History of Autolite Spaark Plug Plant

(Contents) -Three -
Preface	1
Prologue	2
An Idea	3
"Parent Firm" of the Autolite S P	4
Production Starts	5
"Unions" in the Fostoria Plant	6
The War Years	7
Fostoria S. P. Purchased by Ford Motor Co.	8
More Expansion	9
Expansion Pictures	10
Ford Versus United States Government	11
Fostoria Spark Plant For Sale	12
Bendix Years	13
Epilogue	14
Interesting note; Former resident of Fostoria & Arcadia, Ohio C.O. Miniger Founder of Auto-lite Company	15

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(8) Fostoria Spark Plug Plant Purchased by Ford Motor Company

The fortunes, of the Electric Autolite Company and the Fostoria Spark Plug Division had been deteriorating since1959. The principal customer, Chrysler, had experienced hard times, and other customers, such as Nash, Hudson, willys Overland, Packard, etc., were going out of business or merging with others. Leadership at Chrysler had changed and it became its desire to manufacture as many of its own products as possible. They had been nogotiating with the “parent” plant, Electric Autolite Company of Toledo, for the starter, voltage regulator, generator, distributor, etc. and also investigating the possibility of purchasing these items from other sources. This affected the Fostoria division, inasmuch as the spark plug was usually sold as part of a “package deal”. Autolite’s rivals were attempting to sell spark plugs to the entire Electric Autolite Corporation had passed to New York financiers. All these conditions combined made the Fostoria plant’s position critical.

Secret negotiations were entered into by Ford Motor Company with Electric Autolite to purchase from them certain assets. This would be beneficial to Ford, as it was hopeful that it would enter the lucrative “after-market’ business in a very strong way.

On Wednesday April 12,1961 at 3:30 A.M. EST, the following news item was to be released: “following is a statement by Henry Ford II, chairman of the Board of Ford Motor Company, and Robert H. Davies, President of the Electric Autolite Company, Toledo O.

“The companies also have entered in an agreement under which Electric Autolite will sell a substantial volume of automotive parts to Ford.

“The plants purchased by Ford are a battery plant located at Owosso, Mich., and a spark plug plant at Fostoria, O. Ford plans to continue production at both locations.

“The Electric Autolite company will continue to manufacture and market spark plugs and batteries, and other automotive products, including electrical products, wire and die castings, for sale to automotive manufacturers and others, for both original equipment and replacement. These products will be sold primarily under trade names of The Electric Autolite Company, such as “Prest-O-Lite” and “Rebat”. or under trade names owned by its customers.

“Spark plug manufacture will be conducted by The Electric Autolite company at the plant of its subsidiary at Sarnia, Ont., and at an additional assembly facility which The Electric Autolite Company is planning in another location in the United States. Automotive battery manufacture willbe continued at other Electric Autolite Company plants including five in the United States: at Vincennes, ind., Reading, Palk; Atlanta, Ga.; Oklahoma City, Okla.; and Oakland, Calif. Electrical products will continue to be made at The Electric Autolite Company’s various other plants.

“Included in the purchase by Ford are certain patents and license rights and the rights to the trade name ‘Autolite’, except in Canada, Brazil and Venezuela where The Electric Autolite Company will continue to distribute under the ‘Autolite’ trade name. In addition, Electric Autolite will continue to supply spark plugs and batteries under the ‘Autolite’ trade name to its original equipment manufacturer customers.

“Electric Autolite also will make available to Ford its sales organization for distributing in the replacement market spark plugs, batteries and electrical products. With the help of this organization, Ford will sell spark plugs, batteries and electrical products bearing the ‘Autolite’ brand name to distributors and other independent outlets.

“The transaction, which involved the payment by Ford of approximately $28,000,000 in cash, was authorized by the Boards of the two companies.”

After this announcement, each employee at the Fostoria plant received the following letter from Mr. Henry Ford II;

“April 12,1961

“To: Electric Auto-lite Company Salaried
Employees Owosso and Fostoria Plants
and Designated Sales and Engineering
Activities

“Ford Motor Company today has purchased certain assets of The Electric Auto-Lite Company used in connection with spark plug operations at Fostoria, Ohio, and its battery operation at Owosso, Michigan, and has received assignments of certain Electric Auto-lite company Parts Distribution agreements.

