United Gilsonite Laboratories, UGL

1932
–
2007
And Beyond
United Gilsonite Laboratories is a
company with a unique story to tell,
from its humble beginning in 1932;
to the international company it is
today. Let us take you on a journey.
A company Born Out
of Unpredictability
The Start of
Something Big
1932 was a year of unpredictability; unemployment reached 13,000,000. Two
and a half years after the 1929 stock market crash the U.S. economy operated at
less than half its pre-crash volume. It would take a lot of confidence and great
foresight to start a business in such an erratic economy. It was exactly these
two things that Gerald B. Payne, UGL’s founder had. In 1932, Mr. Payne saw a
need to manufacture products people could apply themselves. Although the
odds were against him, this would be the start of a very great company.
UGL quickly grew. In 1935, UGL outgrew a rented warehouse so Mr. Payne
purchased a building on Jefferson Avenue in Scranton, PA. It provided three
floors for mixing, packaging, office space and a laboratory in which to develop
and test new products. This site currently serves as UGL’s five acre manufacturing
complex, corporate headquarters, and a distribution center for the eastern
United States.
Mr. Payne knew that success in the business world depends largely on the message
you convey and the image you project, and that would start with a name. He
named his company United Gilsonite Laboratories, UGL for short. It is an
unusual name that’s pronounced United Gill-son-ite Laboratories.
The name was chosen because asphalt roof coating, which contained Gilsonite
(a kind of asphalt), was one of the first products manufactured by this new
company and because it made the company appear bigger than it really was.
Next, he would need equipment and this is where his ingenuity would kick in.
Mr. Payne began manufacturing furnace cement with a sausage grinder that he
purchased from a junkyard for $5. The machine was in such bad shape that it
had to be soaked in kerosene for a week to free the rusted parts.
The next UGL product introduced was roof cement, made outdoors in an open
vat. Mr. Payne constructed the mixing machine by connecting five Ford automobile
rear ends, fans, and an old five horsepower electric motor. The noise could be
heard for blocks.
The UGL product line began to expand into multiple product lines allowing the
business to grow and capitalize on its budding reputation. In 1938 E-JECT-O
drain opener and other specialties, including GLOMEX Furniture Polish and
PARISIAN WALL SIZING were developed. GILSALUME, the
first asphalt aluminum paint to provide roof surfaces with
heat reflecting qualities and weather protection, joined
the UGL line later that year.
It was in the years after World War II
that the home improvement industry
really started to boom. Soldiers were
heading home and needed a place to
settle down with their young families.
During this time, demand for
GILSALUME grew and UGL acquired
another building. This new facility
provided additional production
space for new paste products that
UGL developed for the growing do-ityourself market including glazing,
caulking compounds, patching and
repair products.
Mr. Payne, UGL’s Founder, discusses
product strategy with George
Walker, UGL’s Treasurer.
UGL’s original building
The sausage grinder was converted
into a furnace cement mixer which
started it all.
UGL employees in 1941
As demand for
Gilsalume increases,
UGL expands plant to
another building.
An early
in store display
America’s Number One Waterproofer
In 1953, UGL held its first national sales meeting and introduced the DRYLOK line, including nine separate products for
waterproofing basements, stopping active masonry leaks, protecting and beautifying interior or exterior masonry walls
and painting masonry floors. Adding these new products to the existing product lines would help UGL compete more
broadly in a growing industry.
The 50’s started suburban America. Farms were turning into neighborhoods and people were moving out of the cities
looking for a little slice of heaven. Ranch style homes with natural wood materials would be the architectural style of
the times.
Introduction of ZAR Polyurethane
1958 was a breakthrough year for UGL with the introduction of ZAR CRYSTALLITE COATING, one of the first polyurethane
clear finishes for wood available in the United States commercial market. Prior to this, the only floor coating available
for use on hardwood floors was varnish.
Expanding Manufacturing Capabilities
From 1960 to 1970, UGL’s manufacturing facility expanded three separate times to accommodate a growing administration,
demand for product and an increasing product line. ZAR Paint and Varnish Removers and DRYLOK Ready Mixed Sealer
are two of the products added to manufacturing during these years. Both products are still among the over 80
products manufactured today.
