HANSEN, Arthur H.

HANSEN, Arthur H. (New York, NY- ). Hansen was credited with increasing the profitability of the A.Y.MCDONALD MANUFACTURING COMPANY manufacturing division, modernizing the Dubuque factory, and leading the effort to construct a new plant. Hansen came to Dubuque from San Diego where he had been president of Home Research and Development Corporation. Prior to that he had been vice president of Cherry-Burrell in Cedar Rapids. (1)

Hansen joined the McDonald in 1975 as general manager of the manufacturing division. In 1976 he was named vice president-manufacturing. (2) Between 1975 and 1978, he introduced new products that resulted in sales doubling and a multi-million dollar plant modernization. He designed a $2 million modernization of the factory at 12th and Pine STREETS that renovated the brass foundry with new furnaces and pollution control equipment, installed new machine tools in the machine ship, and purchased modern equipment for the assembly area. The company's marketing organization was increased with ew sales people and improved customer service. New products were also brought on line including a new line of submersible pump in 1977, a new line of jet pumps in 1978, and a meter setter which was expected to generate more than $1 million in new revenues. Manufacturing sales, accounting for an estimated 20% of the company's sales in 1978, were expected to more than double what they were in 1975 before the modernization program began. (2)

In March 1978, Hansen assumed the company presidency and arranged financing that resulted in the operations moving to a new $10 million building at the Dubuque Industrial Center. This was due to the proposed construction of the proposed Dubuque freeway 561. Hansen spoke in favor of the project although it would be costly to the company. He explained that the needs of the community had to come first. (3) He also reorganized the company as A. Y. McDonald Industries. (4)

Hansen's civic involvements included chairing the 1980-1981 United Way Campaign, holding positions on the board of United Way, and service on the Dubuque Economic Steering Committee.

---

Source:

1. Knee, Bill, " New President, New Look at A. Y. McDonald," Telegraph Herald, April 16, 1978, p. 22

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid.

4. "Legal Notices," Telegraph Herald, April 20, 1984, p. 9