“It is natural, of course, that your immediate reaction to this announcement may be one of concern over the effect of the change upon your employment status. The primary purpose of this letter is to inform you about the plans of Ford Motor Company with respect to the opportunities which will be afforded you as a result of the purchase.

“First, with almost no exceptions, all of The Electric Auto-Lite company employees involved will be given the opportunity of continuing in their present capacities at their present salaries which, beginning tomorrow, will be paid by Ford Motor Company. It is our sincere hope that you will accept this opportunity.

“ Second,Ford Motor company will credit you with your length of service with The Electric Auto-Lite Company. It is our intent to treat you, foremost employee benefit purposes as though you had been employed by Ford Motor Company since your employment date with The Electric Auto-Lite Company.

“Third, you may become eligible to participate in all of the many benefits programs for salaried employees because we know that very few companies in the entire country can match them. Further, we are endeavoring to make arrangements that will transfer your creditable service under Electric Auto-Lite Pension Plan to the Ford Retirement Plan so as to minimize the effect that your change of employment will have on your retirement benefits. Arrangements have also been made so that there will be no gap in insurance and hospitalization coverage, if you enroll under Ford’s insurance program.

“We realize that you will have many questions not touched upon in this letter concerning what employment with Ford will mean to you. In the near future, therefore, you will be given an opportunity to talk with a representative of Ford about the company’s policies and benefit plans. In the meantime the attached booklet, “Going Places With Ford”, which is furnished to all Ford Salaried personnel, should acquaint you with the general provisions of some of our major personnel programs. We urge you to read it carefully.

“We know that Ford is the kind of organization that most people want to be associated with, and that you , too will find employment with Ford both challenging and rewarding.

Henry Ford II

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(9) More Expansion

From the time Ford Motor Company took over as owner of the Fostoria Spark Plug Plant, there was constant pressure for better quality and more plugs.

It was obvious to the directors of the firm that the Ford sales Group ws really selling the merchandise, and it was essential that the organization do its part and procure the best quality spark plugs to meet the challenge. All methods had to be constantly improved, so that the products could be manufactured at competitive prices.

In order to have better control on costs and quality, a systematic plan was initiated to bring all parts’ manufacturing operations into Fostoria. To reduce cost of the manufacture of each component, new easy, such as “cold-forming” the shells and “glass-sealing” the center electrodes into the insulators, were developed to a very high degree. It was the idea to combine various operations in producing component parts to avoid handling, so that once a part was placed onto a conveyor line, it never stopped until it was assembled and placed in the shipping carton. Ford Motor Company was very receptive to these proposals, and the conditions were right to accept these plans.

As previously mentioned, immediately on “takeover” of the company by Ford Motor , expansion of production floor space was necessary. In the years 1962, 1965, 1966,and 1968 major additions were made.

An interesting ceremony took place in May, 1965 when The Honorable James A. Rhodes, Governor of Ohio, helped Ford officials break ground for the new million dollar Administration Building. Assisting were Richard L. Krabach, state Finance Director, and Phil D. Brubaker, Mayor of Fostoria. This was the first time for Ford Motor without also constructing a manufacturing plant. This modern structure replaced the old Peabody Buggy Works Company building that had previously been revamped and had served as an Administration Building from 1936 to 1966. Now the old building was demolished, and Fostoria lost one of its oldest landmarks.

For the company, this new addition increased its floor space by 90,000 square feet, and allowed for more products to be produced.

In the Ford years of April 13, 1961 to October, 1973, there were made, one billion, six hundred ninety-one million, seven hundred eighty three thousand (1,691,783,000) spark plugs; twenty-four million, fifty thousand (24,050,000) PCV valves; fifteen million (15,000,000) water temperature switches; and twenty-eight million seven hundred thousand (28,700,00) rotor stops. In contrast, the spark plugs made under the Electric Autolite Company, 1936 through April 13, 1961 were nine hundred thirty-seven million, five hundred thousand (937,500,000).

