Worthen's constant drive for innovation, investment in our teams, and forward-thinking leadership has taken us from a one-product operation in 1866 to an expansive number of solutions serviced through twelve customer focused business units.
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.
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.
Worthen Industries' success is built on the simultaneous pursuit of economic gain, 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 and suppliers to apply innovative and sustainable 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 Industries 300+ employees are among the best and brightest in our industry, and we have programs in place to support their physical and mental wellness as well as foster professional growth.
Safety is non-negotiable and our number one priority. Our extensive safety program is driven by our goal to be an accident-free work environment.In addition to our comprehensive employee benefits and 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.
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 twelve 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.
Although we are a worldwide company, the Worthen family takes pride in the local communities where we operate.
Worthen Industries is an active supporter of nonprofit organizations and associations. We encourage employees to participate in events that not only promote employee wellness, but also give back to their communities, such as walks and road races. We sponsor our employees for multiple events each year, like the Nashua Soup Kitchens Walk & Run for Food & Shelter each April, as a part of our Worthen Owns Wellness program.
Our employees are our companys best ambassadors. They are encouraged to become involved in local community organizations to help make the world a better place.
Eric Worthen
Eric Worthen currently serves as the President and CEO of Worthen Industries, a family-owned company recognized for its commitment to innovative product solutions. Worthen Industries specializes in the development and manufacturing of advanced adhesives, coatings, and specialty materials. With a focus on sustainability and efficiency, the company serves a diverse range of industries including aerospace, automotive, construction, and textiles.
Eric has built his career in industrial industries, starting at Formix Riddle LLC in Swansea, SC, where he focused business development for vacuum thermoforming of plastic parts. Moving on to Del-Tec/Plastic Former Company in Greenville, SC, he specialized in returnable packaging systems until 2009, playing a key role in expanding the company's reach and enhancing operational efficiency.
In 2009, Eric joined Worthen Industries in Grand Rapids, MI, as Market Manager for Printable Fabric Solutions, introducing innovative strategies that propelled his career growth within the company. By 2011, he assumed the role of Business Unit Manager overseeing Film Laminating and Copolyester divisions at Worthen's Nashua, NH location.
Eric's commitment to his family business led him to become President of Worthen Industries in 2019. Eric graduated from the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business where he double majored in Small Business Management and Economics.
Outside of work, Eric values quality time with family and friends, enjoying outdoor activities. He finds solace in nature, especially when ending the day by a fire pit. Personally, he enjoys fishing, golf, tennis, and paddle tennis.
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.
2016
Worthen Industries celebrates their 150th Anniversary.
2019
Eric Worthen, son of Frederic Rick Paine Worthen, is named President
2020
Worthen Industries acquires the Simon brand & Henkel's footwear business in Mexico. The technical team joins Worthen to expand our UPACO Footwear group as UPACO Mexico.
2023
715 kW Solar panels installed at our Grand Rapids, Michigan plant producing 50% of the electricity that is used by the plant.
2023
Eric Worthen is officially named as the CEO of Worthen Industries
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