In anticipation of writing this story, I researched Orra L. Stone's 1930s publication, "History of Massachusetts Industries." It provided a fascinating account of a new industry that entered Holyoke's manufacturing sphere with great potential in 1929. However, promise did not meet with results, and here's the complex account of the two decades involving the Zeloid Products Corporation ("Zeloid").
On May 1, 1929, Zeloid Products Corporation acquired two mills, Riverside Numbers 1 and 3, from Choral Products, Inc. Choral was formed when American Writing Paper Company ("AWPCo") reorganized. The purchase included the buildings, equipment, river and canal rights, and train access.
The mills were located along the Third Level Canal, adjacent to the Willimansett Bridge. The site was between the southeast corner of Cabot and South Canal Streets and the bridge. The plants contained 200,000 square feet of space.
The former paper mills were promptly cleared of all existing equipment. Zeloid contracted the Bridgeport Engineering Company to manufacture machinery to produce transparent paper, which Zeloid would produce at its Holyoke plant. The company would have only one U. S. competitor, DuPont Chemical.
One machine could produce 1,000 pounds of paper daily. With additional equipment installed, the company hoped to produce 8-10 tons daily. It was stated that there were sufficient orders to produce 15 tons daily, and the mills could accommodate 15 pieces of equipment necessary to produce that quantity. Each piece of machinery cost $250,000.
The labor force necessary, once the plant was fully equipped, was anticipated at 400, with 75% being unskilled labor.
From the History of Massachusetts Industries, "Zeloid is used extensively for the manufacture of sealed wrappers for candy, bakery products, dried fruits, nuts, perfumery, soap, tobacco, wearing apparel, and many lines of merchandise." The paper made by the Hetzel Process, as it was named, was strong, clear and moisture- and grease-proof.
Zeloid's management hierarchy included Dr. Charles Hetzel, who was awarded four patents for the chemical and manufacturing process to produce the transparent paper. The Treasurer was William J. Norton, also the Treasurer of AWPCo.; the Vice-President was Frederick T. Burkhardt. Henry H. Peck was in charge of sales.
Dr. Hetzel was born in Swabia, Germany, the son of a paper manufacturer. He gained experience in the paper industry, working in Dundee, Scotland for 5 years and in this country for 20 years.
Most transparent paper was manufactured in Europe, so Zeloid hoped to capture the growing demand in the U.S. market with local production. The company stood to benefit from a protective tariff placed on imports in July 1929. At the time, company officials indicated that contractors were busily preparing the factory for production.
The chronicle of Zeloid Products continued in Part 2.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican; publication dates and pages are shown.
History of Massachusetts Industries, Holyoke, Orra Stone, Chapter XXVII, 1930
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