USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Meriden > Years of Meriden 150: published in connection with the observance of the city's sesquicentennial, June 17-23, 1956 > Part 16
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Industries in 1900 were in a transition stage, from old to new methods of production. Water power, by which the wheels of the earliest factories were turned, had been replaced by steam power, and many plants had already converted from steam power to electric power. Industrial leaders were looking ahead and studying ways and means of meeting competition with better quality products made as economically as possible. The basic materials used here were wood, ivory, bone, horn, iron, steel, copper, lead, zinc, nickel, tin, silver, gold and glass. Alloys were still in their infancy, but were applied as experimentation proved their worth.
The automobile industry was newly born, but showing evidences of healthy growth. The internal combustion engine had great potentials, it was recognized. It might, in time, supply the new power factor needed.
The success of Meriden's Centennial observance gave the city new confidence. The new model automobiles seen in the parades of 1906 had more significance than the novelty of the spectacle. They were the heralds of an entirely new enterprise with enormous possibilities of growth in which Meriden later would share.
The list of factories in Meriden at the time of the Centennial, with the years of their establishment, follows:
A. H. Jones, 1901; Jennings & Griffin, 1880; the Kelsey Com- pany, 1872; Edward Miller Co., 1844; Meriden Cutlery Company, 1855; C. F. Monroe Co., 1886; Meriden Curtain Fixture Co., 1869; Miller Bros. Cutlery Co., 1870; Meriden Fire Arms Co., 1905; Manning Bowman & Co., 1872; Morehouse Bros., 1898; Meriden
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Braid Co., 1906; Meriden Machine & Tool Co., 1889; J. J. Niland Co., 1902; Elias Oefinger, 1900; Charles Parker Co., 1832; M. B. Schenck Co., 1887; Silver City Glass Co., 1905; Charles E. Schu- nack Co., 1891; Wilcox & White Co., 1887; Frank Wheeler & Son, 1889; F. J. Wallace, 1876; Wm. Wheeler Co., 1891; Webster & Brigmann, 1891; Helmschmied Mfg. Co., 1903; A. J. Hall Co., 1899; Foster, Merriam & Co., 1850; Fritz Bros., 1903.
Before the entry of America into World War I, a new class of production had become established. Soon after the war began in Europe, it became apparent that the United States would be called upon to supply large amounts of war materials to the combatant nations.
As it became apparent that this country would be drawn into the conflict, preparations of a defensive nature became urgent, and the government began to issue large contracts for armaments to equip its own forces. Other classes of products were needed also, as the armed services grew. Before the war ended in 1918, most Meriden industrial firms were fully engaged in war pro- duction, and many companies which could not be strictly classified as industrial, were contributing largely to the war effort through the service of supply. Among them were many mentioned previously in this chapter, and some established after 1906. A survey, made especially for this volume, records the names of A. H. Jones; the Jennings & Griffin Mfg. Company; the Kelsey Co .; Julius Katt; Kennedy & Ragone Co .; Wm. J. Luby; Landers, Frary & Clark (purchased the Meriden Cutlery Co. in 1919); S. C. Lewis (wood planing and turning); Edward Miller Co .; Meriden Cutlery Co .; C. F. Monroe Co .; Miller Bros. Cutlery Co. (succeeded by the Meriden Knife Co.); Manning, Bowman & Co .; Meriden Gravure Co .; Morehouse Bros .; Max Merklinger; Meriden Press & Drop Co. (established 1911, successor to A. H. Merriman); Merriam Metal Patterns and Model Works; Meriden Braid Co. (succeeded by Pioneer Braid Co.); Meriden Optical & Jewelry Co .; Meriden Jewelry Mfg. Co. (established 1914); Meriden Machine & Tool Co .; J. J. Niland Co .; New England Pottery Co .; New England Westinghouse Co. (in war pro- duction 1916 to 1918, followed by the Colt Patent Firearms Co. in the same building, now the International Silver Com- pany's north end plant); Elias Oefinger; the Charles Parker Company; The Penfield Mfg. Company (established 1911 to
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make automobile spotlights); the Peerless Mfg. Company (estab- lished 1917 to manufacture brass articles); the H. E. Rainaud Company (1913 to 1929); Rockwell Silver Co .; Remo Co .; M. B. Schenck Co. (a division of the Bassick Company in 1917; removed in 1928); Silver City Glass Co .; Charles E. Schunack Co .; Saviteer Memorial Works; J. H. Sanderson (electroplating); Tredennick Paint Mfg. Company; W. H. Thompson Candy Co .; Tillinghast Silver Co .; Henry B. Todd (X-ray machines and appliances); Universal Music Co. (music rolls and records); Vacuum Specialty Co .; Vocalion Organ Co .; Wilcox & White Co. (closed 1921; recording laboratory and studios open until 1925); Frank Wheeler & Sons; F. J. Wallace (saddlery hardware); Wolf's New Process Abrasive Wheel, Inc. (1919); Wm. Wheeler Co. (photoen- graving); White, Bottrell & Page Co. (printing); Webster & Brigmann (glass cutters); Waterbury Clock Co. (branch); Andrew Young & Sons (machine tools); Doolittle Box Co. (1918; purchased by J. R. Hall 1930).
