Gorham Company Post-1965

By 1967, #Gorham Manufacturing company, which never recovered from the blockade of semi-precious metals in 1941, was bankrupt and sold to Textron. Now, I will explain to you why owning a post-1965 Gorham tableware article is a valuable legacy to hold on to, even if they were manufactured after 1960. Based on Charles Carpenter book, “Gorham #Silver 1831 to 1981”, Gorham was not only a very reputable and popular manufacturer of #Silverplated and Bronze holloware and flatware. As the world was experiencing #WorldWarII, the company actively participated in the war effort and was manufacturing over 30 kinds of war materials.
In December 1941, the #UnitedStates government prohibited the use of copper and its alloys in making civilian goods. Hence, Gorham had to cease all manufacturing of plated ware, bronze and brass goods. In 1943, the #War Production Board ordered also to limit the use of silver. Therefore, Gorham had no choice but to fully convert to a producer of war manufacturing materials such as small arms parts, 40mm steel cartridge cases, tank bearings, and torpedo components. The company who, at the beginning of the century, had 2000 silversmiths working around its factories around the world, was now reduced to 160 workers in silverware. Toilet ware and most church goods were discontinued and holloware production was cut 70%.
At the end of the war, Gorham Manufacturing and its employees were three times honored with the #Army-Navy Award for High Achievement in Production of War Materials. However, in July 1967, 136 years after its founding, Gorham Manufacturing company, escaping an aggressive takeover, finds itself obliged to merge with Textron. What happened was that Gorham Company had ventured in the acquisition of several other companies to diversify into new business. Among those acquired were Quaker Silvr Co, Friedman Silver Co, Graff, Washbourne & Dunn, Eaton Paper Co. of Pittsfield, Pickard & Burns Incorporated, an electric research and development firm, and the Adpress Co. Gorham becoming a small conglomerate was also turning into a cash-rich company whose value was higher than their quoted stock price. It was mostly due to the increased silver price which increased exponentially the value of their inventories. That immediately made Gorham becoming a target for a takeover.