May 10,1967 was an outstanding day for the plant and the city. The “cutting of the ribbon” and dedication the completed Administration building took place. The speaker for the occasion was Mr. F. P. Neuenschwander, State Development Department Director. Representing the owner were: C. H. Patterson, Executive Vice-President, Ford Motor Company; Clinton D. York, General Manager, General Parts Division; John McDougall, Assistant Manager, General Parts Division; and W. E Scollard, General Operations Manager, General Parts Division. Mayor George W. Peeler proclaimed the week or May 7, 1967 as “Ford in Fostoria Week”

By this time employment had risen to 1,600 persons; the annual payroll being approximately $11,000,000; production of spark plugs was up to 126,000,000 per year; and the spark plug plant was responsible for purchases amounting to $13,800,000.

It was no wonder that from the days of apprehension in early 1961, when Ford Motor company purchased the Spark Plug Plant, that Fostoria and surrounding communities came to look upon this outstanding plant as one of the best places to work, and indeed the prosperity of the factory was felt through out the whole northwestern part of Ohio.

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(10) Expansion Pictures

Peabody119thCentury.jpg

Autolite1949.jpg	Autolite1952.jpg	Autolite1962.jpg
OH.GovatGroundBreak.jpg	EmployeesGroundBreak.jpg	OldBuilding1966.jpg
Demolition1966.jpg	NewOfficeBuilding.jpg	EngineeringWing1975.jpg

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(11) Ford Motor Company Versus United States Government

Author's Comment: The full account of the Ford Spark Plug Divestiture Court suit can be found and read in the files donated by me to the Fostoria Kaubish Memorial Public Library, along with a complete copy of this text (Book).

On November 28, 1961 a jolting press release came out as follows:

"FORD, AUTOLITE EXPRESS SURPRISE AT KENNEDY SUIT DETROIT (UPI)

Officials of the Ford Motor Co. and Electric Autolite Co. today expressed agreement that there was "no violation" of Antitrust laws last spring when Ford paid $28 million for certain assets of the Toledo, Ohio firm.

William T. Gossett, Ford vice president and general counsel, and Robert H. Davies, president of Autolite, expressed similar reactions to the suit filed in federal court her Monday. Atty. Gen. Robert F. Kennedy, who announced the Justice Department's action in Washington, asked federal court here to order Ford to sell the firm. The two companies were charged with violating the anti-merger provisions of the Clayton Antitrust Act. They were named defendants in the civil action.

Gossett said, "The suit comes as a great surprise to me. The acquisition was made only after thorough consideration of the legal questions within the company, and by outside counsel as well.

Attorneys Approved Transaction

He said the company had received a written opinion from attorneys that the transaction would not lessen competition or tend to create a monopoly.

Ford did not make spark plugs or batteries before the acquisition of Autolite, Gossett said, although Ford's chief competitor, General Motors, makes both. He cited GM's AC Spark Plug Division and Delco-Remy, another GM subsidiary which manufactures batteries as well as other automotive products.

"Ford acquired the "Autolite" trade name, its spark plug plant at Fostoria, Ohio . and its battery plant at Owosso, Mich.,and also took over most of Autolite sales organization in the purchase," Gossett said.

Davies said Autolite had not been `officially notified` of the government suit filed in an effort to force Ford to dispose of its holdings. He said "it was his opinion that the transaction `was not in conflict with the antitrust laws`"

Even though the bad news was in evidence, Ford continued to operate the Fostoria Spark Plug Plant feeling the legal battles would be hurdled, and so continued to ressure management that there was no cause for alarm.

On January 18, 1967 the press release was this: (Detroit Free Press)

"COURT HEARS TRUST SUIT AGAINST FORD"

A five year old anti-trust suit against the Ford Motor Co. went to trial Tuesday before federal Judge Ralph M. Freeman.

The federal government is asking Judge Freeman to order Ford to sell Electric Autolite Co., which the automaker bought in April, 1961 for $28 million.

The Department of Justice asserted that competition in the battery and spark plug business `may be substantially lessened` by the purchase. it also said the purchase might tend to create a monopoly.

The first day of the trial was confined to opening arguments. The trial is expected to last about four weeks.

Attorney William H McManus represented the government, and Attorney Jerome O. Shapiro was counsel for the Ford Motor Company.

