WATERLOO — Bruno Bock Group, the former Evans Chemetics, will cease sulfur-based chemical production at its iconic 228 E. Main St. property by June 30.
The four-story brick factory, which began life as Waterloo Woolen Mill in 1839, will not close but will be used by Bruno Bock as a regional distribution center. The plant now employs 65 people; it is not known how many will remain after chemical production ends.
Company officials announced the end of production at the plant as part of a broader strategy to reshape and expand North American operations. Officials said in a March 30 press release the move is part of a larger restructuring effort aimed at strengthening the company’s position in specialty chemical markets following recent business changes, including the divestment of its thioester segment and the acquisition of the ipox chemicals company.
The written announcement is signed by Director of Operations David Breyette and Site Manager Jeff Mooneyhan, who said, “The Bruno Bock team is looking forward to continue business activities in the community and will work with its business partners to maintain successful and lasting relationships.”
Company officials said the changes are designed to better align operations with customer needs and support long-term growth. While production will end in Waterloo, officials said the company intends to maintain a presence in the community through distribution activities and ongoing business relationships.
Bruno Bock will open a regional application laboratory in Durham, N.C., in the second quarter and be fully operational by the end of the year. The company said it plans to relocate its American headquarters from Teaneck, N.J., to a 7,500-square-foot facility in Durham during the third quarter. The company will begin searching for a new manufacturing site closer to customers, with a modern, multi-purpose facility targeted for completion in 2028.
The historic Waterloo building was constructed in 1839. The mill operated until 1936. Chemist Ralph Evans bought the property in 1947 and located Evans Chemetics there, producing sulfur-based chemicals and cold permanent hair products. Evans was a chemist who developed wartime gas-detection kits and specialized ointments.
The business was sold to W.R. Grace Chemical Co. in 1978. Since then, it was known as Hampshire Chemical Corp. and Dow Chemical before being acquired by Germany-based Bruno Bock in 2005. The business was renamed Bruno Bock Group in 2022, supported by supply chain management from the company’s New Jersey headquarters.
The Village Board discussed the announcement at its May 11 meeting. Mayor Walt Bennett said village officials have met with Bruno Bock folks “to get a decent idea on what we can expect so we can make better informed decisions on projects that might include or impact them. For example, we have a drainage project that would normally require we fix the pipe that supplies the plant with canal water. We can save money if it is not needed. They refused to say never on certain things, but at least we feel confident about having the information we need for those decisions.
“As far as their future is concerned, it feels like the location will be a very minor player in their distribution strategy for the foreseeable future because keeping it in their organization keeps them in the loop about any brownfield concerns if there were to be any.”
Bennett said Bruno Bock has an onsite wastewater treatment plant that “could provide some interesting opportunities in the future.”
