In a preceding blog about Holyoke Fabrics Inc., it was revealed that the company also produced interlinings for clothing. In February 1951, Holyoke Fabrics Inc. sold its interlining division to a newly formed corporation named Holyoke Textile Manufacturing Company, the subject of today's story.
The new firm was owned by the four Scherr brothers, who owned Scherr Brothers Company, a well-known seller in the textile industry. All the brothers were planning to participate in the newly formed entry into Holyoke's manufacturing base. Holyoke Textiles would take over the entire Shed D of the former Farr Alpac Company on Bigelow Street. The company had 65,000 square feet of space available for its use. Two months later, Holyoke Fabrics Inc. vacated and relocated to Chicopee.
Holyoke Textiles had an excellent business start. In 1952, the company deferred an annual summer shutdown. Vacations were staggered to keep the plant open to accommodate production demands. The company employed about 120 workers at the time in the manufacture of necktie linings.
Increasing foreign competition was taking its toll on domestic textile concerns. The Holyoke Central Labor Union represented about 5,000 members in the textile trades at 8 locals. In 1956, it adopted the slogan, "Buy United States-made products; by doing so, you will protect U.S.A. workers and their jobs."
In April 1956, workers were granted a pay increase to offset the 1954 pay cut and provide an additional raise. It was too little, too late, as in October of that year, plant officials announced the plant would close at the end of the year. No reason was provided for the action, which impacted 165 workers. The plant was not relocating; it planned to liquidate all its assets and go out of business.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; publication dates and pages are shown.
Ancestry.com (paid subscription): Price & Lee Holyoke, Massachusetts, City Directories
