A Family at HuFriedyGroup

Building Careers, Strengthening Bonds: A Legacy at HuFriedyGroup

Many who work at HuFriedyGroup describe the business as "like a family." For a group of Associates from the Araque and Razniak families, this takes on a whole new level of meaning. A story that started both in Poland and Colombia unfolded in the Chicago, Illinois area over the last 40 plus years as these families built careers with HuFriedyGroup and ultimately came together as one family.

Halina's Story

Halina Razniak had recently migrated from Poland in 1974 when she was encouraged by her neighbor, a HuFriedyGroup Associate named Barbara, who was also originally from Poland, to apply for a job.

Flash-forward 40 years later: Halina is now a Prototype/Repairer Technician and the most tenured Associate at HuFriedyGroup. What's more, Halina became a great source of referrals, as the company later hired:

• Her sister
• Her brother-in-law
• A sister-in-law

The Araque Brothers' Story

In 1978, another long-time Associate—and source of referrals—would be hired. Luis Araque (now a Lead Technician) had a great work ethic, which was quickly noticed by management. Within weeks, he referred:

• His brother Orlando
• Another brother, Leonardo (now a Technician Finisher)

Within just a couple of years, there were already five brothers employed at HuFriedyGroup—and that was just part of the large Araque family.

Luis and his 13 siblings were born in Medellin, Colombia, to loving yet firm parents. Living in an area notorious for drug cartels, parents Inez and Antonio were determined to keep their kids out of trouble. They held early curfews and always taught their children to get along with one another.

As the kids became young adults, they were strongly encouraged to get jobs in the U.S. The youngest siblings, Guillermo and Javier, were the last to migrate—and ultimately worked at HuFriedyGroup, too.

Now having worked at HuFriedyGroup for 35 years, Javier, a Manufacturing Supervisor, credits his father with instilling their strong work ethic. "My dad worked in a company for almost 40 years, and he was also a supervisor at some point. He was very, very responsible all his life at his job and I think that's where we get it from."

When 'Work Family' Becomes Family

Halina and Luis met at HuFriedyGroup and their friendship evolved. They were married in 1985, thereby adding each other's families as "in-laws."

Luis reminisces, "We liked each other. We used to have small talk like, 'Hi, how are you doing?' I started teaching her how to sharpen urbans (knives)—and she'd teach me Polish," he notes. "She was a fast learner and very good at it. She's one of the best employees at HuFriedy."

Today, Halina and Luis have more than 90 years of HuFriedyGroup service collectively. They speak proudly of their company—and each other – and they still work well together as they lead sharpening clinics at schools where HuFriedyGroup sells dental instruments.

The Brothers' Routine

As for the brothers, they still eat lunch together every day and find each other for coffee breaks. "Every day for more than 40 years," Leonardo acknowledged of their treasured routine.

With so many years of service for the Araque brothers, retirement will come soon for some—and that daily extra family time at HuFriedyGroup will fade.

"I think about that and I get really sad about it," Luis said. "We're going to miss each other a lot … I've never seen families (get along) like ours. Our family is an exception—how we love so much."

The Impact of Happiness

As each family member speaks fondly of their work time together, they also know it's good for HuFriedyGroup, as well.

"If you're happy at work and happy in your home, together, you're a perfect employee—the business is depending on happy people," said Halina. As Dick Saslow would say, 'Unhappy people make one instrument. Happy people make two.'"