On June 12,1968 the following come out in The Wall Street Journal:

FORD ACQUISITIONS VIOLATED ANTITRUST LAW, COURT RULES

More info. on this matter can be read in Mr. Richardson's Book found at the
Fostoria Kaubish Memorial Public Library

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(12) Fostoria Spark Plug Plant For Sale

The Supreme Court decision of 1972 made it mandatory that Ford Motor Company sell the Fostoria Spark Plug Plant, and to do so, the owner faced certain rules laid down by the court. The problem was to find a buyer who could adhere to all the conditions. Stipulations were that Ford had to relinquish the manufactory in 18 months, and it was required to purchase from the new proprietor, a minimum of 50 percent of its spark plug requirements for five years.

The new processor was faced with many problems--it was buying a modern factory with the manufacturing capabilities, but minus a sales organization that could compete with the other two big companies. The fact was that the three major producers of spark plugs controlled 90 percent of the market, with Autolite the smallest. Anyone securing Autolite would be faced with the situation that Ford would be a captive customer for at least five years. Traditionally, profits in the spark plug business had come, not the installation of the plugs in new cars, but from the replacement in old cars. This required distribution in thousands of service stations and repair shops. Very few customers, then and now, ask for spark plugs by brand name. Mechanic seemingly have always made for their customers the decision of the type of plugs to use. In most cased, the spark plugs are replaced by the brand formerly used in the car. Hence, it was necessary that the new purchaser have an aggressive sales system that could deal in the replacement market, and could furnish plugs to Ford's Motorcraft Division, which supplied genuine replacement parts in their own "after-market" distribution. The company also should be capable of servicing other engineering producers not related to Ford .

The announcement that the Fostoria plant was for sale brought forth a listing that exceeded over 100 potential buyers, who were most anxious to bid for the facility. One of the most unique proposals was made by the citizens of Fostoria, who were very apprehensive of the future of the factory and its employees. Fostoria community Industrial Association, headed by Floyd Weber, a prominent businessman of the city, instituted a group that was named "Fostoria Spark Plug Company". This organization was duly registered with the Secretary of the State of Ohio.

May 17, 1971, the local paper the Fostoria Review Times, printed the following:

The `heart` of the Fostoria plan was to demonstrate the community's enthusiasm and support for a continued strong, competitive employer and spark plug manufacturer to replace Ford at the helm of the local plant. This support could be demonstrated by purchasing subscription rights to the new Fostoria Spark Plug Company. With the community actively participating in the new company, residents were optimistic that an agreement could be reached with the Ford Motor Company to purchase the local plant and the Autolite name.

The plan also included the active participation of a major corporation, not yet selected, which must have the management, financial, and marketing capabilities necessary to assure a continued success of the spark plug plant as an employer and a good corporate member of the Fostoria community.

The preliminary prospectus revealed that $5,000,000 of subscription rights would be offered solely to persons in the Fostoria area for a period of 30 days after SEC approval. After the initial 30 day period, any remaining rights would be offered to the public generally. Each subscription right was priced at ten dollars and would permit the owner to exchange each right without further payment of one share of common stoch in the Fostoria Spark Plug Company, in the event that the company is successful in purchasing the Autolite assets from Ford.

The Moines realized from the sale of the subscriptions were deposited in a Fostoria bank, with the under standing that if the plan was not successful, the subscribers would be refunded for their investment amounts. The interest earned on the proceeds held in escrow was used to offset expenses involved in the offering and the effort to purchase theAutolite assets.

The prime inspired movers behind this whole plan were Richard H. Carter, Floyd C. Weber, and Robert J. Fast, who enlisted the Jaycees organization to handle the sale of the subscriptions for the newly organized group. Many local companies expressed their desire to participate, by announcing that they would buy a Fostoria Spark Plug Company subscription right for each of their employees.

The first person to buy a subscription right from Art Meyers, Chairman of the Board of Jaycees and Vice-President of the Fostoria Spark Plug Company, was Mayor Dale Mills of the city. Robert E. Hunter, Chairman of the Board of Wetherhead Company of Cleveland flew into Fostoria, and expressed interest in joining the community investors to acquire the local plant from Ford.

