Upper-level management at Tri-Borough Plastics.

S1E7 - In a meeting to discuss production delays caused by Dow Chemical, Curtis and Lawrence say that there’s nothing to be done about it, but Joel proposes that Tri-Borough Plastics ought to cut out the middleman and become their own suppliers. Curtis and Lawrence try to laugh it off, but Doug loves the idea and gives it a greenlight.

CURTIS: East Coast is exactly where we want it. But, the West Coast operation is in disarray, and they say it's all due to supply.
LAWRENCE: The chain is gridlocked, and it's not seasonal anymore, it's year-round.
CURTIS: Dow Chemical's scrambling for supplies themselves… phenolic resin, formaldehyde… they can't get enough.
DOUG: Just pour some formaldehyde on a rag and hold it over my face.
CURTIS: Their chief scientists say there are breakthroughs within sight, but that's all they'll say.
LAWRENCE: “Within sight”? That's nice and vague.
DOUG: Any suggestions?
LAWRENCE: There's nothing to do, boss.
CURTIS: Except get in line and wait our turn.
JOEL: And hope we don't go out of business first.
CURTIS: Excuse me?
JOEL: We can't just wait. Everything'll come to a complete stop.
LAWRENCE: What do you suggest, Maisel?
JOEL: Let's acquire the supply.
DOUG: What was that?
JOEL: We can't control our supply of chemicals if we can't control the supplier. So… let's become the supplier.
CURTIS: And how would that work? We buy Union Carbide?
JOEL: We start small, Curtis. We acquire a local lab. We dig through universities for talent. We got a few of those in New York.
DOUG: A few.
JOEL: We hire our own technicians, our own scientists. We build our own chain and become our own suppliers. They turn chemicals into plastic, and we turn plastic into toys and coasters. Hell, let's make the chemicals, too.
DOUG: Life magazine says conglomerates are the future. Francis, call Chase Manhattan. Let's take some baby steps. Set up a line of credit, see what's out there. And we need to call the West Coast, give 'em a heads-up. Curtis, give 'em a buzz.
– S1E7

7. Put That On Your Plate!

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