The Meriden Electric Light Company and the Meriden Gas Light Company, then operated as separate companies, were naturally all-important to the war effort as sources of light and fuel.
Some concerns arrived shortly after the war period, just too late to play a part in war production here. The principal company to be noted in this class is New Departure, which began pro- ducing in Meriden in 1920. Lemke & Reiske, metal work, was established in 1924. The Meriden Rug Company, now the Perry Rug Company, began business in 1929. Handley Bros. Co., founded in 1922, was part of the local business picture until 1949.
Production of goods for civilian consumption was resumed soon after the war, and proceeded in growing volume until the depression - dealt with in another chapter - began to curtail demand. There were some industrial casualties in the years which followed, among them the Handel Company, lamp manufacturers, established in 1883. The factory ceased operations about 1935, and the corporation was officially terminated in 1941. But in the meantime, other companies had arrived to occupy most of the building.
Most of the companies previously mentioned, which had played a part in World War I production and supply, had another opportunity to serve as contributors to the new effort
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which began as World War II loomed. By that time, there were additional concerns to augment local industry, including wholesale supply and other forms of business outside the retail picture. Among them were Goodman Bros., who moved into the former Morehouse Bros. plant; Miller-Johnson, Inc. (established 1936); the Meriden Buffing Company; Mero Mfg. Co. (established 1926); Metallic Potters Co .; Mederick Marchand; Meriden Wire- frame Co .; Monowatt Electric Corp .; Nutmeg Press; Ellmore Silver Co. (established 1924); the General Electric Company (branch factory established here in 1931, removed in 1948); Packer Machine Co., automatic buffing and polishing machinery, (established 1925); the W. J. Packer Mfg. Company; Charles W. Parker, printer; Phillips Mfg. Company (established 1929); Rich Display and Plastics (established 1929); Rockwell Silver Co .; H. E. Rainaud Co .; Rubber Specialty Co .; Herco Art Mfg. Co. (1927-1944; successor to H. E. Rainaud Co., now in Wallingford); John R. Sexton Co., tinsel cord (established 1927); Henry E. Shiner Co .; Storts Welding Co .; Standard Cutlery Co .; J. Schaeffer Co., lamp shades; Tillinghast Silver Co .; Hyman Tanger Co .; Lutz Co., silver products (1947-1952); Lambson Specialty Co. (established 1942); Meriden Bedding Co .; Oregon Silver Co. (established 1941); Puffe Tool and Die Co .; N. W. Parks Co. (purchased C. E. Schunack Co. in 1944); Production Equipment Co. (established 1939); Price Pattern Shop; James E. Bunting, Jr .; Brooklyn Thermometer Co .; R. Bemont & Son; Chandler-Evans Corp. (established 1940, removed 1945); Sonora Record Co. (sold to Connecticut Record Mfg. Company, removed 1948); Con- necticut Gas Products; Daylight Mfg. Company; Franklin Dress Co. (established 1941); G. H. French & Co .; T. D. Hotchkiss Co .; W. H. Leaman Co .; Meriden Electroplating & Finishing Co .; Albert Mitchell; Meriden Welding Co .; R. & H. Machine Shop (1943-1956); Shaw Paper Box Co .; Vincenzo Torchia; Frank M. Whiting Co. (1939); E. C. Wilcox Corp .; F. L. Waller Co .; Youngberg Bros.
Among the companies which have entered the local field since the end of World War II are the Meriden Foundry Company, in 1946; Meriden Precision Screw Products in 1947; the Muirson Label Company, which took over the former Chandler-Evans plant in South Meriden in 1949 after it had been vacated by the
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Nestle Lemur Company, which had occupied it from 1945; Rose Window Products in 1950.
