| Two years later it was decided to move the company to Galva Illinois, and on October 15, 1936 the company started production in its new location after purchasing it from Harry S. Best. Originally the Galva Gas Light and Coke Company (1882), it was also the former home of the John H. Best and Sons factory and a couple automobile garages. At least three employees made the move from Moline with the firm: Eleanor Morford Pratt, Ronald Boyd, and Clarence Schultz. All three would continue their service for decades. Mr. Boyd was the first Briegel employee, hired May 29, 1934, and would work there for 42 years! Clarence Schultz (hired April 8, 1936) would even help the eventual new owners during the April 1976 transition and relocation/consolidation of the facility to South Bend Indiana, working 40 years for the company that hired him in part because his cousin used to baby sit my mother and uncle. The first local Galva employee was J. Ed Matson. An Open House was held on Friday March 5, 1937 complete with guided tours. At that time, the company boasted 25 employees. According to the announcement in the Thursday March 4th, 1937 edition of "The Galva News," the complete list of employees included:
An early photo of the company from the "Galvaland" October 1983 issue
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