Industrial Chromium Corporation

From working as a Superintendent in his father's silk mill to nickel plating medical instruments in the cellar of his Northampton Street residence, this is the origin of the story of Fred W. Hampson and the Industrial Chromium Corporation.  

Fred W. Hampson was born in 1902 and was raised in New Bedford, Massachusetts. In 1924, he moved to Holyoke, where he later became the Superintendent of Mt. Tom Silk Company, 642 South Summer Street, which was owned by his father, Joseph W. Hampson. Joseph W. Hampson also later owned the Clinton Silk Mill, known for producing flare parachutes used during World War II.

In the very early 1930s, he entered his desired trade as a grinder of hospital equipment. Several of his clients asked that he plate the instruments. He set up a plating bath in the cellar of his 1877 Northampton Street home and took it upon himself to learn more and experiment with chromium plating. His efforts were successful, and he decided to move forward with the business.

The news of Mr. Hampson's success with chromium plating spread throughout Holyoke. Orders were coming in, and it was time to move on from his cellar to a more industrial setting. He started out on his own in the Mill that housed the Mt. Tom Silk Co. in 1933. The following year, F. W. Hampson, Plater, moved to 54 Canal Street in the Hadley Mills complex.

He collaborated with James Izatt to form the F.W.H. Grinding and Plating Co. The business continued at 54 Canal Street.

On June 22, 1937, the corporation Industrial Chromium Corporation was chartered. "The firm specializes in build-up and salvage work as well as plating designed to increase the corrosion-resistance and water-resistance of metals and jobs that range from tiny phonograph needles to huge shafts and paper mill rolls."

The lack of space was now becoming a problem in the Hadley Mills complex. In June 1939, the company moved to a portion of the former D. Mackintosh & Sons plant at 109 Lyman Street. Its space increased from 1,000 to 6,000 square feet. The company, which employed as many as 20, had 12 employees at the time of its move.

In 1954, the company purchased the Lyman Street Ell portion of the building on its east side. This section offered three floors, each with 7,000 square feet. Industrial Chromium Corporation occupied the building's first two floors at the time of the purchase. The Electric Game Company had purchased the main Mill on the First Level Canal side.

Fred W. Hampson died on May 31, 1964. He was succeeded by his son, Fred J. Hampson. The younger Mr. Hampson was a patron of the arts and performed summer theater. He was an avid financial supporter of Mt. Holyoke College's summer presentations.

Industrial Chromium Corporation served the medical, industrial, plumbing, and electrical trades of Holyoke for 63 years. The company dissolved on December 29, 1999.

Citations:

Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican; publication dates and pages are shown.

Registry of Deeds, Hampden County, Springfield, Massachusetts

Price & Lee, City of Holyoke (Massachusetts) City Directories

Assessors' Office, City of Holyoke, Massachusetts

Massachusetts Secretary of State, Boston, Massachusetts

Hitchcock Press (Part 2- J. Guy Gaulin)

 In 1971, another chapter in the history of the Hitchcock Press opened, which scaled new heights for the printing business. The 50-plus years of ownership under the helm of J. Guy Gaulin were about to begin.

J. Guy Gaulin was born in Holyoke on February 24, 1927. He was raised in Lambton, Quebec, Canada, and returned to Holyoke in 1944. He worked for many years in the printing department of American Pad and Paper Company (AMPAD). In 1965, he was elevated to the foreman of the department.

While at AMPAD, Mr. Gaulin invented the flexographic and gravure inking systems. He was named Craftsman of the Year by the New England District of the International Printing House Craftsmen Association.

In 1972, he and his wife, Geraldine (Norton) Gaulin, purchased the Hitchcock Press from David Kornetsky, who was retiring from the business. At the time, the company employed 6 workers in offset and letterpress.

In February of 1979, Mr. Gaulin was appointed an Action Council Member of the National Federation of Independent Business, a non-profit group representing the needs of small businesses throughout the country. Its mission was to promote free enterprise and give the independent business owner a voice in advancing business regulation.

On May 13, 1982, the Gaulins purchased land on Hanover Street with plans to build a new plant.

An interesting side note involves the sport of table tennis. 20-year-old David Hagar, a graphic artist working at Hitchcock Press, was the 14th-ranked table tennis player in New England in 1984.

Also in 1984, the company moved from 78 Hitchcock Street to a new building at 8 Hanover Street, in the Springdale section.

In 1986, Hitchcock Press was awarded the Benjamin Franklin Award for its outstanding contributions to the printing industry. The company provided summertime job opportunities for students to earn extra money and learn new skills.

Mr. Gaulin advanced the idea of a shared-cost model in which government and employers would each contribute funds to teach future workers technical skills.

In 1992, Mayor William Hamilton named J. Guy Gaulin, along with several others, to the Mayor's Industrial Advisory Committee to provide input and guidance on advancing manufacturing in Holyoke.

In 2004, the then-77-year-old was awarded the first Small Business Champion Award for his efforts to support small businesses. Hitchcock Press had grown from a six-person business to employing twenty, with a tenfold increase in business, with greater increases anticipated.

He continued working into his 90s and was at the forefront of introducing new computer technology into his printing business. The business was noted for the high quality of its Letterpress printing, showcasing Mr. Gaulin's award-winning creative designs. It was described as modern technology meets old-world craftsmanship. His dedication to his craft spanned close to 70 years. 

The business is currently operated by the late Mr. Gaulin's daughter, Deanna Gaulin, who is the President and Treasurer of the corporation.

Citations:

Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican; publication dates and pages are shown.

Registry of Deeds, Hampden County, Springfield, Massachusetts

Price & Lee, City of Holyoke (Massachusetts) City Directories

Assessors' Office, City of Holyoke, Massachusetts

Massachusetts Secretary of State, Boston, Massachusetts

J. Guy Gaulin

8 Hanover Street, Holyoke, Massachusetts

Note: Chicopee, Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce