In Naugatuck Valley

In Connecticut's Naugatuck Valley are many ancient companies. Some have shared in the general decline of New England industries, but the copper and brass manufacturers thrive above all others, produce 70% of U. S. fabricated brass. In 1922 Anaconda Copper Mining Co. reached into this region, bought American Brass Co. Later Kennecott absorbed Chase Brass & Copper Co. Last week Scovill Manufacturing Co., most venerable of all the Valley's brass companies, figured in a deal, but, absorbing instead of being absorbed, continued an expansion policy in buying A. Schrader's Sons, Inc. of Brooklyn.

Less ancient than Scovill, but still old by U. S. standards, is the Schrader concern. In 1844 August Schrader started making diving suits and air pumps, a business that brought him into contact with many of the early rubber experimenters. After making moulds for Dr. Charles Goodyear, Founder Schrader began to manufacture a variety of metal parts for rubber products. When pneumatic tires were made for bicycles he introduced a new valve, now used on 85% of automobile tires. Other Schrader products include metal parts for hot water bottles and footballs, tire pressure gauges, air-hose fittings, valve tools, and the original product, diving suits. The Scovill Co. derived from its purchase a twofold benefit --it secured in Schrader a prosperous subsidiary plus a large user of Schrader metal.

Although Scovill has been growing since James Mitchell Lamson Scovill brought his name to the button-making concern in 1811, its greatest expansion has been in recent years. In 1862 Chauncey P. Goss (of the famed Connecticut & Yale Goss family) entered the company; in 1900 became its president. The Gosses now have superseded the Scovills as principal stock-holders and officials. At present the one Scovill on the Board is outnumbered by Edward O. Goss (President and son of the first Goss), John H. Goss, Chauncey P. Goss Jr. and G. A. Goss as fellow-directors; William M. Goss, Edward W. Goss. Chauncey P. Goss 3rd and John B. Goss in various capacities.

Under Chauncey P. Goss the company entered its most prosperous period, to which the World War brought a climax. Between 1914 and 1919 it manufactured 21 million time fuses, 20 million artillery shell cases, 440 million bullet jackets. In 1923 it purchased two of the biggest U. S. pinmakers, a large manufacturer of plumbers' fixtures and a Wisconsin company making electrical appliances and fractional horsepower motors. In 1925 it took over another manufacturer of plumbing equipment. In 1926 it absorbed a large maker of soda fountain equipment. Between 1908 and 1928 its current assets increased from $3,000,000 to $21,000,000. Although the stock (listed on the New York Curb) is rarely traded in, Scovill is regarded with respect by competitors, with pious awe by Waterbury businessmen.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.