Two "Polychromers" Reunite 50 Years Later.... a letter from Don Leo

In my first job in Corporate America I started as a Lab Technician working for Ken-Ici Shimazu, Director of R&D, Polychrome Corp, Yonkers NY in the Special Products Laboratory. During that two year period I learned how to formulate new products, scale them up in the pilot plant and conduct plant trials at co-manufacturers. The valuable experience I gained in those two years provided me with the skills and knowledge to further advance my career as a Food Chemist at General Foods and PepsiCo over the next ten years. I leveraged that technical expertise to advance my career for next thirty years in Sales and Marketing at Givaudan Flavors and Fragrances. In addition to providing the valuable skills I needed to succeed in business my colleagues at Polychrome became my friends , mentors and team mates. The collegial atmosphere and the diverse backgrounds of my colleagues influenced me in positive ways that stayed with me my entire career. Ken was a great boss and his mentorship means so much to me to this very day. Ken and I had a fantastic lunch ( sushi of course) and talked at length and shared memories about the "good old days" as well as both of our families. Ken invited me into his home where we sipped green tea and sampled Japanese sweets and treats. It was a wonderful reunion in every aspect. Fifty years is a long time for sure but being with Ken that day felt like it was yesterday. I am so thankful for my two years at Polychrome. It laid the foundation for a long happy career in chemistry and business.... Donald Leo Laboratory Technician Special Projects Lab Polychrome Corp Photo: Ken and Don conducting a Chrome Guide plant trial in Millerton NY Spring 1974

Berwick photos from Mr. Kawaguchi

Mr Takeshi Kawaguchi, a DIC engineer who were part of the engineer group who stationed in US had some photo collection from his visit to Berwick facility on July 21, 1989.

1978 Polychrome International Today Newsletter

Doug Chu, Simon's son was helping his dad to "declutter" his papers and found this a 1978 Polychrome Int. Today Newsletter. It has a lot of interesting cobtents and brings back memories. It is in a large format and may not be suitable for reading on phone but hope many readers have an access to a computer with a large screen to go through all the contents and pictures. By the way Simon is going to be 92 this coming Feb. and doing great according to Doug. Thanks Doug for your contribution.

100 years of service to Polychrome

Simon Chu,JenChi Huang, JB Huang and I met again for a Japanese lunch at Sazan restaurant in Ardsley NY, our usual hideout. These four represents approximately 100 years of combined service to Polychrome Corporation. As usual it was good to seeing each other and catching up on the recent news such as of grandchildren ( and great grand children in case of Simon), health reports such as aches and pains and a bit of Polychrome related news such as three production plants, in Columbus, Katzenstein and Gunma still operating while Agfa and Fuji cut back their non-domestic production sites.

Polyline May 1973

Polyline May 1973 issue was found inside a book totally unrelated Polychrome. So it is now uploaded for your review. I am hopeful that in case you find something interesting for this archive you will consider sending me the content rather than throwing it away as old junk!

DIC engineer Mr. Kawaguchi accompanied Mr. Nonaka (then in charge of graphic arts div. at DIC), Dr. Oe (R&D director then, later became President of DIC) to tour US,German and English plants. There they met members of Polychrome, Bittner, Kaps, Sens and Hitomi of DIC who was then stationed in Katzenstein. The photo is the Katzenstein brochure handed out during their visit.

Polychrome legacy continues

Those ex Polychromers who did not follow the world of presensitized plates past Kodak Polychrome Grahics days may be interested in learning how our past efforts are still influencing the industry today. Today the three former Polychrome production sites in the USA, Europe and Japan are all in production and the China 2FF plants we licensed our technology in 80' and are active now under the Lucky Huaguang Graphicsname boast production capacity of 175msqm in their web site. (http://hg.luckyfilm.com/en/Page/index.html?cate=330). On the other hand once mighty Agfa ceased production in Branchberg NJ, Leeds UK and recently announced the sale of entire Agfa Graphics to a private investment company Aurelius group (https://www.agfa.com/corporate/news-item/agfa-gevaert-group-completes-the-sale-of-its-offset-solutions-division-to-aurelius-group/). Announcements were made on the closure of Fuji plant in Europe and the USA (https://www.printcan.com/news/2022/20221130984.shtml, https://petapixel.com/2021/07/01/fujifilm-to-close-four-u-s-photo-equipment-plants-and-cut-400-jobs/#:~:text=Fujifilm%20has%20announced%20that%20it,by%20the%20fall%20of%202022.) making the Columbus factory of our Polychrome (now Kodak) to be the only plate factory in the US. This all happened within the quarter century since the name Polychrome disappeared from the American Stock Exchange, it will be interesting to see what change will come during next quarter century! (My goal of living till age 100 years with good health is not sufficient to see this change!)

