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The year 1908 began at midnight when a 700-pound “electric ball” fell from the flagpole atop the New York Times building—the first-ever ball-drop in Times Square; it ended a year later with a nearly two-and-a-half-hour flight by Wilbur Wright, the longest flight ever made in an airplane. In the months between, Henry Ford began producing his first Model T, homes were tidied with a remarkable new device called the vacuum cleaner, and the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. completed its 700-foot skyscraper in New York City … the tallest building in the world. Hope seemed to reign in all fields in 1908: Medical researchers predicted organ transplants; wireless experts envisioned pocket phones that would make people reachable anywhere; and, after snatching the National League pennant from the New York Giants and thumping the Detroit Tigers in the World Series, Chicago Cubs fans predicted the beginning of a baseball dynasty! This sense of optimism was shared by two businessmen from Pittsburg, KS, Emil Gradinger and R.W. Morris, who noticed that those Model T bodies were being constructed of unfinished steel—making them not only quite vulnerable to corrosion, but also perfect for the young entrepreneurs’ new automobile “protection polish.” Golden Star Polish Manufacturing Co. was soon launched. Automobile-protection polishes quickly led to cleaners and polishes for many hard surfaces, including wood, metal, ceramic, and glass. During the 1930s, after it was observed that furniture polish was being swabbed on hardwood floors as a sealer, Golden Star invented the “polish mop,” and a whole new world of textile manufacturing was introduced to the company. Soon, Golden Star was producing and marketing mops pre-treated with its own polish and private labeling mops for many national chemical brands. Cleverly refillable metal containers were used to store and re-treat the mops. In 1945, the company became a proud member of ISSA. Not surprisingly, Golden Star’s experience with mop and textile manufacturing led to the introduction of the first cotton “dust control” floor mats in the 1960s and to more durable, efficient, and attractive synthetic-yarn mats in the 1970s. While matting and chemicals are no longer part of Golden Star’s offering, its textile-manufacturing tradition has flourished worldwide. Today, the Kansas City, MO-based company provides floor care and hard surface cleaning solutions from 450,000 square feet of vertically integrated manufacturing facilities in the United States, Taiwan, and China. Every aspect of mop, pad, and cloth production is undertaken in each of four plants, including fiber selection; blending and spinning; product research, design, and testing; and ultimately, sewing, finishing, and inspecting. Customers are served from these facilities on six continents in multiple markets. Although much has changed in 100 years, much also remains unchanged. Golden Star’s founders, like so many other optimists in 1908, believed that anything was possible in an essential and growing industry, especially when you surrounded yourself with talented and dedicated associates and visionary and progressive customers. Most of all, they understood that ultimate fortune came from caring about their customers’ and the industry’s success as much as Golden Star’s. “That’s a formula we have absolutely no intention of meddling with,” says Gary Gradinger, Golden Star’s current chairman and CEO and grandson of co-founder Emil. “Indeed, it is and will always be a great pleasure building this business in the reflection of the character of our customers—creative, energetic, determined, enterprising, principled, and personable.”

This year Golden Star will be celebrating their Centennial year. Golden Star's strong values and beliefs in business have given them the tools to survive a 100 years in the industry. Hopefully those same guiding principles will propel them through the next 100 years.

Golden Star's story begins in Pittsburg, Kansas in 1908. Henry Ford's model T was making its way into the public mainstream. The bodies of those first vehicles were constructed of unfinished steel and were vulnerable to the elements and corrosion. Two business men, Emil Gradinger and R.W. Morris, saw opportunity before them. They gave the people a solution to the problem in the form of Golden Star's "protection polish". The company's product line soon expanded to cleaners and polishes for a variety of hard surfaces. In 1960 the textile portion of the company was expanded and the first cotton "dust control" mats were introduced. Followed by the more durable, efficient and attractive synthetic yarn mats in the 1970's. Golden Star now focuses their energy on mop and accessory production.

Golden Star strives to better serve their customers through their loyalty and ethics. They understand that a company is nothing without their customers. Success comes from caring about the industry and helping your customers achieve their goals. All of the loyalty that has been shown by Golden Star and their employees has brought them through good times and bad, to the successful place they are today. They have survived through one great depression, two world wars, several police actions, innumerable recessions, and an occasional bump in the road. They are thankful for every opportunity that has presented itself and know that it is truly a group effort. Without the customers and employees Golden Star wouldn't be where it is today. Longevity is a privilege that is achieved through embracing and creating change. Golden Star looks forward to the next hundred years with an open mind.

GOLDEN STAR INC. INTRODUCES A NEW AND IMPROVED MICROFIBER DUST MOP

Golden Star, the proven industry leader in dust control technology and innovation, has introduced a new and improved microfiber dust mop to the market. The Fusion™ dust mop features all the best qualities of microfiber yarn combined with other advantages offered by traditional dust mops. The Fusion™ dust mop features more than 50 times the amount of filament found in traditional mops, which help keep floors cleaner and enhances the overall performance of each dust mop. Engineered to aggressively collect dust, the Fusion™ filament fibers and looped ends allow for the pick-up of very small or micro particles that ordinary mops will leave behind. The Fusion™ dust mop is a step up from other microfiber mops because it is made with a looped end bottom and fringe yarn along with a sewn construction and increased durability for over 200 washings. In addition, the Fusion™ microfiber dust mop offers the benefits of chemical and processing savings, as well as advantages to our environment, because these mops do not require treatment and the drying time is up to 50% less than other standard cotton blend mops. Fusion™ filament fibers make linting a thing of the past and unlike other microfiber mops, the Fusion™ dust mops are made to fit traditional clip-on style dust mop frames and handles and do not require the purchase of a separate microfiber handle/frame unit. Golden Star Inc., with corporate headquarters located in Kansas City, MO and manufacturing facilities in Kansas, Taiwan and China has been a proven dust control leader since 1908.

GOLDEN STAR INC. ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC SALE OF MATTING DIVISION

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, March 28, 2006 -- Golden Star Inc. is pleased to announce the strategic sale of our matting division to Mountville Mills, the parent of The Andersen Company. The timing of this transaction coincides with the recent opening of our two mop production plants in Asia, enabling Golden Star to concentrate all efforts on our dust mops and wet mops. To insure a seamless transition, we will continue to accept and fill orders for matting until June 1st, at which time Mountville Mills/The Andersen Company will assume all mat related transactions. We are very excited about the benefits our expanded resources and exclusive focus will provide. Now, with 500,000 square feet of vertically integrated production facilities, our highly experienced Golden Star associates are eager to translate these assets into greater profitability and market share for you. This year marks Golden Star's 98th anniversary. We owe this success to our customers! We'd like to think we're just getting started.