**Source:** CHEM-TEXTS
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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 other factors 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 Operation
Over the past years the plant’s management and the union’s officers have analyzed ways to improve the output of the operation but the efforts have not been able to change the financial status of it. The Company fell, 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 Engineering Department on the use of it in new products but the results seem to be slow and no substantial results seem to be in the offing.
Fuel Use
Down; But
Costs Go Up
The Energy Conservation 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; installation of storm sash windows 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 be a substantial saving in fuel costs. But because of the continued rise on page 2
Dividend Declared
In addition, it received 109 patents in foreign countries, exclusive of Canada.
Some of the significant patents granted to Leland Darnals for the Polyvel* K products, which are used as chemicals in the production of thermoplastic rubbers; Robert T. Fisher (retined)received…on page 4