LARGER INDUSTRIES
THE INTERNATIONAL SILVER COMPANY
The alliance of silver manufacturing concerns which had taken place in the last decade of the 19th century was in a strong position in 1900 to proceed to even greater gains. As the Inter- national Silver Company, the consolidation had attained the advantage of unified corporate management, and the best experi- ence of each concern could be exploited for the benefit of all, while weaker spots could be strengthened or else incised.
George H. Wilcox, first vice president when the new concern was organized, succeeded to the presidency in 1907, and served in that office until 1928, when he became chairman of the board. Under him, the company made steady, consistent progress in expanding sales and improving manufacturing processes. He died in 1940.
Clifford R. Gardinor, who had been Mr. Wilcox's assistant for seven years, was elected president in 1928. He had joined the company in 1909 as purchasing agent. His death occurred in 1935.
Vice President Evarts C. Stevens, who had come up from the bench in the silverware industry, was elected to succeed Mr. Gardinor. His elder brother, Frederick M. Stevens, and his younger brother, Maltby Stevens, were among his executive associates. The Stevens family had a long tradition of silver- making, dating back to the earliest days of the industry.
The new president set up an organization in which Executive Vice President Roy C. Wilcox, elder son of George H. Wilcox, was made responsible for the purchasing and traffic departments in addition to other specific duties.
From 1915 until his death in 1928, George D. Munson had been active in the company, serving as a member of the executive committee and first vice president, and taking part in general management. His son, Vice President Craig D. Munson, was made general sales manager, responsible to the president. Alpeck Zeitung, director of flatware sales, now retired, had charge of the general advertising department as one of his responsibilities. Horace C. Wilcox, younger son of "G. H.," was made director
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of holloware sales. Herbert J. Reeves, who has since retired, was in charge of the controller's office. He was succeeded in this position by George L. Stringer.
Important changes in top management have taken place during the last five years. On January 31, 1951, Maltby Stevens was elected president of the company to succeed his brother, Evarts C. Stevens, who was named chairman of the board of directors. Maltby Stevens had been in charge of all the manufacturing operations of the company for a number of years, and had made an outstanding record in handling war production. Lee F. Revere succeeded him in charge of manufacturing operations, and was elected a vice president in March 1951.
Maltby Stevens died June 29, 1955, having served only a little more than four years as president of the company with which he had been connected from early youth.
On July 27 last year, Craig D. Munson of Wallingford was elected president. Previously, he had been vice president for sales. He joined the company in 1920, was made advertising manager of the sterling division in 1924, and became manager of that division and a company director in 1928. In 1929 he was made a member of the executive committee, and was elected vice presi- dent for sales in 1935.
To succeed Mr. Munson in charge of sales, John B. Stevens, son of Evarts Stevens, was elected vice president, director and executive committee member. He became affiliated with the company in 1939 as manager of the statistical department, held several managerial positions, and became general sales manager of wholesale lines in 1954, the position which he held at the time of his elevation to the new office.
Many changes in manufacturing methods have taken place in the silver industry during this century. The Rogers Bros. of 1847 did their silverplating in a little tank holding only five or six gallons of solution. The silver did not cling to the base material as it does today. Occasionally, peeling took place. Now the plating is done in 3,000-gallon tanks, and the process is completed within a much shorter time, due to the stepping-up of the electrical output, which has been multiplied 600 times over the amount of current originally fed. The cleaning operation is sufficiently thorough to hold the silverplate permanently, but mild enough not to destroy the finely buffed finish of the base metal. A system
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of solution, agitation and racking, plus laboratory control of the solution's composition, enables the operator to make the silver- plate heavier on the parts most subject to wear.
In 1923, the company purchased the Meriden Malleable Iron plant to become the center of its cutlery departments, moved there from Factory H. A modern electric casting and rolling mill was erected at the north end. The Wilcox & Evertsen sterling factory was transferred to the remodeled building on North Colony Street.
In 1928, International took over E. G. Webster & Son and moved its operations from Brooklyn to Meriden. A year later, LaPierre Mfg. Company of Newark, N. J. was moved to Walling- ford. By 1932, the buildings on Colony Street, at the intersection of Cross Street, which had originally been used by the Meriden Silver Plate Company and the Barbour Silver Plate Company, were remodeled into the Sales Service Institute. The plant in Derby was closed in 1935, and in the same year the company took over the American Silver Company in Bristol. The plant in Waterbury, which had been producing flatware as Rogers & Brother since 1858, was closed, but the line was continued.
