The 1970s saw a decline in the role and status of the Adams Plastic Company in Holyoke. The inability to attract a labor force, overseas production, the migration of businesses out of Holyoke, and the retirement of the company's long-time Vice-President, George Alderman, were contributory factors in a declining time.
George Alderman had extensive experience working in various Holyoke manufacturing plants. Before serving in the military during World War II, he worked at American Electric Cable on Appleton Street and at the Electric Game Co., owned by George Prentiss. In 1940, he worked at Connecticut Valley Plastics on Sargeant Street.
After his discharge from service in 1946, he returned to Holyoke to work at the start-up Adams Plastic Company. It was under his guidance and direction that the company grew and the product line expanded beyond kitchen knife handles. The company manufactured hardware, jewelry, textiles, and architectural items. It was the exclusive supplier for the interior trim of Lincoln Continentals. He orchestrated the move from the Beebe-Holbrook complex to the former Merrick Thread, later known as the American Thread factory building at 191 Appleton Street. His contributions to forming the 20th-century mosaic of Holyoke's industrial base were noteworthy.
In 1984, American Home Products sold off its housewares division, which reformed under the Ekco Housewares Inc. In 1985, the Holyoke plant was undergoing improvements. It had returned to making knife handles, which were shipped elsewhere for the next step in the manufacturing process. Once the plant was retooled, it would produce the handle, add the blade, and ship the finished product to its ultimate destination.
The company anticipated adding 25 workers to its depleted workforce of 50 employees.
In 1985, a factory-seconds store opened in the mill. Cookware and cutlery were the featured items available for sale to the public at drastically reduced prices.
In 1986, an accident occurred where a headgate was opened too much, creating a surge of 1.4 million cubic feet of water through the canal system. This caused significant damage to several factories. Adams Plastic had over $100,000 in damaged or destroyed property, including a newly installed elevator. Holyoke Water Power Co. would reimburse the impacted businesses for their losses.
More bad news was on the way during 1986. Ekco Housewares was abandoning production and focusing on marketing and sales. Ekco offered the business for sale, and four of Adams' leadership group bought the company, which was renamed Adams Pakkawood Corp. 50 jobs were saved, and employees agreed to cuts in wages and benefits to keep the new business afloat. It was through the assistance and guidance of Robert Bateman, the director of the Office of Industrial Affairs, that the purchase was consummated effective July 1, 1986.
The new company would focus its production on cookware handles, dishwasher-proof items, boating, and jewelry with an eye toward expanding its line in the future.
The new corporation operated for about five years and closed in early April 1991. Sixty-five employees lost their jobs. On May 28 & 29, 1991, a liquidation sale of factory equipment took place. This marked the end of forty-five years of innovation, production, and gainful employment at Adams Plastics.
On October 28, 1993, a massive fire consumed the massive 1881 structure.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations include Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram, and Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican, with publication dates and pages shown.
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