- Annin Flagmakers of Coshocton makes U.S. Flags from 4 inches by 6 inches to 4 feet by 6 feet.
- It also makes flags for golf courses, specialty flags and state flags. Larger flags are for poles, smaller ones come on a stick.
- The plant has persevered during the pandemic, despite a decrease in employees and being closed for seven weeks.
- The factory currently has 115 full-time employees and 50 seasonal employees, but are still hiring.
COSHOCTON - Despite issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and a void in the workforce, Annin Flagmakers continues to be the largest maker of U.S. flags.
They take pride in what they do, which is easy when you craft the nation's most recognizable symbol for a historic firm. Flags crafted by Annin have flown everywhere, from the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln, Iwo Jima during World War II, the north and south poles and the moon.
Their busiest time is November to June as stores stock up on flags for holidays such as Memorial Day, Flag Day and the Fourth of July. However, production has yet to slow down and they are running full tilt to meet orders, said Bobbi Parks, director of operations in Coshocton. The reason for that, she said, may be in part due to the presidential election last year and more people flying flags while home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Everything we make goes out the door, which is a good problem to have, but typically this is our time to build up stock," Parks said. "Our employees have not had a break. They've been on overtime, working nine hour days and Saturday."
Annin's history
The Coshocton plant at 700 S. Third St., started out on 15th Street. The workshop opened in 1970 and Annin bought it from Colonial Flag in 1975. Annin was founded in 1847 by Alexander Annin. The company is headquartered in Roseland, New Jersey, and has other factories in Cobb Creek and South Boston, Virginia.
The local factory is 150,000-square-feet. A separate warehouse leased on Otsego Avenue is 18,000-square-feet. It makes primarily U.S. flags, but also produces special flags, state flags and flags for golf courses.
The cotton and nylon flags range from 4 inches by 6 inches to 4 feet by 6 feet. The smaller flags are called stick flags, which are pre-made and attached to a stick. The largersewn flags are made for flag poles.
Parks said they make about 35,000 of the sewn flags each week. Two fully automatic TEXPA machines produce about 3,200 flags each a week. A new one was added at the end of April. The TEXPA machines sew all the polycotton flags, which arrive on a roll from the South Boston plant. Workers add grommets after the flags come off the machine.
Annin sells and ships directly to distribution centers for major retailers such as Walmart, Amazon, Kroger, True Value Hardware and Meijer.
Working through recent issues
Parks said they were closed about seven weeks during the pandemic. Many older employees decided to retire and replacing them has been difficult.
The plant currently has 115 full-time employees and 50 seasonal workers. Seasonal employees have been kept on as production demands remain high. Parks said they usually hire about 100 seasonal workers, but they just weren't available.
Starting wage recently went from $9.05 to $11 an hour to entice new hires. Annin, like a lot of other local employers, is have a tough time filling positions. Ohio Means Jobs and others crediting this to increased unemployment benefits stemming from the pandemic, which ended in June.
"A lot of our folks decided to retire versus coming back. We did lose some of our sewers that have been here for years," Parks said. "It's been a challenging year as every company has had. You can't find people, we're struggling. That's been an impact on us trying to keep up."
Still, morale remains high and Annin is committed to the local community. Parks said they donate to Relay for Life, United Way of Coshocton County and other charities.
"Our employees are very giving. If somebody is in need, they're there to support them," she said.
Parks is amazed by how many people don't know about the local plant. When she tells them, they're usually fascinated and proud that Coshocton can boast of making U.S. flags.
"Just being part of Annin and making the American flag is huge, that's an icon of our country. This is the American flag," she said.
Park wouldn't want to work anywhere else, and said most of the employees feel the same way.
For more information on the company, visit to annin.com
@llhayhurst
740-295-3417
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