UNIROYAL
Merry Christmas – Happy New Year
CHEM-TEXTS
Vol. 9, 1975 | PUBLISHED FOR THE PEOPLE OF UNIROYAL CHEMICAL | No. 6
2,000,000 Manhours Achieved Without A Lost Time Accident
[IMAGE: Group photo of men holding a sign displaying “2000000”]
The Factory Manager’s Staff Safety Committee holds the 2,000,000 manhours sign at the monthly safety meeting. From left are R. Shortt, Safety Manager; A. Aronson, Engineering Superintendent; E. Johnson, Chemical Production Superintendent; F. Wintsch, Industrial Relations Manager; J. Honytski, Materials Superintendent; H. Scullin, Reclaim Superintendent; J. Cronin, Factory Manager; S. Semonian, Manager, Engineering Development; L. Borg, Manager, Research Administration and Services; and R. VanAllen, Purchasing Agent.
Best Safety Performance Since 1961
On Friday, November 21, the two million manhour goal without a lost time accident was achieved. This is the best safety performance at the Naugatuck location since 1961 when the 3,000,000 manhour mark was reached. The record started on July 17 and took longer to achieve because of vacations and layoffs.
The record was almost marred at the last minute when a flaker in Bldg. 17 fell and narrowly missed hitting an employee. The injury would have been a lost time accident and a most serious one.
Group Safety Important
Although safety is a personal responsibility, much of this year’s performance is attributable to the group safety program, people working together with a concern for each other.
Drop in Injuries
The new attitude of working safe has created a “good feeling” about working in the plant. It has helped cut down the number of injuries from a high of 105 in 1966 to 29 in 1975.
In 1971 the hospital and medical costs amounted to $231,567;
continued on page 3
Fish Return to River
[IMAGE: River scene showing water and shoreline]
A marked environmental improvement is evident in the waters of the Naugatuck River.
The grass is greener; the river is cleaner; and fish have been seen in the Naugatuck River, according to reliable sources. A marked environmental improvement is evident in the quality and color of the water and the banks of the river along Route 8 north and south.
Much of this is attributable to the plant’s environmental program, particularly the liquid waste pretreatment plant in the south yard.
Over $7,000,000 has been spent or committed for pollution abatement, with another $1,500,000 for the new sewer system.
Agricultural Chemicals Markets Grow Overseas
As a result of an active research program in the 1960’s by the Naugatuck Chemical and Guelph, Ontario, Research & Development groups, new and unique chemicals were discovered for agriculture.
They are now known around the world as OMITE®, ALAR®, VITAVAX®, PLANTVAX®, DYANAP® and ROYAL MH-30®.
Sent Overseas for Testing
At the time of their field trials for use in the USA and Canada, the chemicals were also sent overseas to Universities, Experiment Stations, and foreign companies involved in the testing of agricultural chemicals.
A great amount of interest developed in them and in the fall of 1970 the Chemical division created an Overseas Agricultural Chemicals Marketing Organization with headquarters at the EMIC Building, with Dr. Bogislav Von Schmeling as Marketing Manager.
Regional Offices Set Up
Field development and sales offices for the overseas markets were regionalized and are now headed by Marketing Managers with offices in London, U.K., Singapore, and Sao Paulo, Brazil.
[IMAGE: Man pointing at world map]
Dr. Bogislav Von Schmeling, Overseas Marketing Manager, points to growing international markets for agricultural chemicals. Omite from Bldg. 100 is exported to South America.
The Chemicals are now sold in 50 foreign countries through 76 local distributors; with the most important markets in France, Iran, Italy, Brazil, and Argentina, in order of sales dollars.
Grain Markets
The Vitavax® and Plantvax® systemic fungicides amount to 60% of the overseas sales. Both products are used on cereal grain crops to prevent and cure dis-
continued on page 4
