Senate Resolution No. 1907

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of Varflex
Corporation of Rome, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor those
businesses within the State of New York which distinguish themselves
through outstanding professional behavior, corporate innovation, and
enduring commitment to the community; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Varflex Corporation of Rome, New
York; and

WHEREAS, Varflex pioneered braiding fiberglass electrical insulated
sleeving and the use of silicone varnishes on fiberglass sleeving; the
company focuses on up-twisting and plying high-performance fibers like
Fiberglass, Spectra, Kevlar, Basalt, Polyester, Nomex, Nylon, and other
fibers, and distributes its products from braiding and winding to
different coatings domestically and internationally across various
industries; and

WHEREAS, In 1924, radios were beginning to be produced in the United
States; two brothers, Charles A. and R. Harry Jenny, along with their
brother-in-law, James E. Griffin of Rome, New York, saw a need for the
United States to begin manufacturing what use to be known as "spaghetti
tubing," which was only being produced in Germany at the time; and

WHEREAS, The original Varflex operation was set up in a small room,
adjoining an auto repair garage owned by Charles A. Jenny and James E.
Griffin; for about 15 years, the partners worked part-time between
Varflex and the auto repair, growing the new business slowly but large
enough to shift focus to the new endeavor; and

WHEREAS, In 1940, James E. Griffin and Charles A. Jenny assumed full
ownership of the company, and from there, the business experienced a
steady, healthy expansion; these two dedicated businessmen worked at
Varflex until their passing in 1969 and 1974, respectively; and

WHEREAS, Dorothy and William Griffin kept the family business alive,
learning the ins and outs of Varflex, with Dorothy Griffin serving as
President of the company until her passing in 2015, and William Griffin
serving as Vice President until his passing in 2019; these two leaders
were pillars of the Rome community and leave an enduring legacy which
stands as a testament to hard work, dedication, and unwavering service;
and

WHEREAS, Varflex developed sleeving for vital usages in many
aircrafts and various electrical equipment for the United States Armed
Forces as well as for radios and radar equipment, dynamotors, aircraft
generators and electrical apparatus used by the United States Navy;
since then, the company has expanded applications beyond just the
military; and

WHEREAS, Electrical insulated sleeving is an essential component of
any electrical machine, motor, or appliance; in response to customer
demand within these vast market areas, Varflex has developed an array of
types of insulated sleeving that are available in a variety of sizes and
colors, and come in coils, cut lengths, or on spools; and

WHEREAS, Varflex manufactures sleeving that is suitable for high and
low temperatures, high and low voltages, as well as for abrasive and
other physically demanding applications and hostile environments; and

WHEREAS, Experiencing remarkable growth since the business'
conception, Varflex has grown from a company with an initial 12
employees to an astounding 150 employees, now occupying an incredible
200,000 square foot facility; and

WHEREAS, In June 2017, Varflex achieved ISO 9001:2015 registration
by NSF-ISR; and

WHEREAS, Varflex Corporation's most recent expansion includes adding
a second facility to expand their Twist & Ply operations; with Twist &
Ply, the company has the capability to take single-strand yarns composed
of continuous, multi-filament fibers and increase the desired design
diameter as well as tensile strength; and

WHEREAS, To meet worldwide demand from both industrial and
commercial applications, Varflex markets its products through a network
of sales representatives and distributors located in the United States,
Canada, Mexico, Europe, and the Far East; Varflex maintains life-long
relationships with many of its customers by continuing to supply them
with the highest-quality electrical insulated sleevings, coupled with
exceptional service; and

WHEREAS, In dedication to serving their community, Varflex commits
100% of their profits, after normal business expense deductions, to
charities across the central New York region; to date, the corporation
has contributed over $3.5 million to various local organizations; and

WHEREAS, The success of Varflex is in direct correlation to the
efforts of its dedicated leadership and staff, whose involvement is, and
always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled
enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all
endeavors on behalf of the businesses and the communities they serve;
and

WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body
acknowledges this exceptional business, its contributions to the local
and state economies, and its vibrant role in improving the quality of
life in its community, fully confident it will continue to enjoy the
same sparkling successes it has experienced thus far; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Varflex Corporation; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Varflex Corporation, Rome, New York.