The subscription units of the Fostoria Spark Plug Company well, and intrest was evident by Ford Motor Company, in announcing that the newly formed company would be the first of more than 100 interested buyers to be given a hearing before the "parent" Ford Company. Robert Fast, President of Tri-Coungy National Bank and Secretary-Treasurer of the Fostoria Spark Plug Company, said that the hearing of this newly formed local company probably would be in early August, 1972.

On January 16, 1973, this article appeared in the Fostoria Review-Times:
Bids for the purchase of the Ford Motor Spark Plug Plant here are now being considered, Ford officials said thes morning. The cut-off date for bids was originally January 4, but istwas extented to January 15. In a statement released this morning, Paul Prill, Executive Director of Supply Staff, Ford Motor Company, Dearborn Michigan, said "In our continuing exploration of the various divestiture alternatives, we have received proposals from several companies. These proposals will be reviewed and evaluated as part of our study of this matter. No dicision has been made at this time, however, nor do we expect to announce a decision for several months".

Six companies are reported as front-runners for the quest for the local spark plug plant. They are North American Rockwell Company, headquarters in Pittsburg; Eaton corporation, Cleveland, Ohio; Allied Chemical, a New York Based firm; Bendix Corporation, headquarters in Southfield, Michigan; Essex International;and Scovill Manufacturing Company, of Connecticut.

Richard Carter, President of Fostoria Corporation,said this morning:`Fostoria Spark Plug Company also may have a role to play in the final disposition of the local spark plug plant. We are not dead by any means," Carter said--" if we didn't feel this way, we'd have terminated the Fostoria Spark Plug company and refunded the subscribers money which is now being held in escrow".

From January 1973 through June 1973, delegations of each of the potential buyers for Ford's Fostoria Plant came to Fostoria to look at the facilities and meet the local management team that was to remain and operate the plant after the sale. These delegations consisted of the top executive officers of each corporation. with out exception, every possible purchaser highly complimented the Plant Manager and staff for having an exceptionally well-functioning, orderly, and clean factory.

When the bids were received by Ford, they were evaluated, The corporation that seemed to fit more closely the conditions that the seller needed, to continue Fostoria as a prime supplier, was the Bendix Corporation of Southfield, Michigan.

There was great speculation and many rumors from the press and national union UAW-CIO that bendix was to be the new owner of the Spark Plug Plant. However, on June 10, 1973, Duane Richardson, the Plant Manager, noted: "I have no comment on the UAW's information because to my knowledge no agreement has been signed yet between Ford and any party. The most recent rumors claim the field of potential buyers has been narrowed to Bendix and North American Rockwell."

Continual comments of the pending sale and possible new owner kept Fostoria's population and factory employees in a constant state of concern. An offical declaration was made on August 28, 1973, by Ford Motor Company and Bendix Corporation, that the latter would buy Autolite. This culminated several weeks of negotiations, The "intent to purchase" agreement had to be submitted to the United States Justice Department for approval. Part of the Bendix conditions was that a new three year contract in total would be assumed by Bendix. Ford and Bendix agreed on a ten year contract, under which the new holder would supply all of Ford's spark plugs for the United States original equipment and "after-market" needs, as well as Canadian original equipment spark plug requirements. Spark Plugs sold to Ford wouldbear the Autolite trademark for at least five years, This agreement originally set forth the date of October 14,1973, as the "take-over" date by Bendix, but the time was postponed and rescheduled, due to technicalities, until the final date of December 1, 1973 when the sale was finalized.

With thepurchase announcement by Ford and Bendix, Richard Cargter stated that the mneyreceived in thesale of subvscription rights for the Fostoria Spark Pllug Company would be returned to the purchasers in two or three weeks, andhereto disolved the company. This was accomplished in October, 1973.

Consequences of the turmoil and the feelings of insecurity created by the length of time for thedisposal and transfer of the Ford Spark Plug Plant in Fostoria were that certain persons, who were nearing retirement, felt they would be more secure if they could transfer to Ford in Sandusky, Ohio. When Ford moved the prodution line for the manufacture of temperature switches and emission control valves to Sandusky, these people exercised seniority and all other rights under the Ford contract. More than 50 persons took advantage of this situation and commuted daily to work in Sandusky.

