President arrives at Hatfield toy factory

President Obama is making history this afternoon, becoming the first U.S. President to speak in front of an American flag made of 49,000 K'nex pieces.

At 11:30 a.m., Marine One landed at the Rodon Group plant, in Hatfield, Montgomery County, and a crowd of about 350, including company employees, awaited his arrival at the toy factory.

"Its'a once-in-lifetime experience for the people here," said company designer Rob Simon, 52, of Plumsteadville, Bucks County.

He said that while he didn't vote for the President, "You've got to respect his position regardless of party affiliation."

He said employees, such as Rick Conti, 59, of Fox Chase, who works in the shipping department, showed up early to help get the factory ready for the visit.

Conti, an Obama supporter and a fan of middle-class tax cuts, arrived at 5 a.m.

"The working guy has always struggled," he said. "We all have the same problems ... kids in schools, daughters getting married. We all pay taxes. "I think it would be nice if everyone paid their fair share."

In addition to Tinkertoys, Lincoln Logs, and parts for K'Nex, the factory makes parts for coffee machines and windows.

The factory provides a colorful holiday backdrop for the President to push for extending middle-class tax cuts and the dangers of the so-called fiscal cliff.

The company, itself, has anything but endangered, showing 50 percent growth since 2009 and expanding its payroll to 200.

"We've really over the last four years defied a lot of the headlines," said Michael Araten, president and CEO of the K'Nex Brands division.

Among those attending today's event are U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D., Pa.); Montgomery County Commissioner Josh Shapiro, and Rick Bloomingdale, president of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO.

Contact Rita Giordano at 610-627-2649, rgiordano@phillynews.com or on Twitter @ritagiordano.