Service to Government and Industry Since 1846... Who was Zophar Mills ?
Zophar Mills was the name of a very famous fireman in the early days of New York City Fire Department. This was a time when the Companies were entirely volunteer. Serving as a member of Eagle Engine Company No. 13 from 1832 to 1834 Mr. Mills was elected foreman by his men. In 1842 he was elected Trustee of the Fire Department Fund where he served as such until 1846. He was then elected Vice-President and finally, in 1847, he was elected President and re-elected in the years 1848 through 1851. Mr. Mills' distinguished career with the Fire Department would not stop here. In 1882 the New York City Fire Department built a new and thoroughly equipped fire boat named "Zophar Mills" at Wilmington, Delaware, in honor of the revered fireman. It would aid in the battling of many large waterfront fires until being placed "Out of Service" on September 4, 1934.
Mr. Mills founded a ship chanderly business to which he also gave his name in 1846. During this time he expanded his activities on behalf of the relief of widows, orphans and firemen by organizing the Firemen's Fund. He died at the age of 78 from a heart attack while taking a walk, a fitting climax to an active career.
Mr. Mills was succeeded by his son who continued the business on a large scale until 1917. At this time the government acquired his property in Erie Basin, Brooklyn, for important work in the war effort of WW I. In January 1924, having reached the age of 70, Mr. Mills, anxious to retire, sold the business to Harry J. Blank, Sr. who incorporated and expanded the line of products they manufactured. Approaching the year of 1936, the company had begun to outgrow its manufacturing facilities. In that year, Mr. Blank arranged the purchase of the property off of Third Avenue in Brooklyn where they could continue to expand business operations. Harry J. Blank, Sr., as President and General Manager, guided the development of the company from its incorporation in 1924 until he retired in 1964.
Harry J. Blank, Jr. began working with the company in 1941 in Research & Development of new products and was active in all phases of product formulization in all three Divisions of Zophar Products. He became President and General Manager in 1964 and continued in that position until his retirement in 1993.
John Thelian, Mr. Blank's son-in-law, started with the company in 1969 and has been actively engaged in all phases of the business. Now as Vice-President and General Manager he has relocated the business to a more desirable manufacturing location in North Amityville, Long Island, New York, where Zophar Mills, Incorporated continues its various line of products serving a multitude of industries.
"What is Zophar Mills, Inc.?" Initial acquaintance with Zophar Products will produce many surprises and the oft-heard comment, "I had no idea they were involved in so many industries." The Wax Division developed wax compounds for the manufacturers of the early radio and electrical components. A great many wax products were developed for the Signal Corps during the 1930's and 1940's. Other waxes, such as fungicidal waxes were developed for use electrical equipment that was to be used in tropical climates in order to prevent mold and mildew growth.
Zophar waxes have been used in components of small appliances, radios, televisions and all types of communication equipment as well as in dry-cell and transistor batteries. Adhesive waxes (paste-ups) have been used by the Government Printing Office, graphic arts and newspaper companies as far away as Australia and New Zealand.
The Chemical Specialties Division made industrial cleaning compounds for both government and civilian use and included compounds for cleaning railroad equipment, aircraft engine cleaning, paint stripping, degreasing, steam cleaning, automotive parts cleaning, platers cleaners, metal cleaners, citrus fruit cleaners, and maintenance cleaning.
The third section, Asphalt, Pitch and Rosin Compounds Division produced a wide range of products, many of which must conform to government and industrial specifications. They included Rubber-base Acid & Alkali Resistant Coatings (used in breweries, dairies and beverage plants), Asphalt Varnishes, Asphalt Primers & Coatings, Coal Tar Coatings, Vinyl Strip Coatings, Marine Glue, Roof Coatings & Cement, Brewers Pitch, Optician's Pitch, Burgundy Pitch, Tank Coatings, Processed Resins and Pitches for Printing Ink. A Special Asphalt Base Coating is used to line potable water tanks. This product serves many municipalities, beverage companies, and fisheries. Special Coal Tar Coatings, widely used in the South and in Hawaii, are used to protect pumps and underground irrigation pipes.
Today... Zophar Mills, Inc. continues to expand its wide range of products under the direction of John Thelian, many times to meet the specific needs of a customer. If you have unique needs feel free to call as customizing is our specialty. This type of commitment is the foundation upon which Zophar Mills, Inc. was built, and with your patronage we will continue to expand upon this commitment into the future.