ZAR’s Premium Quality Stain added to line
Developing upon the strong ZAR name and expanding the wood finishing product line, UGL acquired
Beverlee’s wood finishing products and added ZAR Satin Stains, now known as ZAR Wood Stain, to the line.
An early version of UGL’s award-winning
DRYLOK® Action Display
UGL’s building
UGL’s First Sales Meeting in 1953
An invoice from
the 1950s
ZAR® Polyurethane
introduced
Advertisement for ZAR®
Polyurethane, circa 1972
Window display
of early 50’s
TEMPROOF®line
Mr. Payne passes the torch
In 1978, Gerald B. Payne stepped down as president of UGL and became the
chairman of the board. He left UGL in safe hands, those belonging to the
company’s second president, Malcolm (Mac) C. MacKinnon. Mac joined UGL
in 1960 and worked his way through the sales ranks, becoming executive vice
present and then president until December of 2002, when he became chairman
of the board.
Gerald B. Payne
Malcolm (Mac) C.
MacKinnon
During Mac’s tenure as president, the growing demand for UGL products
lead to the need for the addition of a number of distribution centers.
There was a distribution center added in Visalia, California and Lincoln,
Illinois. At this point in the company’s history, all manufacturing remained
in the Scranton, PA facility.
Expansions over the years have changed the look of the original building on
Jefferson Avenue. The biggest expansion took place in 1982 when a 33,000
square foot paste products manufacturing facility was added. This facility
gave UGL the capacity to produce 25,000 tons of paste products per shift,
including up to 80 tubes of caulk per minute.
Adding ZAR Rain Stain to Production
In 1982, UGL added ZAR Rain Stain, which includes a complete assortment of 100% acrylic latex exterior stains and related
products to the continually growing product line.
Again, ahead of its time, United Gilsonite Laboratories was one of the original manufacturers to offer the consumer a
100% acrylic coating over the traditional oil-based coatings available on the market.
The UGL Product Catalog kept growing with the development of ZAR Deck Stain (1983) and 25-Year Lasticaulk (1984).
In addition, the company introduced TEMPROOF stove and fireplace products, UGL High Temperature Aluminum Paint and ZAR Plus.
UGL’s laboratory
technicians constantly
monitor product quality.
UGL’s Scranton packing/production
area, circa 1974
UGL’s caulk and
maintenance products
Changes in manufacturing include replacement of
equipment enabling UGL to produce 500 gallons of
product per batch.
UGL’s TEMPROOF® line
ZAR® Rain Stain®
exterior line
Manufacturing reaches
many parts of the country
Prior to 1986, United Gilsonite Laboratories maintained one
manufacturing facility in Scranton, PA and distribution centers
in Illinois and Nevada. In 1986, UGL opened a new manufacturing
plant in Jacksonville, Illinois. The 34,000-sq. ft. facility would
help fill customer orders more quickly and efficiently than
ever. The facility would again expand in 1993, increasing the
size to 40,000 sq. ft.
In 1997, United Gilsonite Laboratories expanded its manufacturing
capabilities by building a 36,000-sq. ft. manufacturing plant in
Dayton, Nevada at the Dayton Industrial Park. The facility became
the central manufacturing and distribution site for UGL’s expanding
Western markets.
Most recently, in March of 1999, United Gilsonite Laboratories
broke ground for a 39,000-sq.ft. manufacturing facility in Jackson,
Mississippi. The new facility was built as a statement of commitment
to increased southern United States production.
Change at the Helm
In December of 2002, Mac moved to
chairman of the board and named
Thomas R. White as third president of
United Gilsonite Laboratories. Similar to
Mac, Tom also worked his way through
the sales force starting in 1975 as a UGL
salesman, he quickly became Midwestern
sales manager and then national
accounts manager.
The future
UGL has come a long way since 1932; meeting new and changing
challenges and demands have kept us profitable along the way.
By maintaining our emphasis on keeping with the latest technology
and market trends we have been able to grow our product lines
and uphold our quality.
This was apparent when in 2002, DRYLOK Masonry Waterproofer
was rated again, for the second time, as America’s #1 Masonry
Waterproofer by a leading consumer ratings publication.
