipment assisting in protecting the city.
With the Red River having crested and most sandbag levees holding, the Fargo area now braces for an expected eight to 14 inches of snow that bring new dangers of freezing and eroding defenses. But even so, Larson is confident in the people he shares a city with. “It's a very tight-knit community. When people call for help there is never a shortage of resources.”
In terms of business, Larson and FRS Industries are still pushing forward and not letting adversity shut them down. “If we're closed a day we are constantly checking messages and calling those people back because they need their orders and we have to try to fulfill them,” he said. When all is said and done, Larson is taking a business-sense approach that will ensure his employees continue to earn wages, and moreover, that the distributors he supplies can continue to do business in a tight economy. Said Larson, “We are going to get the orders out.”
For more information on FRS Industries, visit www.frsindustries.com.