The history of Holyoke industry included a mix of large corporations, including many paper mills, wovens, silk, and machine manufacturing companies, as well as numerous smaller companies. At times, the knowledge and experience an employee gained at larger factories spurred the worker to enter self-employment. This was the case, and the story to be told about the Holyoke Production Machine Company.
The year was 1942, and in May, 4 experienced machinists partnered as the Holyoke Machine Production Company. The incorporators included Casmier Filipiak, Edward Filipiak, Albert Haurez and Emil Haesaert, all of Holyoke.
When the business started, Casmier J. Filipiak, who resided at 139 Chestnut Street, was an employee of the Holyoke Wire & Cable Corporation, where he continued until February 1945. Concurrently, he worked part-time for Holyoke Production Machine, designing machinery and performing office duties. He assumed a full-time position after leaving Holyoke Wire & Cable.
Emil Haesaert resided at 161 Walnut Street. For 18 years, he was a machinist for the Boston & Albany railroad, working out of its West Springfield facility. When the repair shop relocated to Albany, New York, he left the company to start his own venture, the Holyoke Production Machine Company.
Albert Hourez, who was born in Roubaix, France, and resided at 270 Ingleside Street, was the plant foreman.
The company was located in 4,000 square feet of space at 549 Main Street. It was equipped with modern machinery, including turret lathes, production lathes, radio drills, grinders, and other industry essentials. The plant also had electric and gas welding equipment.
Holyoke Production Machine designed and manufactured labor-saving machinery and equipment for plants located throughout New England and abroad. Some of the machinery was a lengthy 35 feet. The company also performed maintenance work on machinery.
Not all manufactured equipment was large. The company also produced jigs, fixtures, dies and small tools. The company was also a subcontractor for the army, navy and signal corps. The company designed and produced a special wrench for work on torpedoes.
During World War II, some equipment was exported abroad to British industrial factories. About half of the company’s products were sold to Holyoke plants.
In July 1944, the business received its corporate charter. Mr. Haesaert was named president, and Mr. Filipiak was named its Treasurer.
It was around 1950 that Mr. Haesaert left the company to take employment elsewhere. Mr. Hourez, the shop foreman, died in 1953. The company continued to operate until about 1962, when the owner, Casmier Filipiak, retired.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; publication dates and pages are shown.
Ancestry.com (paid subscription): Price & Lee, Holyoke, Massachusetts, City Directories
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