Alfred Pollack, president and founder of National Chemical Laboratories, Inc., passed away on July 10, 2003, after a long illness. He was a pioneer in the sanitary maintenance industry, and a man who embodied the true spirit of entrepreneurship. With a keen interest in chemistry, he began his career by making hair shampoos in his basement for the family's beauty salon and for beauty supply distributors. He served his country during World War II in the China, India and Burma theater.

With a relentless drive, enthusiasm and determination that marked his life, Mr. Pollack founded NCL after the war ended in 1946 and guided the company to a position of industry leadership, with its products today being distributed in more than 40 countries worldwide. Always interested in developing new and innovative product systems, Mr. Pollack developed chemical formulas during the past 50 years that have become the standard for the sanitary maintenance industry. His zeal for creating the most efficient manufacturing and production systems (at the company's headquarters and operations center in Philadelphia) was evidenced by the high level of product quality control and thousands of satisfied customers. Mr. Pollack's dedication and industrious nature have been an inspiration to his family, friends, employees and associates.

Mr. Pollack is survived by his wife of 47 years, Sonya; sons Harry, Kenneth and Daniel; a daughter, Helena Sultan; and 11 grandchildren.