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(13) Bendix Years

Saturday, December 1, 1973 began a new era for the Fostoria Spark Plug Plant. Even though this day of change in owership had been anticipated for nearly ten years, the fact that it was about to take place seemed most unreal. Bendix Corporation did not decend upon Fostoria as did Ford Motor Company.

During the interim while the sale conditions for the factory were being reviewed by the Justice Department of the United States, the existing Management was at liberty to become acquainted with the new owners's officals, and tentative plans were made for the final "take-over". at the plant, it was business as usual with Ford, although mounting pressures were felt from all areas to treat Fostoria as an out-side supplier, rather than one of the Ford "family".

If it had not been for the experience of the local plant officials to assume duties that were "dropped" by Ford, and not possible to be legally assumed by Bendix Corporation, there would have been considerable turmoil, and probable disruption of production.

Before actual possession Bendix was going through the efforts to fit spark plugs into its organization, as well as being most concerned with profitable "after-market" sales

However, on Monday, December 3, 1973, the offical announcement of the purchase of the Fostoria Autolite Spark Plug Plant and "Autolite" trademark from the Ford Motor Company was made by Robert Hungate, President of Bendix Automotive group. He also announced that the Fostoria operation was now to be known as the Bendix Autolite Corporation, and it would be a wholly owned subsidiary of Bendix Corporation, Southfield, Michigan.

Duane Richardson, Manager of the Spark Plug Plant for Ford, was to continue to head the local management team, and would serve as Vice-President and General Manager. The Bendix Corporation structure was vastly different from the plant's previous experience under Ford Motor Company. In the Bendix Corporation, W. Michael Blumenthal was Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer; Willian Agee and Charles Donnelly were Executive Vice-Presidents; and William Miron, Operation President. Robert Hungate, who reported to William Miron, was to serve as President of the new entity and Thomas J Bush, a Bendix Vice-President and Group Manager, would be Executive Vice-President. Bendix Autolite Corpration would be an operating unit of the Automotive Group, and part of the Power and Engine Sub-groupings, for which Mr Bush was responsible.

A plan devised by Bendix was to set up a Parts Distribution center and Sales Organization operating in Jackson, Tennessee, to sell Automotive replacement parts.

The existing owner was not well established in the automotive "after-market" sales or advertising, and its efforts to add spark plugs to items to be sold caused great difficulty. No one in Bendix had the knowledge required for the advertising and merchandising of spark plugs, until the company hired James Cooley, who attemped to set up the "after-market" distribution for spark plugs at the Tennessee Distribution center.

The feelings of Bendix personnel as to the Fostoria "take-over" was well expressed in a letter writter in a Bendix special supplement pamphlet of December3, 1973, entitled "Welcome to Bendix" by W.Michael Blumenthal:

"Dear Bendix Autolite Corporation Employee:

Now that you are curious about the nature of Bendix, we have prepared this special issue of the corporate newspaper, Bendix Today, which describes the many activities of the corporation, how it got where it is today and the course it is taking for the furture.

"Why did Bendix buy Autolite?

How will you fit into the Bendix corporate structure?

How will your marketing and engineering be handled?

How and under what names will your spark plugs be marketed?

Will you expand your production?

More specifically,what will this new association mean for the employees of Bendix Autolite Corporation?

It is a bit early, perhaps, to answer these questions in detail, butI think some gereral points can be made.

Many of you perhaps are wondering already whether you get a discount on the purchase of a new Bendix washing machine.

Before proceeding any further, let me first advise all of you that there is no suchthing as a washing machine produced by the Bendix Corporation, nor any other type of home appliance.

That incorrect notion goes back 30 years to a company called the Bendix Home Appliance Company which had no formal relationship with The Bendix Corporation and which eventually was absorbed by Philco-Ford.

While we don't make washing machines, I think there is a certain poetic justice in the association, because the so-called Bendix washer was noted as an innovative, well-engineered, top-quality product.

And if there is any common thread typing ourcorporation's diverse activities together, it is that--we develop and manufacture innovative, well-engineered, top-quality products.

That of course is a major reason we opened negotiations with Ford Motor Company when we learned of the Autolite divestiture. We were well aware of your reputationas a supplier of top-quality spark plugs.

This coupled with the fact that Autolite is an attractive business and a natural addition to our present product lines led us to the decision to acquire your operation.

