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UNIROYAL CHEM-TEXTS
Vol. 3 1969 PUBLISHED FOR THE PEOPLE OF UNIROYAL CHEMICAL No. 3
NAUGATUCK, LEADER IN RUBBER CHEMICALS
New Curalon Plant Starts Up
Will Increase Chemical Sales
Checking operations in the new Curalon plant are 1. to r. Anthony Gambardella, Rocco Magnanimo, foreman, and Thurman Walton.
The new Curalon plant in
Bldg. 17, formerly the Flex-zone and DDU plant, started
production recently of
Curalon® a new chemical
curative used to harden
Results Successful In Water Pollution Abatement Program
One of the three waste water treatment units along the Naugatuck river to provide design information for treatment of waste waters
By Dick Shaw
Uniroyal Chemical com-
pleted another major step in
its water pollution abatement
program with excellent re-
sults.
shape liquid polyurethane
elastomers. The polyurethane
customers have today become
a large industry.
Uniroyal Chemical, was a
leader in the research and
development of the polyure-
Good packaging is essential to good customer service. Left to right, watching the bagging of Delac S, John Starr, packaging operator, operates the bagging machine.
By Bob Mazurak
Uniroyal Chemical is the
world’s leading manufacturer
of rubber chemicals, repre-
senting a high percent of the
division’s sales. The Chemical
division manufactures more
than 70 different chemicals for
the rubber, plastics and latex
industries. 70 percent of these
chemicals are made here at
the Naugatuck plant. Many
are patented, which means
only Uniroyal Chemical can
make them; but many are not,
and sold against strong com-
petition. Recent price cuts
have hurt sales and profits and
made selling a harder job for
the Sales Department. To
maintain this position as
leader in the industry requires
constant research for new
chemicals; continued im-
provement in quality; extra
effort on good packaging to
improve service to our cus-
tomers; who are the most im-
portant part of our business.
Because of dirty, wrong-
marked packages and poor
quality products, we can never
lose two of the most positive
assets essential to a position
as leader in the industry.
Chemicals made at Naugat-
uck range from C.P.B. used
by golf ball manufacturers to “cure” golf ball covers to
uncured cement. Accelerators
are used to make every type
of rubber product from pencil
erasers to foam rubber mat-
tresses and automobile tires.
GMF* is used in the Minu-
teman Missile as part of the
propellant system.
The Naugatuck antioxidants,
the best in the industry, pro-
tect rubber products from
heat and oxygen which cause
rubber to deteriorate, dis-
color, or crumble. For ex-
ample, B-X-A protects the
nylon used in tire cord; Poly-
gard* and Nauguwhite* keep
white products – such as
sneakers and footwear-
white and prevent the rubber
from discoloring. Other well
known antioxidants are 0-
cresol, Retarder J and Butyl-
lte.
Rubber chemicals consti-
tute the highest cost in every
rubber product, and are from
two to ten times more ex-
pensive on a per-pound basis
than any other ingredient used
in the finished product. Be-
cause of their high cost, cus-
tomers demand the highest
quality chemicals for these
prices.because their turn to
SAFETY IS MY RESPONSIBILITY
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FROM THE FACTORY MANAGER
DEAR FELLOW EMPLOYEE:
Are you a professional? In sports the professional is one
whose proficiency and skill enables him to earn his living
through his participation. The professional is characterized by his pride
in his efforts. In a similar sense, we
are professionals earning our living
by supplying our customers with
chemicals, reclaim, and polymers.
But do we always demonstrate the
proficiency and skill required in our
jobs? Do we have the pride of workmanship characteristic of the professional?
Remember a professional always gives his best and always
tries to win. He puts team goals and team effort ahead of his
own personal desires. He believes the whole team wins together
and he takes pride in realizing that the true recognition for his
effort is in the team winning.
The same thing is true in our plant – we all win when we
satisfy our customers’ needs in the most efficient manner possible. Anything less than this – we aren’t professionals!
John D. Evans
Chemical Control Center Reviews
Quality, Productivity, and Costs
Sam Gillette, left, listens as Walt Frankenberger, in charge of the
Chemical Control Center (CCC) in Chemical
Production, right, superintendent of the CCC tells how the CCC is set up to increase productivity, improve the quality
of our products and to decrease costs. The center is
set up by Walt Frankenberger
who organized the procedures
for operating the CCC.
By weekly and daily review of production pounds,
quality, and costs, the Center
controls productivity and
spots downward trends in the
plant which require adjustment. The CCC also reviews
on a monthly basis the performance against set standards
of every chemical made by the
plant. Using the previous
month and year to date. This
evaluation is based on raw
material usage, yield and
productivity expressed in
pounds per hour. A report is
then given to the responsible
foreman and process engineer
so that corrective action can
be taken, if necessary.