The story of International's production during World War II is a story in itself. The conversion from peacetime to wartime efforts began in 1940, when silverware production in Meriden and Wallingford was almost at a peak. By June of 1943, the company was engaged practically 100 per cent in war production. The products were numerous and varied, ranging from incendiary bombs to surgical instruments. During this period, the company and its workers won many awards for their contribution to the war effort.
Readjustment of the whole pattern of production became necessary once more after the war ended, and was accomplished with a minimum of disclocations. By October 1945, the company was delivering substantial quantities of its normal lines.
In 1947, construction of a new plant to house flatware produc- tion was started north of Wallingford, just off route 5. It was opened in 1949, and is considered the most modern plant of its type in the world.
To meet the demands of defense production, the company has built a $1,500,000 addition to its new Factory A in Wallingford. It was constructed especially to handle contracts for component
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parts for jet engines. Machinery and equipment were furnished by the government, but the plant is owned by the company.
In February 1950 it was announced that International had obtained an option on 35 acres of land on South Broad Street, known as the Watrous farm, just within the city limits of Meriden. A zoning variation was sought to permit the erection of a new plant and an administration building on this site, and the Court of Common Council on March 7, 1950 unanimously voted for the change required. Ground was broken on September 6, 1955, but a further step was necessary before construction could proceed. A new interpretation of Section 9 of the City Charter had to be obtained from the state legislature to permit the extension of sewer and water facilities to the site. Through the efforts of Mayor Altobello and Meriden legislators this was achieved last year without the necessity of a referendum. In the construction permit the cost of the plant was placed at $4,000,000. Eventually all the offices and production will be moved from State Street to the new location.
NEW DEPARTURE DIVISION OF GENERAL MOTORS
The New Departure Division of General Motors, which began operations here in 1922, manufactures anti-friction ball bearings for a wide variety of uses. It employs approximately 4,000 persons and has contributed much to the city's growth and prosperity.
Meriden is one of the three cities in which this division of General Motors operates. The parent plant is in Bristol, where the business was founded in 1888. Another plant in Sandusky, Ohio, was opened in 1946.
The company acquired the "old woolen mill" on Pratt Street in 1920. Practically the whole interior of the building was removed during the renovations which followed. Office personnel were located on the first floor, with the mechanical departments on the second and third floors. Another building for manufac- turing purposes was erected to the west, adjoining the office- mechanical areas.
When operations began, approximately 300 men and women were on the payroll. Most of the supervisory personnel was transferred from Elmwood and Bristol, including the plant's first manager, the late Charles M. Gearing, who later became division works manager. Later top executives were Milton L. Gearing,
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son of the original plant manager, John J. Curry, William E. Murden, and Robert T. Collins. The present plant manager is Harry Burgess.
At the outset many of the local plant's employees were trans- ported to and from Bristol, and participated in training operations here.
Since the Meriden plant was opened, ball bearings of the smaller sizes have been added to production for such applications as generators, household appliances, electric motors, and instru- ments.
The production performance of New Departure here during World War II was regarded as a marvel by all who had contact with it. Millions of bearings were turned out to help equip the armed forces. The plant operated on a three-shift basis around the clock seven days a week. In January 1944, the Meriden divi- sion recorded its all-time high in employment with 8,082 men and women on the payroll. It received a number of awards from the government for its achievements.
During the war, the production of instrument ball bearings became especially important. The Meriden plant was selected to begin the manufacture of these ultra-precise products. A plant in Guilford, employing about 300 hands, was maintained at that period, but it was closed after the war and most of its employees came to Meriden.
In 1942, New Departure enlarged its manufacturing facilities here by acquiring a plant, on the opposite side of Pratt Street, from the International Silver Company. A section of the buildings was razed later to provide additional parking space.
In December 1954, a modern industrial waste treatment system was installed. It eliminates oils and chemicals from water used in processing operations before it flows into Harbor Brook.
The local division has helped to promote and has contributed largely to many community programs. Hundreds of plant em- ployees over the years have engaged in many activities for civic benefit.
Many improvements in manufacturing operations have been made in recent years, resulting in products of better quality and increased quantity.
