Utilitarian Analysis
Aaron Feuerstein & Malden Mills
MGMT 368 ~ Business Ethics
July 21, 2013
“The Mensch of Malden Mills”
Aaron Feuerstein is well-known in the community of Lawrence, Massachusetts as the owner of Malden Mills. Perhaps more importantly, he is known as the man who cares about his workers and goes out of his way to help them; the man with deep convictions to see things through to the end because he is a man who keeps his word. Mr. Feuerstein is also known around the globe as one of the only businessmen of our time who has deep ethical beliefs on which he acts. On the fateful day of December 11th, 1995, a mere two weeks before Christmas, a large portion of Malden Mills burned to the ground. Mr. Feuerstein’s decisions, and dealings, have made him a recognized man, one whose ethical decisions are now studied by others, and unfortunately also one who is criticized because his decisions are believed to ultimately have led to the downfall of his company.
Malden Mills, a textile company, was started by Feuerstein’s grandfather and passed through the family over the years until the point it came to the third generational owner, Mr. Aaron Feuerstein in 1957. The mill is known to many as one of the best places to work as it has “a longstanding reputation for being good to its employees and committed to its community” (Fire n.p.). Even in the face of destruction, when doubts among the 3,000 workers of Malden Mills as well as the entire community were running high, Mr. Feuerstein continued to do what was necessary to make sure all was returned to normal as soon as possible.
It is not exactly known how or what caused the fire to break out that fateful night at one of the Malden Mills’ factory buildings. It is, however, believed that a boiler somehow exploded “even though Malden Mills had the latest fire-sensing devices and sprinkler system.” That night three buildings burned to the ground after the explosion caused gas mains to rupture (Campbell n.p.). Of
MGMT 368 ~ Business Ethics
July 21, 2013
“The Mensch of Malden Mills”
Aaron Feuerstein is well-known in the community of Lawrence, Massachusetts as the owner of Malden Mills. Perhaps more importantly, he is known as the man who cares about his workers and goes out of his way to help them; the man with deep convictions to see things through to the end because he is a man who keeps his word. Mr. Feuerstein is also known around the globe as one of the only businessmen of our time who has deep ethical beliefs on which he acts. On the fateful day of December 11th, 1995, a mere two weeks before Christmas, a large portion of Malden Mills burned to the ground. Mr. Feuerstein’s decisions, and dealings, have made him a recognized man, one whose ethical decisions are now studied by others, and unfortunately also one who is criticized because his decisions are believed to ultimately have led to the downfall of his company.
Malden Mills, a textile company, was started by Feuerstein’s grandfather and passed through the family over the years until the point it came to the third generational owner, Mr. Aaron Feuerstein in 1957. The mill is known to many as one of the best places to work as it has “a longstanding reputation for being good to its employees and committed to its community” (Fire n.p.). Even in the face of destruction, when doubts among the 3,000 workers of Malden Mills as well as the entire community were running high, Mr. Feuerstein continued to do what was necessary to make sure all was returned to normal as soon as possible.
It is not exactly known how or what caused the fire to break out that fateful night at one of the Malden Mills’ factory buildings. It is, however, believed that a boiler somehow exploded “even though Malden Mills had the latest fire-sensing devices and sprinkler system.” That night three buildings burned to the ground after the explosion caused gas mains to rupture (Campbell n.p.). Of
Cited: Boulay, Art. “Leadership Focus: Malden Mills, A Study in Leadership.” OPI Inc. Brunswick, ME. Oct 1996. Web. 6 July 3012. . Campbell, Kenneth. “Malden Mills owner applies religious ethics to business.” MIT News. Cambridge, MA. 16 April 1997. Web. 6 July 2013. . Fire Destroys Malden Mills. Mass Moments. Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities. 2013. Web. 6 July 2013. . Gill, David W. “Was Aaron Feuerstein Wrong?” Ethix. Center for Integrity in Business. Seattle, WA. 25 June 2011. Web. 6 July 2013. . Leung, Rebecca. “The Mensch of Malden Mills.” CBS News. 11 Feb. 2009. Web. 6 July 2013. .