The History of The Dumouchel Paper Company

The Dumouchel Paper Company has been serving Waterbury and it's community with paper and janitorial products since 1881. Originally named Hotchkiss Paper and owned by E.M. Hotchkiss, deliveries were made by horse and wagon to companies in western Connecticut as far away as Torrington and upper Litchfield County.

Romeo Dumouchel came to work for Hotchkiss as the Bookkeeper shortly after the turn of the century. His brother Henry became Warehouse Foreman and then a delivery man soon thereafter. Romeo eventually bought out Hotchkiss and incorporated the Company as the Dumouchel Paper Company in 1917. Romeo was then President and his brother Henry, Vice President.

As the area serviced by Dumouchel grew, so did the Company and it's reputation. Dumouchel Paper became the main source for many business' supply needs in Connecticut. Dumouchel survived the difficult years of both world wars, especially World War II as there was little product available for distribution.

In 1946, Romeo had a warehouse full of sick drivers and workers and asked William Perriello, a young man dating his daughter Margaret, to come down to the warehouse and help out. William and Margaret married that year. 

Romeo Dumouchel died in 1953 leaving Dumouchel Paper in the hands of his wife Miriam. William and his brother-in-law, Francis Martin, became Executive Vice-President and Treasurer/Secretary respectively, working with their mother-in-law, Mrs. Dumouchel, who was then President.

The flood of 1955 in Waterbury Connecticut had much of downtown underwater for weeks. Many of the employees had to wade into the basement of their Canal Street location salvaging what they could of their merchandise. Shortly thereafter, the present location on Benedict Street was found and the Company moved.

In July of 1981, Harold Sullivan purchased The Company from the Dumouchel family. Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan were President and Vice President respectively. Mr. Perriello and Mr. Martin remained employees for a few short years after the sale to the Sullivan family in order to best transition the purchase. Mr. Perriello's son John began working for Dumouchel's Sales Department after the sale of Dumouchel. Today, John Perriello is the only member of the Dumouchel staff who is connected to the Dumouchel name.

Mrs. Sullivan established the Dumouchel Warehouse Showroom Store in 1984 which is still in operation and open to the public. The Showroom Store was designed to help customers find the appropriate supplies for their business needs and allow walk-in customers to buy items in bulk. Party and gift wrapping supplies are also popular items for the Showroom.

In October of 1996, the oldest Sullivan son, Wayne, took over the position of President and Mr. Sullivan has continued with Dumouchel as Chief Executive Officer. The Sullivan family has maintained the business with the sincerity of a family and attention to service expected by it's customers.

The Showroom Store operates under the close supervision and care of Mrs. Sullivan who remains active in the business. Bob Mulhern, current Warehouse Manager, married Mr. & Mrs. Sullivan's oldest daughter and has been with Dumouchel since 1988. Also that year Neil, the youngest Sullivan, began working for Dumouchel part time and is currently an Account Manager on the Sales Team.

Copyright ©1998 Dumouchel Paper Company