By Eileen Buckley
Orchard Park, NY – The man best remembered for his role as Cliff Clavin in the television series Cheers made a Western New York appearance Wednesday. John Ratzenberger toured the Mentholatum Company headquarters in Orchard Park. The company is growing and remains committed to the region.
The actor is now the Mentholatum Company's official spokesman for the Wellpatch -- a pain relieving pad for sore muscles and joints. Ratzenberger, who is an archer, says he tried the Wellpatch for his aches and pains, then agreed to promote it.
"I asked them to send me a box of the Wellpatch. We tried it out on friends and family who had sore muscles, "Ratzenberger said. "It works."
The Mentholatum Company was first established in Buffalo in 1910 and moved to Orchard Park about eight years ago. Best know for its Mentholatum Ointment, the company continues to add products and employs more than 125 local workers. It recently acquired Oxy and Phisoderm --products made at the Orchard Park plant.
There were some recent concerns that the company would leave the region. But Mark Cieslinski, vice president of marketing and sales, says its Japense parent company remains committed to US manufacturing and Western New York.
"The philosophy of our parent company is that we're going to think globally, but act locally. So, we need a presence in the United States if we're going to do business in the United States."
Ratzenberger took time out to talk with reporters about his career. He hosts the Travel Channel's "Made in America," and is also a character voice in Pixar Animation films. He's working on the latest movie "Cars" to open in June.
"'Click and Clack' (from) public radio are in 'Cars.' I got to meet Richard Petty. Paul Newman is in it, along with Owen Wilson and Bonnie Hunt," Ratzenberger said.
In between making movies and pitching for Mentolatum, Ratzenberger says he is also busy writing a book that is due out in October.