Victaulic, the manufacturer of mechanical pipe joining solutions, has made its home in the Easton community for more than 50 years. In 1967, Victaulic bought an iron casting supplier, Lehigh Inc., in West Easton, and in 1977, opened the Forks Township foundry.
This week, Victaulic Finishing Processor Mario Nesci of Palmer Township hangs up his safety glasses, coat, hard hat, and gloves as he retires as the company’s longest-tenured manufacturing employee of 48 years. In 1969, Mario Nesci crossed the Atlantic in hopes of achieving the American Dream.
Achieving the American dream
On Monday, December 27, 1969, 18-year-old Mario began his first day at Victaulic's West Easton foundry as a mold operator. Never having attended college, Mario said Victaulic was a great choice for him because he didn't need to go to school to learn how to work.
Mario began at Forks as a utility worker, then moved into the finishing role
"My computer was in my head," he says. After the West Easton foundry closed, Mario began at Forks as a utility worker, then moved into the finishing role, which he held for 34 years. "Mario still works just as hard today as when he was hired," says Mike Lipyanic, Forks Production Supervisor. “The knowledge and skills he's acquired over the years is information that needs to be passed on... I told him he's going to be missed."
Making a better life
Mario was born and raised in Calabria, Italy where much of his family still lives today. After going back to Calabria in 1974, he met his wife and brought her to America, in hopes of making a better life for them.
Together they raised three children while Mario worked at Victaulic. During retirement, Mario plans to spend time with family and travel, including trips back to his hometown in Italy. "Victaulic was good to me,” he says with a smile. “I got whatever I wanted. I bought a car, I bought a house, I sent my kids to college by myself without help."