In 2001, the need for speed in home improvement products
became very important. With society changing and the increasing
dual family incomes, time had to become a factor in the drying of
these products. UGL incorporated quick drying packages in most
of their ZAR products including the ZAR Wood Stain and created
an ULTRA line of wood finishing products.
Meeting the demanding environmental regulations set forth by
the U.S. government has and will continue to be an on going
challenge. With environmental regulations and quality at the
forefront of our product development, UGL has developed many
revolutionary products.
In 2005, UGL developed a low VOC ZAR Oil-Based Wood Stain and
a Low VOC Latex-Base formula of DRYLOK Masonry Waterproofer.
Using revolutionary new resin technology in 2006, UGL was able
to formulate a Waterborne Oil Modified Polyurethane, ULTRA Max,
which blends the quick drying properties of a latex base and the
durability of an oil base finish. Also formulated was DRYLOK E1
1-Part Epoxy Concrete Floor Paint. This is another product developed
with new technology that only UGL would have. With over 15,000
dealers nationally and internationally, there is always a friendly
UGL salesman nearby. Our sales team consists of direct salesmen
who work one-on-one to provide our dealers with the best
products and service available in the market.
1997: UGL’s Dayton, Nevada plant
UGL’s 2006 product line
UGL Sales, Marketing
and Executive Team
United Gilsonite Laboratories sales
professionals attend dozens of national
and international trade shows.
UGL manages its customer
orders through the latest in
computer technology.
1986: Taking part in the grand opening ceremony for
Jacksonville, IL were from left: Robert Benton, president of
the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce; Ron Harpole,
mayor pro-tem of Jacksonville; Steve Selcke, Illinois
Department of Commerce; Thomas Ryder, Illinois State
Representative; and Malcolm MacKinnon, UGL president.
2000: UGL’s Jackson,
Mississippi plant
UGL advertises in major trade and consumer
magazines...and on national television!
UGL believes in strong marketing by constantly
training store employees who deal with UGL
consumers and through aggressively positioning its
displays and products on shelves. UGL is well known
for its in-store displays, the most famous, the Award
Winning DRYLOK Action Display, which uses an
electric pump to show how DRYLOK waterproofer
prevents water from penetrating a cinder block.
UGL also uses national and international advertising
for marketing output. Strong advertising and
consumer oriented displays are only two facets of
UGL’s marketing strategy. The other is product quality.
Quality products are one of the main reasons people
keep coming back to UGL. “No matter what, we will
not sacrifice quality,” says Tom White.” “If our name is
on it, our dealers know it is quality, it has been like
that from day one and it will continue to remain our
core goal for anything we produce.”
“We make it our objective to continually search
for the best resins on the market and seize the
latest technology and incorporate them to make
the finest products so they meet the toughest
industry standards.”
With continued energy and a defined purpose,
United Gilsonite Laboratories is ready to meet the
challenges of tomorrow with the principles set forth
by our founder Mr. Payne.
Our DRYLOK® Display grabs the
consumer with a working water
experiment!
UGL also has a very useful website, which
gives details on all of our products, and can
answer any question you may have!
UGL Officers
In December of 2002,Thomas R.White
was named the third president of
United Gilsonite Laboratories. Tom’s
move to UGL president tops a
successful career with the company
which started in 1975 when he joined
UGL as a salesman servicing accounts
throughout the state of Wisconsin.
In 1978, Mr. White was named UGL Executive Salesman,
which is the highest honor awarded to a UGL salesman
for representing the goals and ideals of the company. In
1985, Tom was promoted to Midwestern sales manager
and in 2000, Mr. White was promoted to national
accounts manager, serving as a liaison between UGL and
the company’s large retail chain accounts.
Tom earned his bachelor of business administration
degree in accounting and business management from
Madison Business College, Madison, Wisconsin. He is
currently on the board of directors of The Greater
Scranton Chamber of Commerce. He is on the board and a
member of the Enterprise Village Planning Committee for
Junior Achievement of Northeastern Pennsylvania. A
board member of Coatings Research Group International
(CRGI) and National Paint and Coatings Association along
with vice chair of CRGI’s Architectural Coatings Committee
and a member of the By-Laws and Audit Committees. He
is also a member of the Presidents’ Round Table for the
Worldwide Do It Yourself Council.
