William Shaine's passing, as the president and treasurer of the Springfield Photo Mount Company, led to a leadership change. His daughter, Jennie Shaine Dorenbaum, was elected the corporation's new president in October 1951. Although her residence was in Rhode Island, where her husband was a practicing physician, she intended to be at the plant two to three days weekly.
Lloyd C. Clark, who was with the company for several years and, before that, employed by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company and executive director of the Springfield Housing Authority, was elected treasurer. Oscar W. Jolly, who has worked for the company since its inception in 1919 and most recently served as Plant Superintendent, was elected vice president and a member of the Board of Directors.
Annual sales had grown to $2 million in 1951.
The company sponsored teams in men's basketball and women's bowling leagues.
In 1959, the company received a permit to build a two-story addition for $38,000, part of which was to be for a larger shipping room and a larger shipping platform.
In 1961, the company obtained another permit to build an employee cafeteria for $21,000. This was a 35-by-65-foot addition built over the new plant's shipping area. Daniel O'Connell's Sons, Inc. was awarded the contract, and the cafeteria seating 150 was completed in November 1961.
Employment fluctuated, and in 1966, 230 workers were employed at the plant.
In 1967, the company purchased a building and land on the south side of Cabot Street, adjacent to the Willimansett Bridge. The 40,000 square-foot space would be used for production and warehousing.
The land was once owned by American Writing Paper andZeloid Corporation. The Holyoke Wholesale Grocery acquired the property from the city in 1952, and Daniel O'Connell's Sons, Inc. constructed the building for the grocer. In 1962, M & I Corporation, whose principal owner was Frank Cataldo of Food Marts, Inc., purchased the property for warehousing.
In 1971, Oscar Jolly, the company's vice president and a long-time employee for over 50 years, retired. In 1972, the treasurer Lloyd C. Clark retired. He was instrumental in establishing a sales office and warehouse in Los Angeles.
Another major acquisition by the company occurred in 1974. Springfield Photo Mount purchased the neighboring former Marvellum Paper Company building, located at the southwest corner of Canal and Appleton streets. Springfield Photo Mount would take occupancy on January 1, 1975. The three-story building would be used for production and storage. The 60-year-old building was purchased from the Ludlow Corporation, which had previously acquired Marvellum.
There's more history to be told about Springfield Photo Mount Company in the remaining two chapters.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; publication dates and pages are shown.
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