The average age of the workers at Vita Needle, a needle factory near Boston, is surprisingly 74 years.

The boss, Frederik Hartmann, has blind faith in his 35 pension workers, who in just five years have helped increase the company’s sales by one hundred percent. These “hired for life” employees like Mary, Marion, Paul, Tom, Ann and Rosa, all between 75 and 96 years old, have found a new home, they feel happy in this community and are needed. They are loyal, have a strong sense of responsibility, and are highly motivated. Rivalries or power struggles have no place in their lives. The free choice of work schedules leaves them plenty of time for grandchildren, medical appointments or gymnastics.

In their close and enjoyable interviews, the older workers at the needle factory reveal their sense of security. Full of joy and vitality, they describe how happy they are to work together, and they also talk about the dream they all share: to keep going up the stairs that lead to the production room for as long as possible.

Hartmann’s innovative approach seriously questions attitudes in our society, which often see people as young as 50 as virtually incompetent.