Adams Plastic div. of Ekco Products Corp.

In the span of its first 10 years, Adams Plastic had grown from its initial nine employees to 130, and its workspace grew from 2,000 square feet to a 125,000 square-foot, four-story building. It had transitioned from a locally owned company to becoming a division of the largest housewares manufacturer in the country.

In 1958, specialized equipment was purchased in Germany to form molded wood that would resist nature's elements. The company employed 130 at the time. 

Also, that year, the Durofol process was introduced at the plant. Julius Brangs, who resided on Fairfield Ave., invented the process at his family's plant in Germany. This process involved using chemicals to add durability to cutlery handles without the expense of costly machinery. It was a method of shaping and molding laminated wood. Two major products made by Adams Plastics using this method were knife handles and trays. The company planned to produce toboggans, other sporting goods, and military and household items. Over $250,000 in equipment was purchased for this process.

The parent firm, Ecko Products, continued its expansion into Europe. The local firm had 150 employees in 1962. Ecko produced record profits in 1965 and merged with American Home Products.

The merger united Ecko, which produced kitchen items, builders' hardware, and aluminum containers, with American Products, a producer of drugs, household items, and some foods. The Adams Plastic plant was operated locally for 8 years and under Ecko for 11 years. 

In 1966, American Products merged with E.J. Brach, the candy company. Ekco-Adams continued to seek employees through the late 1960s. It became increasingly difficult to find and hire sufficient staffing, such as machine operators, to meet the company's growing needs.

Next: The final chapter of the Adams Plastic Company

Citations:

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