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Company Overview
Worthen's constant drive for innovation, investment in our staff, and forwardthinking leadership has taken us from a one-product operation in 1866 to a system of fifteen industry-leading business units with worldwide operations and a large portfolio of patents.
TAKING CARE OF OUR FAMILY
Worthen Industries began in 1866 as Union Paste Company (UPACO). We have since grown to offer fifteen distinct product lines, but we keep the original values of our family-owned company alive.
We embrace sustainability and operate in a fully responsible manner according to our Corporate Values. And, of course, we take care of our employees and our community in the same way we would take care of our own family.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
We honor our customers and their need for fast and accurate solutions. Our mission is simple: to exceed their expectations. After 150 years in the industry, we know how to meet your needs.
We provide value to our customers by being dynamic and “can do” when they present us with their unique needs.
SUSTAINABILITY & QUALITY
Worthen Industries’ success is built on the simultaneous pursuit of economic viability, environmental quality, and worker-community health. Sometimes this is called Corporate Social Responsibility; we just call it our Responsibility.
We are committed to working with our customers, suppliers, and vendors to apply responsible and innovative environmental practices in our design, production, and distribution processes. We have several success stories from when we combined our passion for sustainability with our ability to creatively achieve customer goals. Worthen’s highly-qualified professional staff and specialized consultants are helping us to go beyond the mandatory regulatory requirements at our facilities.
EMPLOYEE WELLNESS
Worthen Industries 250+ employees are among the best and brightest in our industries, and they are treated with the dignity and professionalism they deserve.
Safety is a non-negotiable. Our safety mission statement is driving us to be an accident-free work environment. In addition to our Employee Assistance Program, we offer our employees a Wellness Coach to build and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
We invest in our employees’ professional development and recognize when they go above and beyond to deliver value to our customers. After all, they are our best asset.
INNOVATION
We don’t sell products--we sell solutions. That means when you present our team with a challenge, we are committed to finding you the answer.
We have the resources of five production facilities and fifteen Business Units at our disposal to tackle those problems that other companies won’t.
We employ a systems-thinking approach to every challenge, so you can count on us to evaluate all cost, environmental, safety, and end-customer factors during R&D and testing.
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
We are worldwide company, but we take pride in the local communities where we operate.
Worthen Industries is an active supporter of nonprofit organizations and associations. We are committed to encouraging employee wellness, participating in the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smoke Out and the Cigna/Elliot Hospital 5k Road Race. Many of our philanthropic efforts focus on environmental protection and sustainability.
Our employees are our company’s best ambassadors. They are encouraged to become involved in local community organizations to help make the world a better place.
History
1866-1870
A.L. Woodward of Lowell , Massachusetts founded Union Paste & Sizing Company. In 1870, Joshua Chase changed the company name to Union Paste Company and the single adhesive product became known as "Chase's Prepared Paste".
1930
Charles Farnsworth, great grandfather to the present ownership, founded Farnsworth Inc., manufacturer of bias binding for the footwear industry, in Lowell, MA.
1954
Frederic P Worthen purchased Farnsworth Inc.
1963
Union Paste Co and Southern Adhesives of Richmond, VA were purchased. Union Paste Company later became known as UPACO Adhesives.
1965 – 1977
Delco Rubber Corporation, New York Laminating Co, Monumental Adhesives Co. Empire Adhesives Co., and Roman Adhesives were acquired.
1978-1979
UPACO moved from Hyde Park, MA to Nashua NH, and a new manufacturing location for the NYLCO Division was opened in Newnan, GA. Worthen Industries was formed encompassing all of the entities purchased over the previous 36 years under the trade names UPACO and NYLCO.
1979
In 1979, Frederic “Rick” Paine Worthen, Fred’s 2nd oldest son, moved to Newnan, Georgia to oversee the construction of a new NYLCO plant. Rick subsequently managed the plant for over 20 years until the plant closed in the early 2000s.
1982 – 1985
Peter T. Worthen, Frederic P. Worthen’s oldest son, was appointed President from 1982 – 1985
1985 – 2009
Frederic P. Worthen’s middle child, Robert F. Worthen, was appointed President in 1985 and maintained this position until 2009.
1986
The Business Unit concept was introduced in order to focus our services and technology on the needs of our customers in specific markets. Today Worthen has 15 Business Units split between the UPACO & NYLCO Divisions.
2001
UPACO Division opened a wholly owned subsidiary, UPACO Asia Limited, with offices in Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong, and Dong Guan City, China.
2002 - 2003
A manufacturing facility in Michigan was purchased from Avery-Dennison, along with acquiring two companies in Massachusetts, Odell-Williams and Prime Manufacturing. All of which were coating companies supplying the label, flexible hose, and footwear markets.
2005
Worthen purchased an extrusion line and entered the extruded film market.
2006
A 155,000 sq ft plant was purchased in North Nashua, as a second location to consolidate converting operations and to warehouse raw materials and finished goods. A 86” tenter frame coater was also purchased and installed.
2009
David S. Worthen, the youngest son of Frederic P Worthen, was appointed president.
2010 - 2014
Equipment relocation from Clinton, Ma. and the South Nashua plant to the North facility took place over several months. In addition to the purchase of a third extrusion line and coater with an oxidizer.
2015 - 2016
Purchased a new warehouse in Richmond, VA, and a new manufacturing facility in Michigan to consolidate the two Grand Rapids locations. A new coating line was also purchased to increase capacity.
Industry News
Worthen Industries Supports Footwear Industry Through Special Adhesives - As reported by Medium in their article “Types of Glues Used in Footwear Industry,” adhesives are a vital component of the footwear industry. “The footwear industry is a well-known industry which has served years in styling up your feet. Whether it is a sandal or shoes, all needs to be perfectly crafted…,” Medium said. Click … Continue reading Worthen Industries Supports Footwear Industry Through Special Adhesives 
Worthen Industries Utilizes Paper Converting to Create Top of the Line Paper Products - As explained by About Mechanics in their article “What is Paper Converting?,” paper converting is used to create a variety of paper products such as envelopes, boxes, and paper bags and requires many different techniques. “Operations involved in paper converting may include treating, slitting, sheeting, grooving, punching, and folding. Some operations may also call for … Continue reading Worthen Industries Utilizes Paper Converting to Create Top of the Line Paper Products 
Worthen Industries Helps to Further Education of Hot Melt Adhesives - As reported by IQS Directory in their article “Hot Melt Adhesives,” these adhesives, also called glue adhesives, are used for a vast variety of applications. “Due to their flexibility, ease of application, and low melting points as compared to other adhesive types, hot melt adhesives are appropriate and suitable for many different substrates or materials,” … Continue reading Worthen Industries Helps to Further Education of Hot Melt Adhesives