Significant ABU Friends

John Charvat:

1961 Zebco >>>>President Brunswick Corporation

I learned of John's leading light contribution to Brunzwick Corp and consequently Zebco , who were ABU's Cardinal spinning reel connection in the USA market,  through an accidental friendship with  his son Jack. 

My father, John Charvat, worked at Zebco from 1961 - 1989.  Serving as Advertising/PR manager 61-64, VP sales & mktg 65-76 and President 77-89.  

(and continuing later below ) more info at my request.

Ralph Lafferty, long time President of Zebco,   recalls....

Every year at this time I still receive a lot of Christmas wishes from our old Zebco gang.  It is, of course, getting thinner now, but the team spirit we always had is still there.  I haven't heard much from the Charvats since John (Sr.) died.  Actually, I never really knew his children who were just little tots when we were building Zebco.  John Sr. was a great person and friend, marketing oriented, and a good contributor to the growth of our company.  I'll try to put some things together in the coming year to see if I can add to your own archives on Zebco and the Zebco/ABU connection.  Meanwile, I send best wishes to you for a healthy and happy Christmas, and a New Year filled with the best of everything. 

Ralph

Wayne,

I will start to piece together this information.  There is so much to sift and sort.  want to focus on the high points.  Here is a short bio on his time-line and titles at Zebco and Brunswick Corp.  BC was the parent corporation owning Zebco throughout his tenure.

 1961 - John Charvat meets Ralph Lafferty at a polo match.  JC was covering the event while working as sports information director university of Tulsa.  Somehow JC and RL are introduced and RL notes JC's piece covering the polo event.  sometime later that year, RL offers JC a position at Zebco as advertising manager.

 1961 - 1965 advertising director

1965 - 1977 VP sales & marketing

1977 - 1989 President

1989 - 1995 President Brunswick corporation

 

Key events during Zebco tenure

1977 - becomes president during summer 1977.  by December 1977 Zebco production line workers organize a strike.

1977 - 940XL made in U.S. spinning reel series is launched august AFTMA show Kansas City, MO.  Zebco had placed a front page ad in the KC star newspaper august 16th issue.  Elvis Presley dies making that same front page headline.  this seemingly foreshadows 940XL series lifespan as it ultimately is discontinued by 1980 plagued by quality and supply issues.

During dad's first year as president, 1977, the assembly line workers staged a strike.  I believe the workers were attempting to unionize and try and force a series of management concessions.  My father had always had a great relationship with the people on the line and many many friendships.  As a child in the 70's i would go to his office the last day of work before Christmas break.  During that time he would put me with the ladies on the 202 and 33 lines, helping build reels.  I remember Christmas eve 1977 in Arkansas as we were with our family while dad stayed behind handling the strike.  He was on the local Tulsa newscast several evenings as the Zebco strike was big news at the time.  At any rate, Dad was able to end the strike and prevent the workers from unionizing.  There were never any strike episodes after.  He had great people skills and never held himself above anyone, he related more to the blue collar worker and never compromised his values and character to chase money and fame.  He came from nothing as was self made and never forgot that even when success and titles came later in life.  Until the day he died, dad attended every Zebco monthly lunch - former employees met for lunch once a month and still do to this day, although, sadly, most of the folks have passed away 

1981 - plans underway to develop a level wind baitcast product line.  debate is whether to use Zebco brand or launch baitcast series under new brand.

1995 JC retires at age 65 which is mandatory at Brunswick - august 1995

Factory Photographs

 

Dad collected some fine ABU items during his career

Abu Ambassadeur No 5000 AB Urfabriken Svangsta Sweden red reel, 4 screws and 4 lines on left cover small handle with ivory knobs  model number 481047  with leather box and all tools

Ambassadeur 5000C Abu Svangsta Sweden black reel, 4 screws and 3 parting lines on left cover  small handle with ivory knobs  model number  11667

Abu Ambassadeur 5500C blue platinum reel with all gold plated screws, pins, knobs, drag star, reel seat and cross bars  single crank handle, 3 screws and 2 parting lines on left cover  no model number   this looks to be a special makeup or gift for my father

Abu Sweden Ambassadeur 5500C black reel,  3 screws and 2 parting lines on left cover  model number 800404

Abu Sweden Ambassadeur 5500C silver reel, 3 screws and 2 parting lines on left cover  model number 771003

Ambassadeur 5000C Abu Svangsta Sweden, 3 screws and 3 parting lines on left cover  model number 141610  leather box with tools

Abu fisherman with outstretched arms and fishing rod paper weight.  1971 ABU 50 AR inscribed on lower front

Abu Toby 28g 1oz spoon lure

Abu coaster set with black leather box, blue velvet cushion, 6 individual coasters with various Abu products -Abu Cardinal 77, Abumatic 170, Abu Optic, Abu Ambassadeur 6000, Abu Delta 5, and Abu Toby. There is a card inside the box SKANDINAVISKA ETUIFABRIKEN  MALMO SWEDEN

My favourite is this presentation reel

that's it for now, more to come

 

If you are a person that has significantly had an effect on design/development/testing/collecting of ABU equipment over the years please contact me  wayne@realsreels.com  if you wish your contribution documented for posterity and the immediate interest of the ABU fans worldwide!