Rochester, NY-- Hickey-Freeman employs workers from 27 different nations. Though they may speak a different language, they also share a common work ethic and sense of pride in their work.
For Heidi Truong, who came to the United States from Puerto Rico, it's about making fine quality suits.
For Aladino Rodriguez, it's taking pride in the fact that all of the clothes he makes are made right here in Rochester.
Doug Williams is the CEO of the HMX Group, which owns Hickey-Freeman. He praised workers telling us: "It's in their hearts. They bring a passion to what they do everyday."
Whether their job is to press, sew, stitch, or fold, you won't hear these workers complain. As Aladino told us: "I love my job. I love what I do."
On warm summer days it can get pretty hot inside the third floor factory where many of the suits are made. But workers tell us, they feel lucky to have jobs.
We got a rare look inside one of Rochester's oldest companies as workers made suits, pants and jackets from start to finish.
It takes you back to the way things were done years ago. That is how Hickey-Freeman has been doing it for more than a hundred years and it is still paying off.
Hickey-Freeman suits are worn by everyone from businessmen to movie stars and pro athletes. But it doesn't matter to these workers whether the suit is for someone famous, or someone next door. They will make sure every garment is high quality. That's what makes these workers proud.
Hickey-Freeman makes 150,000 garments a year.