More pictures of Mr. and Mrs. Halpern

Some more pictures of Mr. and Mrs. Halpern during their days in Tarrytown, New York. Erica Bonime sent me these pictures saying that these were taken at their home but she is not sure when the time was.

Thank you Erica for your contribution.

Mr. and Mrs. Halpern photo

Erica Bonime, niece of Mr. Halpern, found a couple of photos at her mother's hose in AZ recently.

Erica's mother Mrs. Arlene Bonime in red dress is with Mr. Halpern

Mrs.Halpern is with Dr. Stanley Bonime, Erica's father. Thank you Erica for your contribution. You readers may come across photos, notes, etc relating to Polychrome, please forward them to me for uploading here. Thanks Ken

Season's Greeting !

Here is the greeting to all from Hal Pilcher. I join him in wsihing all a great health and happiness. Ken A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW 2023 in health for you all and piece on earth 🎄 🎅👩‍🚀🎅👩‍🚀🎅👩‍🚀 🎄

Halloween greetings from Hal Pilcher

Hal's Halloween greetings arrived today. Happy 86th to you Hal. When many people in this days are thinking about Martin Luther, we as people of the former printing Industry shell also think about Johannes Gensfleisch Gutenberg who made it his flexible letters possible to print the ideas of Martin Luther in great numbers, as well as other ideas of freedom. Benjamin Franklin, one of the founder of the United States of America, a Printer and, and, and. and also I idol of me. That is why I had to see the Bell of Freedom in Philadelphia. Alois Senefelder, Letterpress Printer, Founder of the Lithographic process to print on Stone. All this procedures made it possible, to have that high standard and level of culture and knowledge. Early last century the first tries to print from metal plates, grained with marbles and coated by hand in a rotation metal basket, this was the base of our big business. when Offset becomes more popular as Letterpress and Gravure Printing. When others thinking about Halloween, I do think about our Heritage. When our last ideas been with "C to P " Computer to Plate... I do hope the IT Industry have better ideas for the human race as "K to R" key to rocket and drones. Sorry for my late response, yesterday I celebrated in silence my 86th Birthday, some of my toe in bandage service as being on diabetes, since I hit all highways and clouds to help others when thay are in troubles to print properly. I do think more often how to get my ash into the Mississippi at the hight's of St. Louis, the Arch should be my last "view" Does anyone is willing to spread my ash from a paddle wheeler in direction Arch into the Mississippi ? I saved one of my toe from amputate it. Self discipline can do a lot, now this toe smiles at me and look better as before. Not all tribes of covid19 can be protected with 4 shot or more, it will have to be distance of two meters and mask on all places also for kids. eccept at home, wish you all the best and stay in good health. Always Hal P to C = PC Bless you all

Yonkers factory July 1989 pictures

DIC engineer Mr.Takeshi Kawaguchi found photo records of his visit to Yonkers factory in 1989. Pictured together are Dr. Huang and Mr. Tanimoto of DIC.

Katzenstein factory in 1989

More photos from Mr. Kawaguchi. This time the Katzenstein factory and its surroundings. Mr. Kawaguchi visited the factory in 1989 ahead of Gunma plant startup and was very impressed by the cleam and neat new factory, he writes. Thank you again Mr. Kawaguchi

More Yonkers photos from Mr. Kawaguchi

Mr. Kawaguchi sent in more pictures he took in 1988-89 while he was readying to begin planning of th Gunma plant. Those who are familiar with Yonker HQ may recognize the cafeteria area, outside views and some well used machinaries. You instantly recognize why we were looking around to locae a new modern factory. You of course know that we later located and constructed the Columbus, Georgia, factory later on and aboandoned the Yonker facilities altogether. Thank you again Mr. Kawaguchi!