For daily control, a daily
batch card is used for reporting the date and number of
batches made each day. The
cards are turned in daily to
the center, logged, and sent
to EIMCO for further processing.
The number of batches for
the major chemical products
are plotted on control boards,
shown in the photo, where
they are compared to a set
standard and on which a rolling average is maintained.
When the number of batches
drops below the standard, the
73 Employees Awarded $1455 For Suggestions.
Wojczak Receives $70, Mayo’s Idea Brings $50.
Looking at the checks awarded for their suggestions are l. to r. Elmer
Anderson, Joe Wojczak, and Bob Lockwood who received a total of
$157, for their ideas.
Suggestions for improving
the plant’s overall operations
can provide benefits which go
beyond the money received
for a suggestion award. Contributing suggestions and ideas
to the successful operation of the plant
and brings a personal satisfaction to his job. No matter
what you may think of your
suggestion, don’t hesitate to
send it in. It may turn out to
be an important one.
73 employees recently received $1,455, for their suggestions which were reviewed.
The highest single award of
$70 went to Fred Mayo. Joe
Wojczak received $70 for
several suggestions. John
Bunke received $55; Ed
Bazenas $55; Al Urban $50 and Bob
Urban $50 for their Synthetic Production $47.50.
Honorable Mentions $40 for their
suggestions were Ferdinand
Setrowski, R. Frankenberger,
Semaskrich and Elmer Anderson. Joe Gallucci $30 obtained $35 for his idea on
improving the cleaning of
Sweco screens. J. Gallucci $30
for a suggestion, and
$30 to W. Anderson, Fred
Pyles, J. Lawson, J. Waver
and J. Gandolfo.
$25 awards were received
by H. Rich, J. Waver, L.
Mitchelson, T. Brown, L.
foreman gives a detailed explanation of the causes for the
best production.
Since daily control was
initiated, rubber chemical production has consistently improved over production prior
to September 1968. This
quality of rubber chemicals
has also improved through the
Center’s operation. By improving production and
quality, the Center helps to
provide better service to our
customers, the most important
person in the business.
Ideas: Lois Devino, C. Jannuzi, F. Maher, A. Hanley,
Ray Gogulewki, J. Hoch, J.
Hoagland, J. Casteleiro, A.
Urbanski, N. Techman, J.
Krummer, G. Monahan, J.
Banno, R. Ruginis, D. Pardal,
B. Makauskas, J. Grosso, E.
Johnson, R. O’Neil, E. Root,
J. O’Hinski, A. J. Happys, R.
Bell, T. Ciarello, J. Slasienski,
J. Szuniell, A. Grzelalski, G.
Ravenscroff, C. Parks, R.
Steward, Laura Soares, V.
Kloc – Bob Lockwood, and
L. Hales, J. Waver.
Honorable Mentions
which automatically bring a
$15 award for the third suggestion submitted, went to J.
Mahoney, F. Dingle, P. Maffsone, H. F. Carroll, M. Hebert,
B. Pranulis, R. Lestage, E.
Anderson, J. Wojczak, F.
Henriques, C. Miele, J. Lawton, F. Phelan, J. Burkus (2),
J. Painter, K. D. Nelson, R.
O’Neil, C. Hiser – D. Cleary,
G. Brzak and L. Reeser.
Every suggestion submitted receives serious consideration by the Suggestion
Awards Committee. Some suggestions require more time to
study than others to evaluate
them, which is oftentimes the
reason for some delay. Suggestions worthy of consideration are any that increase
production, improve quality,
eliminate duplication or waste,
improve packaging, simplify
your work procedure, eliminate paper work, improve
customer service, reduce
costs, improve production,
and better our safety conditions.
Suggestion forms are available around the plant. If unavailable, your Foreman or
Supervisor will be glad to
obtain them for you.
Save Your Blood
For June 12
June 12 has been reserved
for the Memorial Chemical
for blood donations. Because
of the convenience, the
Bloodmobile will be held
at St. Michael’s Parish Hall
in Naugatuck. Our quota is
150 pints.
Employees have donated
generously since the visits
started in 1952 when 180 pints
were given. Since then, we
have averaged about 170 pints
each visit.
Blood is in great demand
today. By contributing, you
can help be sure that blood is
available for you and your
family. Let’s try for the 150
pints again.
