The building on Macon Street that you may sometimes pass

Was once a mighty factory, the top one in its class

The founders knew where they fit in, operating in their niche

For over thirty years the profits rolled in without a single glitch

One hundred distributors supported a dealer base ten thousand strong

No one could foresee that anything could go wrong

They credited the founders’ leadership for the profits that they made

But, the founders knew it was the distributors who kept them in the game

A mutual admiration between friends dedicated to the cause

All for one and one for all devoted without pause

As time went by the founders began to retire

New management at the top and the company began to expire

Folks With Out Knowledge of Everything soon were filtered in

It was obvious from the start they didn’t know where or how to begin

Distributors were soon eliminated and then the dealers too

Selling direct from the factory seemed the proper thing to do

Advertising was brought in house and cut down by two thirds

Sales were down, inventory high and profits were for the birds

Parts were being made out of spec and quality was not good

Change the drawings to match the part; at least they thought they should

If anyone tried to help and solve the problems that they had

They became the enemy for making them look bad

With all hope gone the factory sold and many of the WOKE remained

With such good help at their disposal, the factory sold again

Soon after, a For-Sale sign appeared on the lawn and the factory closed for good

The niche the founders had created was never understood

It isn’t that these folks were bad or that they didn’t care

But, when you try to take over someone else’s niche, they may not want to share

She was once the largest employer in the town

And it was sad to see her taken down

There is moral if you care to seek

But then again if no one knows, it’s easier to repeat

So if you think that anyone can be in charge of anything

Take a drive down Macon Street

Frank Hancock has worked as a Farm Manager, Vocational Agriculture Teacher and Vice President at Snapper. He retired as a University of Georgia Agricultural Extension Agent in Henry County. He is a also a member of the Heritage Writers Group.