Donald Mancuso joined UGL as
assistant treasurer in 1978. In
2004, he was promoted to assistant
treasurer and in June of 2006, he
was promoted to treasurer.
He is a graduate of Pennsylvania
State University, State College, PA
with a Bachelor of Science
degree in accounting.
Am o n g m a ny l e ve l s o f i nvo l ve m e nt i n va r i o u s
community organizations over the years, Don is the
immediate past vice chairman of Lackawanna County
Redevelopment Board, treasurer of Elkview Country
Club and treasurer of Crystal Lake League, Inc. He
enjoys golfing, hunting and traveling.
Gerald B. Payne
59 years
Founder
Through his tireless efforts and commitment
to excellence, UGL has grown steadily
throughout the years to become a market
leader both nationally and internationally.
In his business, community and personal
life, Mr. Payne was a man who remained
true to his stated philosophy: “The real difference between men
is energy. A strong will, a defined purpose and invincible
determination can accomplish almost anything.”
Those ideals will always remain very much a part of the UGL
philosophy. UGL employees and management proudly salute
Mr. Payne for all that he did to make our company the success
that it is.
M.C. MacKinnon
47 years
2nd President and
Chairman of the Board
M.C. MacKinnon, at the time of his passing,
was chairman of the board of directors. He
was the second president of United
Gilsonite Laboratories with a term that ran from 1978 to
December 2002. Mac first joined UGL in 1960 as a sales
representative. He served as Sales Manager from 1963 to 1970
and as executive vice president from 1970 to 1978. Under Mac’s
leadership, UGL grew dramatically. The product line increased
the sales force expanded and the Jacksonville, IL; Dayton, NV
and Jackson, MS manufacturing facilities were completed.
Mac was noted for his commitment to the customer and
dedication to the industry.
UGL Honor Roll
(Employees with 25 years or more of service)
50 Years or more
Gerald Payne – 59**
William Mosier – 55
Eugene Buckingham – 50*
35 Years or more
Richard Yates – 46**
Carol Ferraro - 44
Michael Gianzanti – 44*
Preston Jones – 44**
Ronald J.Moss – 44*
Charlie Emmel – 43
Victor Kashinsky – 43**
Joseph Manzo – 43**
John J. Wharton – 43**
William Phillips – 43**
Jim Barrett – 41
Elmer Croom – 41**
William D’Andrea – 41
Giaccho (Bubba) Santerangelo – 41
John Kozak – 40
Joseph P. Laggan – 40**
Helen J. Schneider – 40*
Robert (Skip) Tanner – 40
Richard Barako – 39
Steve Casper – 39
Steve Prendergast - 39
James S. Seamans – 39*
Don Sinabaldi – 39
Harold Quinn – 30**
Robert Capwell – 38
George Crolly – 38
Rich Kozak – 38
Wayne Kracht – 38
Ephraim Walton – 38*
Daniel Capwell - 37
James C.Heilig – 37*
Paul Heichelbeck – 37**
Walter Miller – 37**
Ben F. Sartor – 37*
Darrell Getz - 37 **
Stanley J. Schwartz – 37
Sal Sibio – 36
Alan Andresen – 35*
Frank Balish – 35**
Walter B. Broydrick – 35**
Alice Howells – 35*
Stanley Kraemer - 35
Frank Ruszala – 35
25 Years or more
John Hughes – 34*
Jim Steckbeck – 34*
Stanley Jacukowicz – 33
Thomas White – 32
William Payne – 31
Joseph Gilotti – 30**
Charles Lieck – 30*
George Enkulenko - 29
Nancy M. Lynch – 29*
Donald Mancuso - 29
Robert Pugh - 29
Jack Straub – 29*
Monica Nichols – 28*
William Payne – 28
James Bohn – 27*
Thomas Kutzlo – 27
Roger Nord – 26
Brian Reap - 26
Robert Connolly - 25
Richard Galyean – 25
Paul Lawatsch – 25
Margretta Lewert – 25**
Janice Reichard – 25
* Retired
** Deceased
U N I T E D G I L S O N I T E L A B O R AT O R I E S
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RESEARCH INSTITUTE
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