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KNOW YOUR BENEFITS: by Marion Hutt
Uniroyal’s Paid Vacation Benefits Comparable To Best In Industry
The entire vacation policy for wage employees is too lengthy to reproduce here but the following are some of the most frequently asked questions:
Q. How much vacation am I entitled to receive?
A. Employees will receive vacations based on their seniority with the Company on Dec. 31 of the prior calendar year, as follows:
2 weeks….4% of earnings
3 weeks……6% of earnings
UNIROYAL, INC. FIRST QUARTER SALES AND NET INCOME SET RECORD HIGH
Uniroyal, Inc., set new records in sales and net income for the first quarter of 1969, George R. Villa, chairman and president, reported at the annual meeting of stockholders.
Sales for the quarter were $368.8 million, an increase of 9.3 percent compared with $337.4 million for the same period last year and the highest for any first quarter in Uniroyal’s history.
Net income was $12.5 million, or 43 cents a share, compared with $12.1 million, or 41 cents a share, for the same period in 1968. This first quarter earnings are equivalent to 44 cents a share on the 28,524,000 shares outstanding at the end of the quarter, compared with 43 cents a share on the 27,806,000 shares outstanding at the end of the first quarter in 1968.
Hold That Tiger; Keep Chained!
Stories of jet-propelled gas cylinders are common, but one that did immense damage in a few seconds that destroys the same thing could happen in our plant – a CO2 cylinder. Any compressed gas in cylinder, even, nitrogen or oxygen, will react in the same way. Many of these cylinders are stored throughout the plant.
It is especially important, in the plant, that all compressed gas cylinders be kept in restraining racks and secured at all times. When not in use, valves and gauges should be removed, and the protective caps put back on. Don’t let a tiger loose in our plant!
What Employees Say About Safety
Q. What do you think of the safety attitude of the people at Uniroyal?
A. Dom George says, “The management is making every effort to improve the attitude of the people. Some still haven’t got the message and don’t seem to care. The best reason in the world to be safe is my family and to make a good living for them.”
A. Roland Bergeron says, “I work in many different areas of the plant and I think the safety attitude of most people in the plant is pretty good. But some people don’t seem to care about safety at all. They don’t use common sense. They don’t wear their safety glasses, hard hats, or proper protective equipment for the job.”
The plant should stress to employees through movies and discussions on what could happen in a chemical plant if employees aren’t safe, especially when handling the different types of chemicals. Some of our people think that a serious accident could happen here and others don’t.
Results Successful . . .
(continued from page 1)
competitive companies for the quality and success. Major competitors in the rubber chemical market are well known large chemical companies like DuPont, R.T. Vanderbilt and American Cyanamid.
Our rubber chemical business started more than fifty years ago as a producer of sulfuric acid for the brass industry in the Waterbury area. Today, Uniroyal Chemical supplies 25% of the total rubber chemicals used in the rubber and plastics industry. Practically every automobile tire manufactured contains rubber chemicals supplied by Uniroyal.
In the past ten years, sales have doubled and depending on the rubber and plastic industry’s growth, is expected to continue at this growth rate.
Interestingly, our rubber chemical technology was the base from which our present agricultural chemical business developed with the introduction of Spartan and Alanap agricultural chemicals.
Practically every tire on the road contains a Naugatuck chemical to protect it against heat build-up and give longer service life.
Spring Tire Sale
Ends On May 29
A Special Spring Employee Tire Sale will run from March 31 through May 29. Employee prices will be substantially below regular prices on tires for cars, small trucks, campers and trailers.
A feature of the sale will be the new Uniroyal Master with different front and rear tires for better steering and traction, a steel reinforced tread and a 40,000 mile guarantee.
Also included in the sale are the Uniroyal “Flat Mat”, “Alley Cat” Tiger Paw, Wide Tiger Paw, Tiger Paw and the Laredo “Rain Tire”.
This will be the only sale on these tires this year. Slips can be obtained from Industrial Relations. Ann McLister, Synthetic plant nurse: Luella Anderson FSSC; and Rosalie Gilbert, EMIC.
SAFETY IS MY RESPONSIBILITY
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Page 4
CHEM-TEXTS Vol. 3 No. 3
Valentine, Amador, Sears, Spina
Retire. Total 138 Years Service.
“That’s The Way
We Always Did It”
Purchase Of 1 Bond And 1 Share
Per Employee, Bond Drive Goal
Have you ever asked why
something was done in a certain way? Often the reply is:
“Because that’s the way we
always did it.”
During May employees
will have the opportunity to
purchase U.S. Savings Bonds
and Freedom Shares conveniently through payroll deductions. The goal for the
purchase of one Bond and
one Share by each of our employees will help to strengthen
our Payroll Savings Plans
for U.S. Bonds, compared to
a Universal average of 52%.
