UNIROYAL CHEM-TEXTS
Vol. 9, 1975 | PUBLISHED FOR THE PEOPLE OF UNIROYAL CHEMICAL | No. 3
Company Announces Tentative Closing Of Reclaim Rubber Operations
200 Employees Affected
For years the rumor has persisted that the Reclaim Rubber Plant would close down because of competition from synthetic rubber, the marketing of radial tires, and annual losses due to lower demand.
It seems that the 80 year era may now be at an end when the plant management announced the tentative plans to close it down in a statement to the officers of the URW Local 218 on May 21.
Constant Efforts Made to Keep Operating
Over the past years the plant’s management and the union’s officers have analyzed ways to reduce costs and improve the output of the operation but the efforts have not been able to change the financial status of it. The Company felt, after investigating all possibilities that it was necessary to announce a tentative decision to close it down.
New Markets Do Not Materialize
The Sales department attempted to increase prices and generate new markets but the efforts were not successful. Research and Development has been working with the State of Connecticut on the use of it in roads but the progress has been slow and no substantial results seem to be in the offing.
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The Reclaim Rubber plant dates back to 1892 and is the oldest production unit at the Naugatuck Chemical location. It recycles about 1,500,000 scrap tires a year.
27 Receive Diplomas
[IMAGE CAPTION:]
Factory Manager James Cronin hands out diplomas to people who graduated from the Techniques of Supervision Course. From left are Irene Broderick, K. Donald Nelson, Rocco Magnanimo, Angenette Grant, Cronin, Frederick Gould, the Instructor, and George Allen, who set up the educational program.
After ten weeks of lectures on the Techniques of Supervision twenty seven foremen and supervisors graduated in a ceremony in Bldg. 81 conference room. Factory Manager James Cronin presented the certificates, bringing the total number of graduates of the course to 61.
Frederick Gould, an assistant professor on the Connecticut State Technical Colleges staff, conducted the sessions. Having been a Foreman at the American Brass Co. mill operations in
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U.S. Issues 34 Patents; One-Third of Uniroyal Total
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Dr. Stephen Cantor, left, who received 5 patent awards, discusses a new chemical with Dr. Byron Hunter who received his 38th., the highest in the Chemical division.
1974 was a banner year for the Chemical Division when 34 patents were issued to it by the U.S. Patent Office. This is the largest number in the division’s history except for the year 1966 and represents one third of the total awarded to the Company by the U.S. The Company—as a whole—received 109 U.S. patents.
In addition, it received 109 patents in foreign countries, exclusive of Canada.
Some of the significant patents included those issued to Leland Dannals for the Polywet® K products, which are used as emulsifiers in the production of latex; William Fischer (retired) for thermoplastic rubbers; Rob-
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Fuel Use Down; But Costs Go Up
The Energy Conservation Task Force, organized in 1973 to conserve energy in the plant, was able to achieve a reduction of 22.9% in fuel oil consumption in 1974 over 1973. The decrease amounted to an average saving in oil equivalent to a 65 day supply.
The drop in the use of steam resulted from the repair of steam leaks; improved techniques in power use; cooperation by employees to close windows and doors in buildings; improved pipe insulation and good climatic conditions during the winter.
Although Use Is Down Costs Almost Double
Under normal conditions the 22.9% reduction in oil would have shown a substantial savings in fuel costs. But because of the
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Dividend Declared
The company declared a dividend of 17½ cents a share on the common stock, which is payable June 25 to stockholders of record on May 27.
A dividend of $2 a share on the 8% first preferred stock, was declared by the Board of Directors on February 12, and is payable June 25 to stockholders of record on May 27.