Our Reputation is Tops - Electron Top

"WE", is a story spanning three generations of a
family engaged in the Auto Trim Industry that eventually
led to the creation of "Electron Top". Our Dad,
Fred W. Strauss Jr., deplored the use of the word "I" in
conducting business. He often reminded us of a book that
Charles Lindbergh wrote about his solo accomplishment
crossing the Atlantic in 1927 that was named "WE", in
recognition of the support received from others. Our story
cannot match that of Lindbergh's heroic deed in signifi -
cance, but "WE" hope it will keep us ever mindful of the
help and support one gets from family and business associates.
Sometimes help comes from strange and unexpected
places. When you look back on your own accomplishments,
you will probably realize too, that you didn't do it alone.
The late Henry Yudt (1897-1989), our Grandfather,
was born in Hungary and started his apprenticeship
at age 12 in a carriage factory in Budapest. During World
War I he did upholstery for aircrafts. In 1920 he came to
America and while learning to speak English worked in the
custom auto body building shops that fl ourished in New
York City at the time. By 1930 he went into the Auto Trim
business as "Richmond Hill Auto Top" in a rented store in
Queens, NY. In 1948 a new building was erected directly
across the street from the original shop. The original trim
shop, in business for over 60 years, was operated since 1965
by his son Henry until closing its doors in Fall 2001. Henry
Yudt Sr. was a craftsman and businessman of the highest
caliber and he was the fi rst "HALL OF FAME" recipient in
the Auto Trim Industry.
SECOND GENERATION
Fred W. Strauss Jr., of a later generation than Mr.
Yudt, was trained as an aircraft mechanic, and went to work
for Grumman Aircraft Co. in 1940. He worked until 1942,
when he enlisted in the Navy fl ight program to fulfi ll a life
long ambition to become a Naval Aviator. After being commissioned
as a Naval Aviator in 1945, he married Henry
Yudt's daughter, Cath- erine, our Mother. Upon
returning to civilian life in late 1947, he
returned to Grumman until mid 1948 when
he went to work for his father-in-law
in the Auto Trim Industry. Henry
Yudt Sr. and Fred Strauss Jr. earned
a fi ne reputation as operators of one of
the most successful custom trim shops
in the New York area and in 1955 Fred W
Strauss Jr. (Our Dad) became the fi rst President
of the Auto Trim Association of New York.
"WE"
PAGE 13
In 1958-59 a few years after the introduction of
vinyl coated top materials, the electronic fused (heat sealed)
seams appeared on factory tops. This created a problem for a
complete custom trim shop, like Richmond Hill Auto Top. It
meant that "WE" would have to buy our tops from the larger
less quality oriented manufacturers, or invest in heat seal
equipment and learn how to use it. During the same period
of time in the late 50's, the mixture of old and new ideas grew
gradually from making convertible tops by cutting, fi tting,
and stitching each and every top individually, to a unique
semi-modern pattern and production method. "WE" chose
to buy heat seal equipment and were probably the only custom
trim shop to heat seal their own tops. Almost before the
equipment was in place, (knowing the reputation of Henry
Yudt Sr. and Fred Strauss Jr. for quality and craftsmanship)
"WE" were approached by several jobbers who were interested
in selling tops made by"Richmond Hill Auto Top".
THE BIRTH OF Electron Top
In 1960, out of one of the oldest trim shops in the
northeast "Electron Top", was born. "WE" chose Marbeth
Fabrics to do selling for us and enjoyed several years of
steady growth. In the early 1960's , Marbeth Fabrics reorganized.
Marty Karzmar lost his partner Jack Rosenthal and
"Electron Top" was left without a selling organization,
so our Dad did the selling. In 1965 Dad bought an airplane, a
Cherokee (180) and fl ew around visiting
customers. I'm sure some of you
still remember his visits, since most
of you are still valued customers.
For the next few years he left the
manufacturing in the hands of some
good key men. However, in the
normal evolution of things one key man
left Electron and became a very successful marine canvas
man. A year or so later our foreman was offered a job as a
service manager in a family owned Toyota dealership near
his home (an offer he couldn't refuse). So our Dad rolled up
his sleeves and went back to the hands on production and
pattern making with special attention given to Mercedes and
other Imports.
He vowed never to stop working with his hands
again and never did. Dad always said :
"The harder he worked the luckier he got!"