Founding & Early days
Bucilla, founded in 1867 by Bernhard Ulmann, was first known as Bernhard Ulmann Company, Incorporated (Lace, Linen, and Accessories), which was later shortened to Bucilla, the initials of all those words.
Bernhard Ulmann [was] a European emigrant who lived in Woodside, New York. Mr. Ulmann originally sold napkins, doilies and handkerchiefs printed with silk-screened embroidery designs from a pushcart on the streets of east New York. In 1870, he opened his first and only retail store; in 1875, he began to sell his products to other retailers.
In the early 1900s, the company developed Mellina, a brand of yarn designed for hand knitting. The brand was quite successful; at the height of its popularity, sales of Mellina yarn comprised nearly 70% of Bucilla’s total sales. The yarn was extremely high in quality and was considered to be the best for hand knitting.
-Plaid History Article from 2016
The company was owned and managed by the Ulmann family until 1922, when it was sold as an early Employee Stock Option Purchase to its employees.
Look for Bucilla Catalogs from the 1920s and 1930s for more information about this period of their history.
The employee-owned company flourished until 1962, when it was sold to Indian Head Corporation, a well-known conglomerate of the time.
During the late 1960s, the popularity of instructional and pattern books began to decrease. Bucilla concentrated on marketing its products in the form of needlework kits to meet the changing demands of the consumer. Also during this time, knitting as a craft began to lose its popularity. The Mellina brand was eventually sold to private investors and no longer exists today.
-Plaid History Article from 2016
Bucilla advertised in McCall’s Needlework and Crafts magazine, often a full color ad inside the front cover.
1962 – Indian Head Company Era
From 1962 to 1966 Bucilla was owned by Indian Head Corporation, “a well-known conglomerate of the time”, and was managed under the Berhard Ulmann division/company.
1966 Hannson Trust Era
From 1966 to 1977 Bucilla was owned by Hannson Trust, a Swedish company.
Packaging from 1970 shows “Printed in USA” but does not show a location on the exterior of the packaging.
Packaging from 1971-1976 shows the brand as Berhard-Ullman An Indian-Head Company, NY NY 11101.
1977 Armour-Dial Era
Bucilla was owned by Armour-Dial, a division of Greyhound Corporation, from 1977-1983.
1977-1980 packaging shows address as “©Bucilla, NY NY 1101”.
1981-1989 packaging address Seacacus NJ.
1983 Private Investors Era
In 1983, Bucilla was sold to private investors.
1981-1989 – Packaging shows location of Secaucus, NJ.
1990 – Packaging shows location of 125 Jaycee Drive, West Hazelton PA 18201-1178.
1996 Plaid Enterprises Era
In 1996, Dyson-Kissner-Moran Corporation bought Bucilla and placed it under the direction of its company, Plaid Enterprises.
In 1999, Bucilla kits showed manufacturer location as Hazelton, PA. In 2000, the location printed on kits changed to Norcross, GA.
In 2005, Plaid consolidated the remainder of its operations from Hazelton, PA Bucilla Factory, to the Plaid headquarters in Georgia. The following is a news article about the consolidation/relocation:
Area Craft Factory Is Closing/ Bucilla Corp. In Hazleton Area Once Employed 300. It Is Moving Operations To Georgia
Times Leader News Group
By RENITA FENNICK
Tuesday, July 12, 2005 Page: 1CA Hazleton area factory that endured an 80 percent reduction in its work force in the last decade, now is relocating to Georgia.
Bucilla Corp., which makes counted and stamped cross-stitch kits, is relocating its manufacturing and distribution centers at the Humboldt Industrial Park to the parent corporation’s headquarters in Atlanta. The consolidation is expected to be complete by November.Plaid Enterprises, a craft company, bought Bucilla in 1996 and moved its marketing and sales functions to Georgia in 2000.
The 55 workers who will be idled by the consolidation will receive health insurance for two months after their employment ends.
The move is blamed on a “continual softening” of the needlecraft market, Plaid President Mike McCooey said in a press release issued Friday. The company has invested heavily in its manufacturing and distribution systems at its Atlanta headquarters.
“We are currently servicing virtually the identical account base with two separate systems for order entry and customer service, invoicing, inventory management,” he said. “This move will ensure we maintain a high level of customer service without duplication or significant investment.”
Bucilla, which was founded in New York in 1867 by immigrant Bernhard Ulmann, has been operating in the Hazleton area for about 23 years, including 16 years at the industrial park. At its peak in the early 1990s, Bucilla employed about 300 people.
The Bucilla products are distributed through department, hobby and craft stores and are sold at a factory outlet in the Humboldt park.
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