UNIROYAL CHEM-TEXTS
Vol. 7, 1973 PUBLISHED FOR THE PEOPLE OF UNIROYAL CHEMICAL No. 1
Chemical AR Approved
$375,510 was recently approved to expand the production facilities of Aminox and Betanox in Bldg. 79. The two, old-line amine antioxidants are widely used in heavy duty rubber compounds where heat resistance is required.
A growing use for the chemicals in the stabilization of Nylon 6 in tire cord is one of the major reasons for approval of the request to improve production facilities.
Reduces Dust, Fumes; Makes Work Safer
A new continuous belt flaker (known as a Sandvik Belt Flaker) will be installed to eliminate the panning operation. The equipment will greatly reduce the amount of material (Cont’d on page 3)
$5096 Paid For Ideas
by Jerry Tortorelli
$5096 was paid out to employees in 1972 in awards for their ideas on improvements in various phases of the plant’s operations. Their recommendations resulted in savings of $17,699.
During the year 318 Ideas were submitted and processed, of which 118 were approved for cash payments. 79 employees received Letters of Commendation. Participation in the plantwide plan which is open to all employees increased by 130 over 1971.
$360 Highest Single Award
The highest single award for the year, $360, was made to Natale Vescera and William Balchunas, of the Materials department.
$475, the largest total amount, was awarded to the (Cont’d on page 2)
1972 Safety Improves
But Still Short Of Plant Goal For Year
The plant’s safety record showed a reduction during 1972 over 1971 especially in Lost Time Accidents experiencing 11 compared to 20 for the prior year.
In 1972 there were 62 Serious Injuries vs 63 for 1971, a small drop in an area that is portentous of future occurrences.
Although a total of 73 injuries to employees in 12 months — an average of 6 per month — is not a real significant improvement, it is an encouraging sign, since it was one of the better records for the plant since 1966 — except for the year 1970 when it had a total of 72 injuries.
Frequency, Per 1,000,000 Manhours Decreased
For every 1,000,000 manhours worked — approximately 4 months — 21.3 employees incurred an injury compared to 25.3 in 1971. This was a 15% improvement over 1971 but did not come close to the frequency reduction of 12.0 and 9.0 which were set as the goals for the Safety Incentive Award program.
Inattention Major Cause of Accidents
Ironically people were the major cause of accidents with inattention the primary factor underlying them. For example many of the accidents were fractures caused by hammer blows; fingers crushed by drums; burns from hot material; and falls.
Few accidents were the result of defective equipment, mechanical failures, or hazardous work conditions.
Materials Department Had Best Record
Members of the Materials department had the best safety record for 1972 with no Lost Time Accidents. The department had 3 Serious Injuries compared to 8 in 1971, a reduction of over 50% in frequency.
Synthetic Production also worked the entire year without a Lost Time Accident but its Serious Injuries jumped from 7 to 8.
By the nature of its work the Mechanical department is more exposed to hazards than other departments but the Chemical Mechanical group reduced both Lost Time Accidents and Serious Injuries for the year.
Injuries In R&D Increase 100%
Serious Injuries in the Research and Development department increased from 4 in
(Cont’d on page 3)
Quarterly Dividend Declared
The board of directors of Uniroyal, Inc. declared a quarterly dividend of 17-1/2 cents a share on the company’s common stock payable March 24 to stockholders of record February 26.
The directors also declared two dividends of $2 each on the company’s preferred stock, one to be paid March 24 to stockholders of record February 26 and the other payable June 25 to stockholders of record May 21.
In 1972 Uniroyal paid a total dividend of 70 cents on the common stock and a total of $8 dollars on the preferred stock.
The current price of the common stock ranges in the area of 13-5/8 a share.
JA Sets Up Juniroyal Company
[PHOTOGRAPH OF GROUP]
Officers of Juniroyal, Inc. hold a public offering of their stock in the office of Factory Manager James Cronin. From left are Joseph LaRose, President; Dianne Holmes, Vice President of Sales; Paul Hammer, Treasurer; Randolph Porter, Advisor, James Cronin; Charles Roland, URW Local 308 President; Elaine Bellemare, Vice President of Personnel; Michael True and Thomas Reynolds. Absent at time of photo were Joseph Rzeszutek, URW Local 218 President, and Cheryl McMahon, Advisor.
by Randy Porter
Juniroyal, Inc., the name of the new Junior Achievement company sponsored by Uniroyal Chemical started the year with a sellout of its first offer of stock.
Last year’s company, Pingyanco, returned a 10% profit to stockholders who invested their money in the firm of young Naugatuck High School students.
Goal To Top 10%
The goal of Juniroyal is to top the 10% profit margin and according to Joseph LaRose, president of the company, “the unique product line we manufacture, will help us attain it.” The company which meets Mondays in Bldg. 1 will produce decoupages, decorative candles, and ornamental trays.
Purpose of JA
The basic purpose of the JA (Cont’d on page 6)
Plant Receives UG Award
[PHOTOGRAPH OF TWO MEN WITH PLAQUE]
Jim Cronin, Factory Manager, left, presents Lou Coscia Chairman for the United Givers, a plaque awarded to Uniroyal Chemical for topping its goal with $22,300 in contributions, almost half of the Industrial Division’s total.