The period following World War II saw an increase in the number of companies forming in Holyoke. Many were small start-ups; some were founded by owners who had been employed by Holyoke companies that were in decline or had closed.
After World War II, the Pal Blade Company (Blog, 10-10-2025) was struggling. The large contracts for military cutlery, including knives and bayonets, were declining, thereby reducing product demand. The company employed many skilled craftspersons in various stages of knife production, and many were being laid off.
Some employees left before the company eventually closed in 1951 to form their own businesses. One example was Edge International Incorporated (Blog, 09-19-2025), which was located on Martin Street. Another was the subject of today's topic, the Holyoke Instrument Company.
In November 1946, four former employees of Pal Blade Company established the Holyoke Instrument Company. The four were Paul Busch, Erich Hussels, Karl Boes, and Joseph Guenster. All four hailed from Solingen, near Düsseldorf, Germany, having arrived in Holyoke at different times. Solingen was a noted center of cutlery manufacturing.
The firm's primary product was cuticle nippers, and it produced 1,200 units per month during its first four months of operation at 586R South Street. The company had contracts to supply Cutex and Peggy Sage companies, and employed 10 additional skilled workers. The company hoped to eventually expand into the manufacture of surgical equipment.
1950 was the last year the company appeared in the Price & Lee City Directories. A review of the four principals in the city directories revealed that either they had moved from the area or were employed elsewhere. Erich Hussels returned to the soon-to-be-closed Pal Blade Company.
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
