Des Plaines Industry in Review, 1952

Des Plaines Industry in Review General Molded Products General Molded Products began operation in Des Plaines in 1940. It was originally located at 1300 Oakwood avenue and in September of 1947 it moved to its present location, pictured above, at 1365 Lee street, just south of Algonquin road. The present industrial site comprises 7 acres of land-of which 30,000 square feet are devoted to the plant and 58,000 square feet is landscaped area. The lawn surrounding the plant is watered by an automatic sprinkler system. More than a thousand trees and shrubs add to the beauty of this modern Des Plaines industry. Pictured above, left to right are Norman Anderson, president of the company, and C. J. Sanders, secretary. Mr. Anderson stated that when the plant first started operation in 1940 it manufactured handles for skillsaws and Thor ironing machines. As the company grew space was rented in the old Post Office building and four other locations in town to house tools and dies. During World War II all productions was for the government and molding department operated 24 hours a day. In September of 1947, after completion of the present building, all services and departments were consolidated and operation began in the new quarters. Anderson said that company production exceeds a millions dollars yearly. The payroll is in excess of a quarter of a million dollars a year with the majority being spent locally. Thanks to company and employee cooperation the plant has employed between 85 and 100 persons continually for the past ten years. It should be added that each employee receives hospitalization insurance and depending on the length of employment, a paid vacation. Harold Rolf is shown removing a plastic washing machine agitator from a press. This particular machine is electronically controlled to insure accuracy of operation. It is one of the largest presses in the area and is capable of molding two complete television cabinets in one operation The engineering department. Pictured on the left, l. to r., are John Terry, chief engineer Elmer Birr and Donald Goll. When this photo was snapped they were checking customer specifications. The company manufactures component parts for customer assemblies. The majority of the parts molded are by compression process, although small part are produced by injection molding. The phenolic and urea type resins are used. Pictured above is a general view of the compression molding process. Inspection-plastic products are practically in a finished state when removed from a mold. Louise Emmerich, on the left, and Catherine Dauven are shown inspecting parts. Only those that pass the rigid inspection are delivered to the customer. The General Molded Products has its own tool room. Practically all tools and dies are fabricated in the plant according to spedification. In case of large dies, outside sources of manufacture are used.