No major changes are contemplated for Autolite. the operation will continue under the direction of Duane E Richardson.

We have had a good look at your local management team and we like what we have learned about them and other key personnel. Consequently, we are urging everone to stay because we need their experience and expertise.

Your local management, of course, will receive all of the support and backup from Bendix which we can provide.

Bendix Autolite will be an operating unit of the Bendix Automotive Group and will be a member of the sup-group, the Power and Engine Components Group.

This group is composed of five other operations which produce fuel management systems, such as carburetors and electronic fuel injection, and ignition parts and componints.

As a member of the Power and Engine Components Group, Autolite's major marketing and engineering operations will be located at Troy, Mich. headquarters of the group.

We do expect to expand production and to penetrate the spark plug market even further.

The most important question, however, regards the meaning of this acquisition to you as an emplouyee of Bendix Autolite.

Only experience can prove to you that the move is in your best interests.

What Bendix expects from its people can be summed up in one word: performance.

In return, bendix offers a good and rewarding outlet for your energies, your skills, and your ambitions.

Bendix can broaden your opportunities.

You are now part of a world wide organization of some 88,000 people engaged in a variety of assignments.

Advancemennt at Bendix is based solely on ability and potential without regard to any other factors unrelated to your professional achievements.

The coropration also maintains a growing number of programs to enhance the health, education, and cultural enrichment of our employees, their families, and the communities in which they live.

Again, let me welcome you to our corporate family. I am looking forward to a long and prosperous association.

W.Michael Blumenthal
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer"

Author's Comment: (In 1976, W. Michael Blumenthal left Bendix Corporation at the request of the newly elected United States President, Jimmie Carter, to serve as Secetary of theTreasury.)

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(14) Epilogue

June 1976 Completed more than forty years for the author in the spark plug industry. He saw Fostoria Spark Plug Plant grow from zero Production to over a million spark plugs per day: realized the total manufacturing mark of over three billion; guided the introduction of many new items to be produced in the factory; planned for orderly expansion of volume and production techniues; pioneered "cold-forming" of spark plug shells; witnessed continous "glass sealing" methods of the insulator connected to uninterrupted final operations of the plugs; researched the best means for forming a powder, the insulator of the spark plug, to a perpetual automated process; developed the computer as a "tool in Planning Production; controlled inventories of the raw materials; managed work in procedure; governed inventories of "tooling and finished product; observed the National Union's drive for reorganization; aided the sale of the plant twice to new owners,using entirely different management controls; operated the plant through World War II, Korean War, and Viet Nam War; led the factory through perod of material shortages; supported vast changes in engine designs and power output; and confronted manys ocial and economic changes within the business, brought about through political regulations and ethics.

The writer viewed, over the years, the achievement of many performance awards presented to the Fostoria Spark Plug Division for its excllence in manufacturing procedures, safety objuctives, and profit goals. He particpated in many civic activities that brought recognition to the company. He evidenced the first small kiln and laboratory of 1936 progress to the present large efficient operation of Bendix Autolite Corporation .

It has been impossible to narrate all the happenings over so much time, and there are surely many events that have been unintentionally left unwritten.

It seemed to the author like "leaving home", to turn over the "reigns: to someone else. However, his philosophy paid off, of training managerial personnel in more than one area, for now there were persons who were capable of "stepping up" in the organization into every position. The author knew the plant was being placed in

"GOOD HANDS"

Production--Autolite Spark Plugs
(000’)

