Excerpt from Naugatuck Daily News – Monday, September 15, 1947
Industrial Exhibit Supplement

Naugatuck Manufacturing Co. Makes Seamless Copper Floats
C. P. Rodenbach President and Treasurer of Firm Organized in 1894

The Naugatuck Manufacturing Co. was organized in Naugatuck on December 18, 1894, by George A. Lewis, Tracy S. Lewis, H. E. Fowler, Adna D. Warner and Wm. T. Rodenbach. George A. Lewis was the first president, and his son, Tracy S. Lewis was the first secretary and treasurer.

The company started business in January 1895, in the wooden factory building in Millville, owned by Daniel Knapp and Julian W. Farren, and now occupied by the J. M. Russell Manufacturing Co. The plant was operated by water power. The purpose of the company was to develop processes for the working of metals, principally copper electro-plating.

After a few years the company moved to a building on Rubber avenue, on the north side of the street near the building now occupied by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. This building was owned by the G. M. R. Shoe Co. and was opposite its No. 1 plant.

Present Site
In 1902 the company purchased the factory site on North Main St., Union City, where it is now located, from Homer Twitchell.

The present officers of the company are, C. P. Rodenbach, president and treasurer; R. B. Rodenbach, vice president; and I. M. Hotchkiss, secretary.

The principal product of the company is “Naugatuck Seamless” Copper Floats for use in Open Tanks, Steam Traps, Receivers, Pumps, Water Columns, etc. They are made in many different sizes and shapes, from 1 inch to 20 inches in diameter, both round and cylindrical.