W. J. Megin, Inc.
Excerpt from Naugatuck Daily News – Monday, September 15, 1947
Industrial Exhibit Supplement
Wide Construction Range
Amazing Megin Record
William J. Noble, Jr., Heads Firm of 275 Employees Handling $3,000,000 Construction Annually.
About forty years ago, W. J. Megin, Inc., was founded by the late Wilfred J. Megin, and incorporated on February 24, 1930. At that time, William J. Noble, Jr., who had been associated with the company for 18 years, was elected Secretary and Director.
In the early days of the Company, a splendid reputation was established in the field of residential building, concentrating on smaller homes at first, and later constructing some of the finest residences in this vicinity.
First Factory for Peter Paul, Inc.
Factory maintenance work was gradually added to its scope, and the first new factory was built by the Company in 1922 for Peter Paul, Inc. All subsequent additions to this plant have been constructed by the Megin Company.
The boiler house for the Naugatuck Chemical Company was one of the early big jobs, and is considered one of the best and most modern boiler houses in this section of New England.
On July 17, 1942, the business was purchased by William J. Noble, Jr. and his associates, and then came the largest contract of all—construction of the Synthetic Rubber Plant for the United States Rubber Company, acting for and in behalf of the United States Government. Salem Playhouse, completed in the Spring of 1945 was another accomplishment. Since 1942, the variety of work undertaken is amazing. It includes this wide range of construction; factories, office buildings, churches, theaters, banks, schools, homes, remodeling, and all kinds of maintenance work.
The efforts of the Company were sought by many industrial plants throughout the Naugatuck Valley engaged in the manufacture of critical material during World War II. This work often involved moving machinery, changing foundations, and resetting machinery of various types, and all had to be finished in a short period of time—sometimes a matter of hours.
Housing Project
In view of the critical housing shortage, the Company has undertaken a large housing project. The Glendale Manor development on New Haven Road was started in May, 1946, and 40 homes are now occupied. Another 20 homes have been completed in other parts of the borough and in Waterbury. Dalton Park in Glendale Manor was donated by W. J. Megin, Inc., for recreational purposes.
Recent Factory Construction
Recent new factory construction includes—
Four manufacturing plants for Naugatuck Chemical Co.; Connecticut Mfg. Co., Waterbury; Glass Mfg. Co., Inc., Waterbury; Mica Plastic Company, Naugatuck; Doorwell Company, Naugatuck.
Recently completed additions include: Naugatuck Glass Co., Ansonia Electrical Co., Hemingway Corporation, Waterbury, S. Curtis & Sons, Sandy Hook.
Two very modern school buildings are now under construction; one in Cheshire, and the other in Woodbury.
Expert cabinet work and fine furniture are turned out by a well-equipped Mill Department, and a retail lumber yard is also maintained.
The number of employees has increased from the original 12 to 275 at this time. The value of annual construction has likewise increased from approximately $50,000, to approximately $3,000,000.
Yearly Company outings, care of the sick and injured, and a bonus system have determined the loyalty of Megin Company employees.
Following are officers and directors of W. J. Megin, Inc.: William J. Noble, Jr. President and Treasurer; Mildred P. Noble, Vice-President, Assistant Treasurer and Secretary; Michael L. Fitzpatrick, Director; Thomas F. Guinnod, Director; Thomas F. St. John, Director.
Following is a list of industries and concerns whose buildings have either been constructed or remodeled by W. J. Megin, Inc.:
United States Rubber Co. – Footwear Plant, Naugatuck, Conn.
United States Rubber Co. – Naugatuck Chemical Division, Naugatuck, Conn.
United States Rubber Co. – Synthetic Rubber Division, Naugatuck, Conn.
United States Rubber Co. – Shoe Hardware Division, Waterbury, Conn.
T. F. Butterfield Co., Naugatuck, Conn.
Eastern Malleable Iron Co., Naugatuck, Conn.
Lewis Engineering Co., Naugatuck, Conn.
Naugatuck Glass Co., Naugatuck, Conn.
Naugatuck Mfg. Co., Naugatuck, Conn.
Peter Paul, Inc., Naugatuck, Conn.
Telephone Co., Naugatuck and Waterbury, Conn.
American Brass Co., Waterbury, Ansonia, and Torrington, Conn.
The Bristol Co., Waterbury, Conn.
Connecticut Light & Power Co., Waterbury, Conn.
Manufacturers’ Foundry, Waterbury, Conn.
Plume & Atwood Mfg. Co., Waterbury, Conn.
Scovill Mfg. Co., Waterbury, Conn.
Somers Brass Co., Waterbury, Conn.
Waterbury Hospital, Waterbury, Conn.
Waterbury Paper Box Co., Waterbury, Conn.
Hemingway Corp., Waterbury, Conn.
Autotype Co., Oakville, Conn.
Blake & Johnson Co., Waterville, Conn.
Bristol Brass Corp., Bristol, Conn.
Miller Co., Meriden, Conn.
Ansonia Electrical Co., Ansonia, Conn.
Farrell-Birmingham Co., Ansonia and Derby, Conn.
New Haven Copper Co., Seymour, Conn.
Seymour Mfg. Co., Seymour, Conn.
Rufert Chemical, Division of Seymour Mfg. Co., Seymour, Conn.
S. Curtis & Son, Inc., Sandy Hook, Conn.
Naugatuck Daily News – Monday, September 15, 1947