This time of growth was not without its difficulties, however. The Perth Amboy plant had recurring operating problems. In 1952, there was a major fire at the Chicago plant; also that year, the first strike in company's history took place in the Lawrenceville plant where workers demanded a pay increase.Mt. Vernon Register-News, p. 1. Nevertheless, the company was committed to pursuing the manufacturing course, and by 1955 exited the distributing business altogether; a decision influenced in no small part by the Korean War and the resurgence of rationing and shortages it brought. Additionally, with Julius Trumpeer retiring in 1947 and his brother David passing away in 1951, a major management reorganization was long overdue. In 1955, Robert Wishnick became the chairman of the board, and Max Minning, a long-time employee, replaced him as company's president. William Wishnick, Robert's son who joined the company back in 1938 as an office clerk and warehouse worker and gradually worked his way to the top, filled the executive vice-president position.
