The German company started when Mr. Halpern met Aurich and Feist at Drupa and bought their small operation in Berlin making electrolytic etched plates. Mr. Feist chose Osterode for the plant because it had a large reservoir. Unfortunately he chose a site in a suburb called Freihelt to rent. When the tank operation was installed, we found limited water because the mains were small and corroded. We added tanks to store water at night and weekends. To manage the plant Mr. Halpern interviewed a number of German speaking individuals in Yonkers and hired one as general manager. Later the plant was moved into a furniture sales facility in Osterode. (That's the Osterode factory we know of! KS)
The Berwick site was selected by Tom Heckles who was the manager of the Polychrome operations in Watford England after discussions with the local Berwick authorities. (Tom was born there I believe. KS ) Tom and his wife Shiela later moved to Australia. The chemists, Bob Armstrong among others, were transferred to the Columbus Georgia plant when Berwick was closed.
(Doug Chu found an obituary for Tom Heckels recently in the Berwick Advertiseron 28th October 2010
On 26th October peacefully at home, Thomas (Tom) aged 81 years, beloved husband of Sheila, dearly loved dad of Fiona and William and a much loved grandpa Tom. )