Victor Insulator company showing good progress

Victor Insulator

Company Showing

Good Progress

$92,000 in Wages Paid Out

In 1932 According to

Plant Officials

VICTOR - Insulators! A word seldom heard outside the electrical industry. Yet without them you, and you, and you, could not have your lights, radio, toaster and all of the other electrical gadgets we have come to accept as commonplace in our daily routine.

It is a recognized fact that the progress of the electrical industry has depended on the ability of the high-tension insulator to meet the increased demand for the higher and higher voltages now being transmitted over the lines of the big steel towers that deliver the vital energy so important to all industry and agriculture.

Porcelain vases of the Ming dynasty are almost priceless today. But few of us realize as we drive along the highways, that those little brown and white things atop the arm of the wood poles carrying the electric wires are better porcelain than any of the ancient and celebrated antique vases or statuettes.

Today's requirements are such as to make it absolutely necessary to have porcelain insulators so pure in quality that the heaviest rain, the coldest freeze and sleet storm, or the hottest weather must not affect them.

Few of us know that the little villages and hamlets, unable to afford their own power plants, have found it possible to acquire street lights, traffic lights, electricity for the home and stores only because the power stations in the big cities and on big rivers are able to transmit high voltage over long distances. This current can be distributed because there are porcelain insulators strong enough to carry the conductors and at the same time insulate the conductor from the earth.

First Made in Victor

The first wet process porcelain insulator was made about 45 years ago in the Village of Victor by Fred M. Locke. Some of the men who worked for him are still in Victor making insulators. Victor is, in effect, the alma mater of the porcelain insulator industry, for it was there that most of the men who later branched out into other insulator companies, acquired their knowledge and training. Today, Victor is still recognized by the trade as the source of the finest electrical porcelain obtainable in this country.

Because the manufacture of porcelain insulators is pre-dominately one of a ceramic nature, the business is still more of an art than a science, or mechanics. The most insignificant detail of manufacture requires skill that comes only with a long experience in handling the materials in the formative stage. The men of Victor and the immediate surrounding countryside have this experience and are most highly skilled in this art.

The story of Victor during the last four decades is inseparable from the story of insulators. Yet, it remained for the depression to bring about what is proving to be one of the most amazing tales of initiative, vision and self-confidence exhibited by a small group of people. Shades of Horatio Alger, Jr. If we were speaking from Hollywood, we would say, "Colossal—Stupendous"!

Plant Abandoned

Early in 1932 the former owners began to shut down the Victor plant and early in 1933 abandoned it, thereby throwing out of work most of the men in Victor. It was a terrible economic blow. The insulator plant had been the mainstay of employment.

As the remainder of 1932 marched across the calendar, time moved slowly, but not as slow as later, because there was something to go on from the savings of the former days. 1933 came and with it the New-Deal, but nothing happened in Victor except that a slower tempo took hold. The former owners had removed from the plant some of the equipment that could be easily sold. This looked bad to the men who were hoping for a reopening. Then came 1934, even slower for many who by then were beginning to live on borrowed money. A few of the more fortunate had found jobs. Others had left the village. Some were now working on the farms. But the majority were up against it, hard. By the time 1935 had slouched into place after pushing wearisome 1934 off the calendar, most of the townspeople had given up all hope of ever seeing smoke rise again from the many kilns that rear their regimented conical heads above the easily sloping roofs of the factory. For "three long years" men had walked a dirge by that plant as they passed along Maple Avenue, looking up at the buildings and remembering the days when over 400 people were employed - but that seemed so long ago. If only there were lights and smoke and the hum of machinery. If only they could work part-time. Just a few days work would help.

Then it happened! Far off in another city two men were released from positions they had held for years. Then, like a flash of electricity with which they were so familiar, indignation flared up within them. After the best years of their life had been given to the success of a company they were out in the cold.

Three weeks from that day these men appeared in Victor, and a town meeting was called. A few days later a new company was in the insulator business. Victor Insulators, Inc.! They had bought the old plant. The townspeople had helped by purchasing some stock. This was in May 1935, now two years ago!

At that time the first factory payroll included but 20 men. The last week in February 1937, approximately $200,000 in wages that will go into circulation in Victor and the surrounding community.

At the annual stockholders meeting in February the 1936 audit was available and showed that the company was in a wonderful financial condition. Reports and surveys available indicated that with more capital the company could do considerably more business.

The directors saw this situation last fall and now the company is offering 6% preferred stock having a par value of $100 per share. This stock has been made available to the employees on a deferred payment basis. The employees are enthusiastically taking advantage of this opportunity to become part owners in their business.

Stock Available

The stock is also available to any outside purchaser in any quantity. The officials of the company have reported that they welcome investigation of the plant, its facilities, and financial condition by any prospective purchaser of this stock.

The board of directors comprise: B. A. Plimpton, president and treasurer; G. W. Price, vice-president; G. H. Schoenthaler, secretary; Kent A. Hawley and Homer E. Snyder, directors.