Doyen of the Placket Racket
In 1970, Robert “Robbie” Eisenberg retired from the garment business at 72, after decades in clothing and zipper production. Ten years and many golf rounds later, Eisenberg went back to work. (“They recalled me as a consultant because I knew A to Z,” he quips.) These days, the 103-year-old logs two days a week overseeing production, purchasing and other operations for downtown zipper manufacturer Zabin Industries. “When I look back on it now,” Eisenberg says, retirement was “boring.” We tag along on a recent shift.
9:50 a.m. Dapper in black hat and sport coat, Eisenberg is dropped off in front of the factory.
9:51 In the building, he passes motivational signs with slogans such as: “You are empowered to insist on zero defects.”
9:55 Eisenberg sits at a desk in the office and reviews zipper orders. He takes a short break to tinker with a bright orange “Tickle Tickle Wiggle Wiggle” pumpkin doll. “I’m trying to promote a zipper in back” instead of Velcro, he explains.
10:35 Eisenberg has questions for Rocky, the factory manager, including, “What color is [zipper] 508?” (russet), and “How are your separators?” referring to the types of zippers found on jackets. Rocky is running low.
11:00 Time to tour the factory, where Eisenberg approvingly zips and unzips a zipper for Lucky Brand jeans.
11:45 Dave, vice president of operations, brings Eisenberg a file of pie charts and graphs. “You had a down slide in sales last month,” Eisenberg observes.
12:05 As Eisenberg enters the lunchroom, President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney appear on the TV screen. “I don’t like Bush,” he announces. Along with half a chicken sandwich, Eisenberg enjoys a few fries and a Coke.
12:50 Back in the office, a clear bag full of Guess? pocket grommets catches Eisenberg’s eye. “Gloria,” he calls to the administrative clerk. “What is this Guess? for? We’re not going to put these together for them!” Gloria informs him she’s on the phone. “OK, dear,” he says.
1:00 “Does YKK make a number 3 nylon?” Gloria asks Eisenberg. “As opposed to a 2.5?” he responds. “I think they discontinued that. Did you see this?” he says, flashing a brochure. “That’s the new scanner,” says Gloria. “We’re using these now for inventory.” “Jesus,” Eisenberg replies. “More work.”
1:20 Eisenberg pulls a faxed newspaper obituary off the machine. “Gloria,” he shouts. “You know who died? A very good friend of mine. Don’t you remember him? We did a tremendous amount of business with him.” Gloria reads the obituary aloud over Eisenberg’s shoulder. “If you want a picture of George, just close your eyes and see a guy with a baseball hat, a cigar in his mouth, a fatigue jacket, with a Brooklyn accent, and that was George,” she says. Eisenberg nods in agreement.
1:48 Eisenberg pulls an order off the fax and calls for Rocky. “Black you got?” he asks. “Florida green? I’ve got to order the rail gray, sea mist and Florida green.”
2:30 Eisenberg does another factory tour. “Cuanto?” he asks a woman working on zippers for the Blue Tattoo clothing line. He calls Rocky over to the next station. “You have 4 inches more here if you need them,” he points out.
2:50 On his way out, Eisenberg says to Gloria, “One more thing before I go: What’s this Guess?” He holds up the bag of grommets. “Oh, I have no idea, Robbie,” she says. “We’re not going to attach them!” he repeats. “It isn’t part of the deal!”