The Payroll Savings Plan
offers an opportunity for
systematic savings to save for
the future or one of the
world’s safest, and most
broadly effective, investment
programs. Through systematic, easy third deductions you
watch your savings grow
automatically.
Purchase of U.S. Savings
Bonds protects against inflation, keeps our economy
stable and our dollar sound.
Savings Bonds involve you
actively in helping the Government finance the national debt.
Bert Scullin makes Val entine, center, and his daughter, Mrs.
Joseph Wolszak, a church at retirement dinner honoring Val and his
36 years service. (Kirkendale photo)
Perhaps the classic example of this kind of senseless and stubborn adherence
to procedure occurred when
Bismarck was ambassador to
the court of Alexander I in
Looking out a window of the
Peterhof Palace, in 1861,
Bismarck noticed a sentry
standing watch in the middle
of the lawn and idly asked the
Czar why the man was there.
The Czar asked an aide-decamp. He didn’t know. The
general commanding the
troops at the palace was summoned. He didn’t know either.
“Then find out why,” commanded
the Czar.
It took three days of intense
investigation. The general
finally the answer.
It seemed that in 1780, on
a fine spring morning, Catherine the Great had looked out
the window and had seen the
first flower thrusting above
the frozen grass. She had ordered a sentry posted there to
prevent anyone from picking
the flower or inadvertently
stepping on it. And eight
years later, the sentry was
still there. No one had ever
asked that simple, one-word
question: “Why?”
Manuel Amador, left, is congratulated by Joe Rzeszutek, President
UPW, Local 213, on his retirement from Reclame Production. Amador
had 41 years service with Uniroyal. (Kirkendale photo)
DOM SPINA RETIRES
Domenic Spina retired
from the Synthetic Chemicals
department after 43 years as
a service with Uniroyal Chemical.
Joe Arbachauskus, UPW president, Local 308, congratulates Norm
Sears, center, on his retirement after 43 years, as Tom Gambardella
watches. Standing are Jack Mockle, left and Bob Curtin.
Safety Glasses Replaced Free, But Not Your Eyesight
Kevin Kelley of the Research and Development department, while performing
development work in Bldg.
61 laboratory, had a close
call when the unexpected
happened.
Kevin was using a regular
gallon jug in a dry ice and
acetone bath to make a 50
percent solution. The temperature differential
caused the jug to burst and
the contents spilled onto the
dry ice and covered the upper
portion of his body and his
eyes. Fortunately, he was
wearing his safety glasses and
prevented serious injury to
his eyesight.
By being safe at work and
wearing the proper protective
equipment for the job, serious
accidents are avoided. Your
unsafe act may not hurt you,
but it could seriously injure
one of your fellow employees.
A Wage employees eligible
for vacation weeks in excess
of 2 weeks, whichever is
greater, may at their request
and with the approval of management, receive vacation pay
instead of time off, up to
maximum of 2 weeks. Election
to receive in lieu of payment
must be made no later than
September 15 of the year in
which taken.
If you have any questions
about your vacation time,
or pay, your foreman or supervisor will be glad to help you.
Or you can consult your
Union Contract booklet for
fuller details.
Know Your Benefits . . .
(cont. from page 3)
4 weeks ….. 8% of earnings
5 weeks ….. 10% of earnings
6 weeks ….. 12% of earnings
Q. Do I receive any vacation
this year if I was hired 2
months ago, e.g. March 1969?
A. No, but you are eligible
for vacation pay on your 1st
anniversary of your employment.
Q. If I am eligible for vacation, do I have to take the
time off?
A. Yes, employees with 2
weeks vacation eligibility must
take the 2 weeks.
Q. Am I allowed to receive
vacation pay in lieu of time
off?
This sale and our economical
investment is exempt from
state and local income taxes.
Payment of federal income
tax on E bond interest may
be deferred until the bonds
are redeemed. Our Savings
Bond program helps you
redeem them until age 65. In
this way, your taxes liability
could be greatly reduced and
your savings maximized.
For only $39 you receive
$50, through the purchase of
a Series E Bond ($18.75 and
redeemable in 7 years) and
a Freedom Share ($20.25 and
redeemable in 4½ years). By
purchase of only one Bond
and one Share, you can start
a good systematic savings plan
for yourself and your family.
Heading this year’s drive
as Chairman will be Bill
Lavelle of the Industrial Relations Department.
SAFETY IS MY RESPONSIBILITY
CHEM-TEXTS
PUBLISHED BY THE INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
UNIROYAL CHEMICAL, NAUGATUCK, CONN. 06770
EDITOR: W.F. Lavelle
U.S Postage
PAID
Naugatuck, Conn. 06770
RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED
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