During a stressful era of world unrest, Alexander Lipetz with his brothers Sam and Emanuel emigrated from Eastern Europe, through Western Europe and landed in New York with a host of other immigrants.  They brought with them their education and a keen sense of the raw materials needed for the electronic business.

UMC was formed initially as an importer and distributor of Raw Mica Splitting’s (thus the Mineral part of the name).  Mica was considered as a strategic mineral in those days as it was used as an insulator, not only in common household devices (such as fuses), but for many military weapons as well. UMC was a valued partner of the USA government initiative whereby the Stockpile was formed.

For the ensuing 40 years, located on Hudson Street in Manhattan, UMC rode the wave of products that went from the Electrical Industry, to the Electronics Industry, and finally onto the new age of the semi-conductor.  During this time period, many overseas producers of materials viewed the US market as a place ready for their products, but they had no way to introduce them without help.

UMC, who had become well known for their ability to import, market and distribute sophisticated products, became a welcome partner to these overseas makers, in many industries, not just semi-conductors.  As the need for pigments, chemicals and plastic additives grew, so did the portfolio of UMC products.