Montalbano founder, 94, 'never worked a day'
By Fran Marshall -- Furniture Today, April 12, 2005
Bellwood, Ill. — Thomas Montalbano Sr. says he's never worked a day in his life. But at age 94, he's never failed to show up for work at Montalbano Majestic International here, the furniture manufacturer he founded in 1929.
"He says he's never worked a day in his life because he loves what he does; it isn't work to him," said his son, Richard Montalbano.
The elder Montalbano, chairman of the company, still operates a spindle carving machine daily in the plant, which "would be a hard job for a 24 year old, much less a 94 year old," said Richard.
Montalbano Sr. has worked in the furniture industry since he was 12 years old. According to his son, he's also credited with helping develop the carving machine that is used today.
He started working on equipment that carved eight pieces at a time, and told the machine maker they could be made to cut up to 36 pieces, but no more. "They wanted one that would be up to 40 cutters, but dad told them it wouldn't work; no man could handle that much machine," Richard said. The manufacturer went ahead and made the 40 cutter anyway and, according to the younger Montalbano, none of them sold.
A strong business sense has carried the senior Montalbano a long way. During World War II, a company in Minnesota that manufactured carving tables had a shortage of tables and did not make its delivery to Montalbano. Fifty years later, Montalbano contacted the still-in-operation company and told them he expected delivery of his long-ago-ordered tables. Fortunately, the vendor kept records as accurately as Montalbano, and delivered the tables promptly, albeit 50 years late.
Today, the company remains under the control of the Montalbano family. Son Richard is president, while grandsons Mark and Rick Montalbano, Richard's wife and even Montalbano Sr.'s wife, Patricia, all work in the company. The senior Montalbanos have been married for 72 years.
Montalbano Majestic International makes French provincial and Baroque-style furniture in sold carved wood. They also import similarly styled furniture from Italy.
The headquarters, showroom and manufacturing plants are outside Chicago.
"A lot of people don't realize there were more than 300 furniture companies in the Chicago area at the beginning of the 20th century," said Richard Montalbano. "Then they moved to Michigan, then High Point. And now, to China."
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