Significant ABU
Friends
John Charvat:
1961 Zebco >>>>President Brunswick Corporation
I learned of John's leading light contribution to Brunzwick Corp and
consequently Zebco , who were ABU's Cardinal spinning reel connection in the USA
market, through an accidental friendship with his son Jack.
My father, John
Charvat, worked at Zebco from 1961 - 1989. Serving as Advertising/PR manager
61-64, VP sales & mktg 65-76 and President 77-89.
(and
continuing later below ) more info at my request.
Ralph Lafferty, long time President of Zebco, recalls....
Every year at this time I still receive a lot of Christmas wishes from our
old Zebco gang. It is, of course, getting thinner now, but
the team spirit we always had is still there. I haven't heard much from the
Charvats since John (Sr.) died. Actually, I never really knew his children who
were just little tots when we were building Zebco. John Sr. was a great person
and friend, marketing oriented, and a good contributor to the growth of our
company. I'll try to put some things together in the coming year to see if I
can add to your own archives on Zebco and the Zebco/ABU connection. Meanwile, I
send best wishes to you for a healthy and happy Christmas, and a New Year filled
with the best of everything.
Ralph
Wayne,
I will
start to piece together this information. There is so much to sift and sort.
want to focus on the high points. Here is a short bio on his time-line and
titles at Zebco and Brunswick Corp. BC was the parent corporation owning Zebco
throughout his tenure.
1961 - John Charvat meets Ralph
Lafferty at a polo match. JC was covering the event while working as sports
information director university of Tulsa. Somehow JC and RL are introduced and
RL notes JC's piece covering the polo event. sometime later that year, RL
offers JC a position at Zebco as advertising manager.
1961 - 1965 advertising director
1965 - 1977 VP
sales & marketing
1977 - 1989
President
1989 - 1995
President Brunswick corporation
Key events during
Zebco tenure
1977 - becomes
president during summer 1977. by December 1977 Zebco production line workers
organize a strike.
1977 -
940XL made in U.S. spinning reel series is launched august AFTMA show Kansas
City, MO. Zebco had placed a front page ad in the KC star newspaper august 16th
issue. Elvis Presley dies making that same front page headline. this seemingly
foreshadows 940XL series lifespan as it ultimately is discontinued by 1980
plagued by quality and supply issues.
During dad's first year as
president, 1977, the assembly line workers staged a strike. I believe the
workers were attempting to unionize and try and force a series of management
concessions. My father had always had a great relationship with the people on
the line and many many friendships. As a child in the 70's i would go to his
office the last day of work before Christmas break. During that time he would
put me with the ladies on the 202 and 33 lines, helping build reels. I remember
Christmas eve 1977 in Arkansas as we were with our family while dad stayed
behind handling the strike. He was on the local Tulsa newscast several evenings
as the Zebco strike was big news at the time. At any rate, Dad was able to end
the strike and prevent the workers from unionizing. There were never any strike
episodes after. He had great people skills and never held himself above anyone,
he related more to the blue collar worker and never compromised his values and
character to chase money and fame. He came from nothing as was self made and
never forgot that even when success and titles came later in life. Until the
day he died, dad attended every Zebco monthly lunch - former employees met for
lunch once a month and still do to this day, although, sadly, most of the folks
have passed away
1981 - plans
underway to develop a level wind baitcast product line. debate is whether to
use Zebco brand or launch baitcast series under new brand.
1995 JC
retires at age 65 which is mandatory at Brunswick - august 1995
Factory Photographs
Dad collected some fine ABU items during his career
Abu Ambassadeur
No 5000 AB Urfabriken Svangsta Sweden red reel, 4 screws and 4 lines on left
cover small handle with ivory knobs model number 481047 with leather box and
all tools
Ambassadeur 5000C Abu Svangsta Sweden black reel, 4 screws and 3 parting lines
on left cover small handle with ivory knobs model number 11667
Abu Ambassadeur 5500C blue platinum reel with all gold plated screws, pins,
knobs, drag star, reel seat and cross bars single crank handle, 3 screws and 2
parting lines on left cover no model number this looks to be a special makeup
or gift for my father
Abu Sweden Ambassadeur 5500C black reel, 3 screws and 2 parting lines on left
cover model number 800404
Abu Sweden Ambassadeur 5500C silver reel, 3 screws and 2 parting lines on left
cover model number 771003
Ambassadeur 5000C Abu Svangsta Sweden, 3 screws and 3 parting lines on left
cover model number 141610 leather box with tools
Abu fisherman with outstretched arms and fishing rod paper weight. 1971 ABU 50
AR inscribed on lower front
Abu Toby 28g 1oz spoon lure
Abu coaster set with black leather box, blue velvet cushion, 6 individual
coasters with various Abu products -Abu Cardinal 77, Abumatic 170, Abu Optic,
Abu Ambassadeur 6000, Abu Delta 5, and Abu Toby. There is a card inside the box
SKANDINAVISKA ETUIFABRIKEN MALMO SWEDEN
My favourite is this presentation reel
that's it for now, more to
come
If
you are a person that has significantly had an effect on
design/development/testing/collecting of ABU equipment over the years please contact me
wayne@realsreels.com
if you wish your contribution documented for posterity and the immediate
interest of the ABU fans worldwide!