Harry T. Burgess, manager of the Meriden plant, has been with
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the bearing firm since 1928, rising through the positions of fore- man, superintendent, personnel manager, and general superinten- dent before being appointed to his present position. With him are associated C. Frederick Crow, factory manager; John DiFran- cesco, production manager; Oscar Liebreich, chief inspector; Joseph Robinson, personnel manager; George Smith, master mechanic, and Edward Noon, resident comptroller.
THE MILLER COMPANY
The Miller Company, one of Meriden's oldest industrial plants, is currently in its 112th year as a manufacturer of lighting fixtures. The industry began in 1844 in a small shop that produced candle- sticks and oil-burning lamps. Today it has factories and offices in Meriden and in Ohio.
When kerosene was distilled from bituminous coal in 1858, Miller was the first concern in the country to design, produce, and market a kerosene-burning lamp. During the Victorian era, the company pioneered in the design and production of gas fixtures. Later came the lamps using the Wellsbach mantle, Edison's carbon filament incandescent lamp, mercury-vapor and, in 1938, fluorescent lighting.
In addition to the illuminating division, the Miller Company has in Meriden a brass rolling mill which was started in 1868. It was originally intended to supply only the brass parts used here in making lamps, but has since grown to become a national supplier of phosphor bronze and brass.
The officers of the company are Burton G. Tremaine, chairman of the board; Burton G. Tremaine, Jr., president; William H. Fitzpatrick, secretary-treasurer; Frederick R. Slagle, vice presi- dent and manager of the rolling mill division; Henry J. Milling- ton, vice president and manager of the illuminating division, and L. Melvin Grawemeyer, vice president in charge of sales for the illuminating division.
The company's factories and offices in Meriden employ 282 persons in the illuminating and rolling mill divisions.
The rolling mill division is currently undergoing a five-year million-dollar expansion and modernization program which began in 1954.
A custom shop was established in connection with the illumin- ating division two years ago. In it custom fixtures are hand made
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for special orders received from churches, schools, offices, and government buildings and installations.
Electronic equipment to accelerate payroll and billing pro- cedures was recently installed. Communication between the Meriden and Ohio plants is almost instantaneous by means of an electronic device. Orders received in Meriden can be transmitted to Ohio in a matter of seconds.
The fluorescent manufacturing facilities were transferred to Ohio from Meriden in 1947, but there is an increasing demand for the incandescent lighting equipment manufactured here, offering great promise for future productivity.
THE CHARLES PARKER COMPANY
The Charles Parker Company is the oldest industry in Meriden, dating back to 1832. Its progress in the nineteenth century has been recorded previously in this volume.
The most important change since 1900 occurred when the Parker Company in 1940 purchased the Bradley & Hubbard Mfg. Company, another old concern, founded in 1854. Through the purchase additional manufacturing capacity was obtained. A line of lighting fixtures and architectural metal work was added to production, which was concentrated in the plants on Hanover Street.
In addition to a complete rearrangement of facilities, a rebuild- ing and modernization program was undertaken and machinery was installed to meet modern competition. The concern has approximately 300 employees.
Products include foundry-selected non-ferrous castings requir- ing special alloys and treatment, as well as machine-finished castings; structural iron fire escapes, staircases, grille work and railings, both bridge and highway; sheet metal, precision instru- ments and aircraft specification work; bathroom cabinets, distributed through plumbing jobbers on a nationwide basis; bathroom fixtures of chrome and anodized aluminum, in color, for wood and tile applications; mirrors made with stainless steel or brass with chrome plating; vises for machinists and the home workshop; special lighting for churches, public buildings and banks.
The officers of the company are Parker B. Allen, president; C. T. Jordan, J. J. Connors and McRae Curtis, vice presidents;
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O. C. Hugo, secretary; W. E. Ackroyd, treasurer. McRae Curtis is factory manager.
THE CUNO ENGINEERING CORPORATION
The Cuno Engineering Corporation was established in 1912 by Charles H. Cuno and his father, the late Charles F. Cuno. The original products of the company were electrical automotive specialties.
The company acquired the Board of Trade building on South Vine Street in 1925, and made additions to it as its growth continued. With the development of the Cuno "Auto Klean" filter for aircraft engines and airplanes, the company began an outstanding contribution to the aircraft industry. The filters were rapidly adopted for the hydraulic systems of planes for retractable landing gear, brakes, wing flaps, turrets, etc. During World War II, the production of this type of equipment increased enormously, and the company's contribution to the war effort was most important.
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