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Photo Gallery - Skolnik History

Gallery: Skolnik History

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August, 1943 “NABADA News”

1943

1949: In October, 2009, Mark Mooney presented Howard Skolnik with a copy of a letter written on October 19th, 1949 from Jack Skolnik to potential customer, Thomas Popola and Sons, Inc. This letter is the oldest known piece of Skolnik correspondence

1949

1949: Snapshots of the drum reconditioning operation which was discontinued in the 1960's

1949

1950: A fresh load of reconditioned drums.

1950

1952: Product bulletin for the accessories division — Sko-Vise Drum Tool Company.

1952

1952: Open Head Drum Closing Tool created by Skolnik.

1952

1954: The new factory located at 4600 W. 48th St., Chicago

1954

1954: The new factory located at 4600 W. 48th St., Chicago

1954

1955: 14th Annual Convention . Hotel New Yorker . New York City . November 4, 1955

1955

1956: Jack (upper inset) and Sol (lower inset) Skolnik pose with Harold Borkus, Plant Superintendent.

1956

1957: The new letterhead for 4600 W. 48th St.

1957

1960: Skolnik featured in “The Steel Drum” Magazine.

1960

1961: Deshler Hilton . Columbus, Ohio . September 15th, 1961

1961

1965: On August 27th, 1965, a tornado struck and destroyed the new warehouse.

1965

1965: New Office and Warehouse located at 4801 S. Knox Ave.

1965

1965: New Office and Warehouse located at 4801 S. Knox Ave.

1965

1967: Jack Skolnik (left) exhibiting at the New York Packaging Show.

1967

1967: Believing that a pretty woman would help sales, Jack hires Miss New York 1961 to work in the Skolnik booth at the New York Packaging Show.

1967

1967: Jack Skolnik (center) exhibiting at the New York Packaging Show with Miss New York (left) overseeing his sales technique.

1967

1967: The first brochure promoting the manufacture of New Steel Drums in 1967.

1967

1968: The Skolnik booth at the Chicago Packging Show.

1968

1979: In 1979, Howard Skolnik creates a new booth, which debuted at the National Safety Show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

1979

1980: Howard Skolnik designs a new brochure to highlight product variety.

1980

1985: On April 25th, 1985, Howard Skolnik (left) and Edward Elins (right) purchase Skolnik Drum Corporation and create Skolnik Industries, Inc.

1985

1985: Manufacture of the 85 Gallon Salvage Drum begins in 1985.

1985

1986: Howard Skolnik holds a cake celebrating the first $500,000 month of sales!

1986

1986: The Chicago Tribune interviews Howard Skolnik, November 24th, 1986.

1986

1986: Building another new Warehouse in 1986.

1986

1987: September 5th, 1987, the roof of the manufacturing plant collapses. We continue manufacturing under a plastic tent during reconstruction.

1987

1987: On December 2nd, 1987, a week before the roof reconstruction is completed, fire destroys the entire manufacturing plant.

1987

1987: The 5-Alarm fire resulted in the complete loss of the manufacturing plant.

1987

1987: Despite the destruction of the plant, the “Niks” celebrate the 1987 Holidays and the hopeful future of the company.

1987

1987: At the 1987 Holiday Brunch, as a spiritual uplifting, the “Niks” performed this “Tribute to the Niks” composed by Howard Skolnik.

1987

1987: After the Holiday Brunch, Karen Herget poses with a store mannequin. Which one is Karen?

1987

1988: Demolition of the destroyed manufacturing plant.

1988

1988: Southtown Economist reports on the Skolnik spirit

1988

1988: Five months after the fire, we move into our new facility at 4900 S. Kilbourn Ave. in Chicago. Howard is carried over the threshold by Ernie Bruzzichesi and Raphael Toro and everyone dresses in Black Tie to celebrate. The following day, as Harold Bo

1988

1989: The original staff at the opening of our new location on Kilbourn Ave.

1989

1989: Identifying a cleanliness concern about the oils used in steel processing, Skolnik patents and offers steel drums that are Kosher.

1989

1989:An expanded brochure of the growing product line.

1989

1989: Skolnik develops the “Toy Drummer” — a children's toy storage chest. (Caroline Skolnik (green shirt) is one of the child models).

1989

1989: Skolnik develops the “Toy Drummer” — a children's toy storage chest. (Caroline Skolnik (green shirt) is one of the child models).

1989

1989: Sasha Skolnik, Shaun and Andrea Beauchamp visit the Toy Drummer display at the Crate and Barrel in Chicago

1989