The following text is from a document entitled "Bacharach's Golden Anniversary 1909 - 1959" We apologize for the poor quality of the photographs - unfortunately the originals are nowhere to be found.
HIGHLIGHTS
of
Bacharach History
1909...
Herman Bacharach, an immigrant from Germany, working for Westinghouse as an engineer, decides to venture into the business world and to leave behind the status and protection of an employee. He recognizes the potential need for industrial instruments and, through relatives in Germany, arranges with several companies there to supply instruments needed in basic industries in this country.
1910...
Some success is met in introducing the imported instruments to mines, steel mills and coke plants.
1911 - 1913...
The by-product coke oven industry is begun in the United States. The instruments imported by Mr. Bacharach are specially suited to instrumentation in this field.
Instruments for measurement of ventilation become popular in coal mines, as a means of accident prevention.
1914...
World War I stops importation of instruments. Herman Bacharach tackles the herculean task of building the instruments in this country. There is no instrument industry here; nor are there any suitably trained mechanics.
1915...
The first satisfactory duplicates of the instruments imported from Germany are delivered to customers. The parts for them are made in various small shops throughout the area. The instruments are assembled in a room adjacent to the company's office in the Hartje Building.
Bacharach's Industrial Instrument Company is incorporated. The incorporators are Herman Bacharach, Herman F. Kunkel, Professor C.L.W. Trinks, and Miss M.G. Coyne. The capital stock of the corporation is $20,000. The officers of the corporation are Herman Bacharach, President; H.F. Kunkel, Vice President; M.G. Coyne, Secretary and Treasurer. The President and Secretary-Treasurer are the only full-time employees. Their salaries: $200 per month for the President and $60.70 per month for the Secretary-Treasurer.
Sales amount to $19,000.
1916...
The increasing demand for Bacharach instruments requires moving to larger quarters. Space selected is the top floor of the eight story building at 422 First Avenue, having a floor space of 2400 square feet.
The sum of $1,000 is budgeted for experimental engineering.
1917...
First dividend of the Company is declared.
1918 1921...
War and postwar acceleration of industrial expansion gives substantial impetus to the need of instruments for the basic industries. The Bacharach Industrial Instrument Company prospers. By 1920, there is a need for greater capitalization, and it is increased to $50,000. Sales volume for the year 1920 is $70,000.
1923...
Arrangements are made with Siemens and Halske of Berlin, one of the world's leading manufacturers of electrical products, to have Bacharach Industrial Instrument Company act as the exclusive distributor of that company's heat economy instruments in the United States.
Sales of instruments made by Bacharach and imported from Germany total $100,000 for the year.
Space again becomes inadequate. The company purchases and moves again into a building at the corner of Bennett and Murtland Streets Homewood (Pa.). Potential available space, under roof is now 18,000 square feet.
1927...
Company finds it necessary to increase capitalization to $80,000. Sales volume is not $190,000.
1929...
Business growth again makes necessary an increase of capitalization; now to $100,000.
1935...
Herman Bacharach retires. His holdings are purchased by employees of the Company. The officers of the Company now are: L.L. Vayda, President; Rudolf Ulrich, Vice President; J.A. Stein, Secretary; A.H. Anderson, Treasurer.
Plan is made to develop and sell instruments for heating and Diesel engine service. Engineering development budget is sharply increased.
1937...
The first heating service instrument is offered for sale. It is a small pocket-size draft gauge and is given the trade name "Draftrite."
1939...
The second heating service instrument, a small portable gas analyzer named the "Fyrite" is marketed. The first service kit fot diagnosing furnace troubles is make available. It consists of the Draftrite, Fyrite, and a stack thermometer.
1940...
The volume of sales is not over $200,000 for the year. Capitalization increases to $150,000.
1941...
Operations of the Company geared to World War II effort. Demand for Bacharach products, used mostly by the Navy and Merchant Marine, swells. Sales volume for the year is over $350,000.
1942...
Company adopts comprehensive benefits plan, including life insurance, hospitalization and pensions, for all employees.
1943...
Space is again inadequate. Addition is make to building at corner of Bennett and Murtland Streets, and the interior of the building is renovated to make the total space under roof useable. Adjacent apartment building is purchased and renovated for use by the Engineering Department. Total floor space fully used is now 27,000 square feet; volume of sales is over $500,000; capitalization is increased to $250,000.
1944-1945...
Bacharach is called on to make gunsights for 40 mm. Bofors guns.
Total sales reach over $750,000; capitalization is increased to $350,000.
1946...
First postwar year when it becomes necessary to look to peacetime customers for all business. It is the first year when the plans made in 1935 to specialize in instruments for heating and Diesel service can be put into operation and tested. The results for the year are encouraging. Sales volume is $508,000.; substantially higher than the last peacetime year.
Assets of the Practical Instrument Company are purchased, adding a line of recording instruments to supplement the Bacharach heating service products.
1947-1948...
A number of products are added to both Diesel and heating service lines.
1949...
Adeco Nozzle Tester patents and inventory are purchased. This product, and accessories developed by Bacharach, make possible the diagnosis of all makes of Diesel nozzles.
1951...
First year when sales volume exceeds $1,000,000.
1952...
Assets of Curtiss and Smith Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of Diesel tools and testing devices, are purchased. This acquisition substantially supplements the Bacharach Diesel service line and adds to sales volume. To provide additional space necessitated by this operation, offices are moved to 7301 Penn Avenue, and a 10,000 square foot factory is rented in Swissvale. Floor space now used totals 43,000 square feet.
1954...
Diesel pump testing devices are added to the Diesel service line. With the products offered, it is now possible to diagnose practically any phase of the Diesel engine. No other manufacturer in the world can provide the comprehensive assortment of Diesel testing devices now offered by Bacharach.
Capitalization is increased to $650,000.
1956-1957...
To overcome cramped facilities in all departments, and to provide better efficiency, a building at Meade Street and Braddock Avenue is acquired. The building has 75,000 square feet of floor space, enough room to house all departments under one roof and provide space for expansion.
1958...
Mr. Bacharach, the founder of the Company, dies at the age of 83. His death occurs at the Engineers Society quarters while he is playing chess, his favorite game.
1959...
Sales increase to annual level of $2,000,000 for the first time.
The Future...
Both Major areas of operation of the Company ... Diesel; and heating, air condition and refrigeration ... have bright future prospects. However, the Company's growth is not necessarily limited to these fields of endeavor. In fifty years of experience, exceptional skills have been acquired in engineering, manufacturing and merchandising. Management has the opportunity to invade other, preferably allied, fields of endeavor where it can take advantage of these skills.
The first annual million dollars of sales was reached in 42 years; the second in 8 years. there is every reason to expect this acceleration trend to continue.