[4] In 1921, the Directors again indicated their desire to invest in real estate by purchasing the land and buildings at 96 West Main Street for $29,000 ($414,693 in 2021 dollars).
Financing was through the use of corporate earnings, additional capital shares sold to Directors, and a bank mortgage.
The plant included administrative offices, route delivery racks, and room for the dry cleaning, spotting, finishing, and dyeing departments.
[4] 1926 marked the temporary end of a rapid growth and expansion period of the dry cleaning business which began in 1916.
While records show that from 1926 to 1930 dollar volume profitability increased substantially, the Directors concerned themselves with consolidating their business gains.
By 1936, the future looked brighter and the Directors voted to build an addition onto the rear of the plant for a new rug cleaning department.
[4] From 1937 to 1942, the New Britain Dry Cleaning Corporation underwent a complete change in methods of advertising, selling, and production.
[6] During the war years, growth in the dry cleaning industry was restricted so the corporation invested in real estate.
[4] In 1947, Rudolph, founder, President, and Director of the New Britain Dry Cleaning Corporation, died at the age of 63.
Cash and carry trade (as opposed to route men picking up and delivering clothing) accounted for approximately 75% of the company's volume.
The issue was whether to buy new, more efficient, dry cleaning equipment that would increase productivity and provide better service to their customers or wait, because (1) management knew their dry cleaning equipment was fairly new and had been kept in excellent condition, (2) the country was in the midst of a recession, (3) business, in general, was leveling off throughout the nation due to the recession, and (4) economists warned companies to proceed with caution.
They felt that much of the growth was attributed to the company's policy of offering the finest cleaning at the lowest possible prices in keeping with quality service.
The new system of dry cleaning appeared to offer a superior way of processing garments and improving service.
The new equipment replaced a number of smaller dry cleaning units, freed up more production space, and released employees for other work in the plant.
[9] In 1955, there were 65 employees, five route delivery drivers, and nine stores (seven in New Britain, including one at the main plant and one in the downtown Kloiber Building; one in Newington; and one in West Hartford, Connecticut).
[10] In 1962, to better serve the public, the company opened New Britain's first combination coin-operated dry cleaning and laundry store—NB Clean-O-Mat—at 987 West Main Street.
There were special departments for dry cleaning clothes, furs, rugs, blankets, and draperies; and for laundering shirts.
[12] At a special meeting of the Board of Directors, Woodrow Kloiber was named Vice-President, Assistant Treasurer, and Secretary.
The objectives of the purchase were to maintain a high volume of work, increase the efficiency of both companies, and stabilize prices.
[13][14] Working conditions in a dry cleaning and laundry plant during the summer months were brutally hot, temperatures often rising to 100 degrees or more.
[1] Many articles appeared in the New Britain Herald over the years mentioning surprise bonuses, parties, testimonials, and outings for the employees in appreciation of their work.
For example, in 1945, the New Britain Herald reported that following a Christmas dinner, Rudolph Kloiber presented bonuses to the employees based on the time they worked for the company.
A picture accompanying the article shows Mr. Merkle with five other longtime employees totaling 193 years of service with the company.
She is none other than Sophie Liss of the silk finishing department and the Spotfinder takes pleasure to congratulate her on her rapid strides in politics and wishes her luck in this campaign.”[1] The New Britain Dry Cleaning Corporation served many organizations in the community as well as their retail customers.
In 1946, during his chairmanship of the committee, he donated, free of charge, the use of a building that he owned at 92 West Main Street for the blind who lived in New Britain and surrounding towns.
Rudolph, and members of the Lions Club, renovated the building to include rooms for recreation, education, and social gatherings.