The demise of the Germania Woolen Mills gave rise to a reorganized venture named the Livingston Worsted Mills. The new business remained in the Stursberg family, operated by Herman Stursberg's grandsons. Julius H. and Laird Stursberg, along with their uncle Herbert Stursberg.
The Stursbergs were at the forefront with technological advances in industrial machinery. New Crompton-Knowles high-speed looms were installed in April 1940.
The company also installed a grease extractor manufactured by the American Chemical Paint Co. This machine would preserve the lanolin extracted from the raw wool, which would be sold to the chemical industry for producing ointments and cold creams. In the past, the unseparated lanolin and water were dumped as pollutants into the river. The second benefit was that the water, now free of lanolin, could be reused in the scourging machines, saving on water usage.
The World War II years brought an abundance of business to the mill. The company was awarded numerous contracts to produce army cloth for uniforms. In 1941, 20% of its business was for national defense orders. It would need more storage space. There was new equipment and 967 employees.
In February 1941, Julius H Stursberg, the company President, decided to add a new weave shop. The one-story mill would be 45 feet along the north side of South Street and 94 feet deep. It would be situated to the west of the Cornwall Mills. Casper Ranger would be the contractor. This would be the first textile building built in Holyoke in the last eighteen years. Twenty new Crompton-Knowles looms were ordered for the new mill building. It was anticipated that the building would be completed in six weeks, dependent on the weather.
The factory was ready on March 6, 1941, which was about half the construction time anticipated. Casper Ranger had added crews to expedite the project. Also, at this time, the Livingston leased the Farr Alpaca Auditorium for additional storage.
In April 1941, the company passed the 1,000 mark in the number of employees. The company continued to secure government contracts for supplying military cloth.
In June 1941, the company purchased the Royal Worsted Mills in Lowell, MA. The company had 100 employees and would limit production to yarn. The corporate officers of the newly formed Royal Spinning Mills, Inc., which would have its headquarters in Holyoke, included:
Julie Louise Stursberg, Vice President (Westport, CT resident and cousin of Julius and Laird Stursberg)
Laird Stursburg, Treasurer
Stafford P. Gill, Clerk/Secretary (Superintendent of the Livingston Worsted Mills)
The purchase of the Lowell business meant a further expansion of production in Holyoke. Four large twisters and several winders were removed from the Lowell mill and moved to Holyoke for immediate installation. The Lowell plant, which had operated sporadically, would operate two shifts with 100 employees.
Lack of production space was an issue in Holyoke. When the company purchased four new looms in 1941, there was no room to install the units. Four older looms were removed before the new looms could be placed.
Late in 1941, two and one-half trainloads of a new fluorescent lighting system were delivered. Also, the company was awarded a $600,000 contract to produce 200,000 of dark khaki serge. The manufacturing could not start for six months due to other military contracts. Military orders were approaching 50% of total orders in 1942, up from 30% in 1941. As additional orders were received, defense orders approached 90% of total production in 1942. Over fifteen significant orders had been received by April 1942.
At the request of the F.B.I. and the Army, Livingston requested that the city close off Race Street south of the rail tracks for security purposes. In 1942, a fence was erected between the plant and the tracks, and also along the east side of the building. The entire property was now enclosed with fencing. The city was informed that a company guard was now permanently stationed at the Race/Berkshire entry gate. All other access points were closed off.
On April 10, 1943, 34-year-old Laird Stursberg died unexpectedly. He had been confined to Massachusetts General Hospital in poor health on several occasions in the year preceding his death.
The company, in collaboration with the Y.W.C.A., established a physical fitness program for its employees. Calesthetics, swimming, and inter-departmental softball would be some of the featured activities.
In addition to the shared premiums for life, health, and accident insurance, the company offered at no cost to the employees a $500 accidental death and dismemberment policy in memory of Laird Stursberg.
In 1944, war contracts consumed 100% of production. The company was also producing cotton items and shirting. Domestic production orders were not taken or placed on hold. This was by order of the War Production Department. In July 1945, the freeze was partially lifted, enabling up to 35% of the work to be dedicated to civilian consumption. On August 18, 1945, the freeze was totally lifted.
One month after the freeze was lifted, the company announced it would enter the women's wear market for the first time in its long history. Part of the impetus was using the stock of leftover shirting. The material would be dyed in bright colors to enhance marketability.
By the end of 1945, the company's payroll included 750 workers.
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