How Paper Boxes Are Made / A practical and instructive book telling how the beginner may manufacture all kinds of paper boxes, with special chapters on the printing department for paper box plants, embossing, gold-leafing, label work, etc.

by Robert F. Salade

DRUGGISTS’ PILL AND POWDER BOXES.

ONE of the most important branches of the paper box industry is that which is devoted to the manufacture of druggists’ pill and powder boxes. Only a comparatively few concerns are engaged in the production of these specialties, and at the present time these firms are practically in control of this class of business, for the reason that their plants have been especially equipped for the production of this line. In some instances these manufacturers have had special machinery built for the particular needs of their factories.

While it is true that a great many of the small pill and powder boxes are made by hand, by skilled workers who have had long experience on this kind of work, it is also a fact that large numbers of small pill and powder boxes are being made on machines. In one large plant, of Philadelphia, there are several specially-built machines which are being used for the making of round pill boxes of various sizes. The owners of this plant will not allow strangers to see these machines in operation; in fact, only certain loyal employes of the firm are permitted to enter the department where these machines are located.

Another concern, who for the last sixty years has been making a specialty of druggists’ pill and powder boxes, will not allow visitors in the mechanical departments of the plant under any circumstances. All “secrets” in the processes of manufacture are carefully guarded, and only certain employes have admittance to the work-rooms where round pill and face powder boxes are put together. The manufacturers of pill and powder boxes in general seem to have erected a “Chinese Wall” around their industry, and they should not be blamed for this, as in some instances the manufacturers have spent thousands of dollars in perfecting machines and processes, and these of course are their own private property.

Nevertheless, the writer is of the opinion that no manufacturer will lose anything by allowing visitors to walk through all departments of his factory. Personality in business and quality of product are things which cannot be stolen. You cannot steal a man’s ideas, or rather his brains. Consider the business methods of the Curtis Publishing Company, of Philadelphia, for example. This company is said to have the best-equipped printing plant in the world. Doubtless the reader knows about the superior quality of The Ladies’ Home Journal, The Saturday Evening Post, and The Country Gentleman—the three famous magazines produced by the Curtis Publishing Company. This company invites the public to go through all departments of its wonderful plant. This great $25,000,000 concern is not afraid of anybody stealing its “secrets.”

“Competition is the life of trade.”