About Mr. Gumbinner 1 By Mr. Gumbinner
Robert
Gumbinner:
I
joined Polychrome in February 1946 and worked there for 35 years. I
started as the only chemist. After a few years we hired other
chemists, Bob Teichner, Cort Briggs, Walter Kropf, who worked on
mimeograph inks, and Sandy Marcus. I was the only employee with an
engineering degree until we started to construct the D-line and hired
Stan Mikrut, a mechanical engineer, and Ray Kryloski, a draftsman, to
assist me and do the detail. Later, we hired Dr Huang, a PhD
chemical Engineer, and Ed Lowell, an industrial engineer. In the
early years, I would at times be the plant manager, assistant
treasurer, quality control supervisor as the situation required it.
As the company grew, I became a vice president and finally an
Executive Vice President in charge of research, development,
manufacturing, and engineering; then ultimately Senior Executive Vice
President. In 1959, Mr. Halpern sold me several thousand shares of
Polychrome stock at book value. Later I was granted options and I
acquired more shares.