1936-------------------879 1976--- Not available Bendix

1937------------------4,825 1977--- Not available

1938------------------8,263 1978--- Not available

1939-----------------12,685 1979--- Not available

1940-----------------15,436 1980--- Not available

1941-----------------21,112 1981--- Not available

1942-----------------17,094 1982--- Not available

1943-----------------26,510 1983- Bendix Became part of Allied

1944-----------------30,511 1984- Not available-Bendix-Allied

1945-----------------25,937 1985-Sept. 18 Allied became Allied-Signal

1946-----------------41,076 1986--- Not available

1947-----------------47,517 1987--- Not available

1948-----------------40,052 1988--- Not available

1949-----------------36,584 1989--- Not available

1950-----------------40,583 1990--- Not available

1951-----------------44,326 1991--- Not available

1952-----------------54,493 1992--- Not available

1953-----------------52,364 1993--- Not available

1954-----------------43,165 1994--- Not available

1955-----------------57,868 1995--- Not available

1956-----------------54,604 1996--- Not available to us

1957---------------- 62,144 1997--- Not available to us

1958-----------------49,380 1998--- Not available to us

1959-----------------63,602 1999------------------

1960-----------------67,804 2000------------------

1961-----------------19,143---Parent Autolite Company

1961-----------------50,897---Ford after April 12

1962-----------------92,841---1st Billion 2/62

1963-----------------86,080

1964-----------------99,561

1965----------------114,272

1966----------------127,153

1967----------------114,798

1968----------------155,429

1969----------------164,044

1970----------------167,457 2nd Billion 4/22/70

1971----------------156,815

1972----------------188,270

1973----------------212,147

1974----------------217,588 BENDIX

1975----------------167,974 3rd Billion 9/4/75

Learn more about Autolite Spark Plugs
by visiting the ALLIED SIGNAL web site

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(15) Clement O. Miniger Founder of Auto-Lite Company

“As I was copying Mr. Duane Richardson’s Book about the beginnings of the Autolite Spark Plug Plant in Fostoria, Ohio. It occured to me it would also be interesting to know more about the Auto-Lite Company founder, What follows was taken from the Toledo Blade, April 24,1944. And the Fostoria Times the same date. I think you will find it interesting as I did.”

In 1911, Mr. C. O. Mininger purchased the patent rights to an electric auto-headlight invented by two men in Indiana. He then formed the Auto-liter Company, now called Autolite, and it has expanded to 22 plants in the United States and Canada. Successful in everything which he injected his personality, wisdom and vitality, the Electric Autolite stands as a monument to his organizing genius and capacity for developing ideas.

Mr. Miniger, known familiarly to his associates as “C. O.” was born in North East Pa. Nov. 11, 1874, the son of Mr. and Mrs Samuel O. Miniger. When he was a child the family moved to Arcadia, Handcock County, O., where Mr. Miniger’s father owned a handle factory.

Later the family went to Fostoria O., where the father conducted first a livery stable and later a roller-skating rink.

Educated in Fostoria

Mr. Miniger’s grade school education was obtained in Fostoria. But he did not complete his high school education, leaving in 1890 to become a pharmacy student in Chicago.

After remaining in school two years, he passed up an opportunity of becoming a drug clerk in Chicago and came to Toledo, where he entered the employ of Walding, Kinnan & Marvin, wholesale drug house, as a salesman.

It was while he was with this company that he first demonstrated his great ability as a salesman-a-talent that was to pay huge dividends in the future years.

For 10 years Mr. Miniger’s territory was northwest Ohio. In the summer he used a horse and buggy in the winter a horse and cutter. But no matter what the weather was Mr Miniger made his rounds. Even heavy snow drifts did not deter him and older merchants liked to recall that it was “that young Miniger” who would be the first to break through the blocked roads and reach his customers.

Even in his younger days, Mr. Miniger was farseeing and ambitious, believing that he was stymied in opportunity with the drug company, in 1902 he became a coal producer. He took over mines in Cambridge O., and established offices in Toledo.

Three years later he also became a paper manufacturer.

Then in 1911, believing in the automobile, then in its infancy, and its possibilities plus knowledge of an electric light, invented by two Indiana men, which he was sure would replace the gas light on automobilies. Mr. Miniger organized the Auto-liter Company. This was an instant success an employed nearly 1000 people in Toledo. Soon the company started expanding with the development of the electric starters, ignition equipment, later adding an extensive battery farm lighting division. After that many more automotive related companies were added to the Autolite family. A total of 22 at this time (1944)

At one time Mr.Miniger was an official or director in Toledo’s most prominent industries. Also among the many fine buildings he built or owned at one time in Toledo are the Hillcrest, the Bell building, and the B.R. Baker building, along with many other properties in downtown Toledo. His building managers always were under instructions to make improvements that would aid to the beauty of Toledo, and the comfort and convenience of the citizens.

He gave unstintingly of his wealth, that his fellow citizens might enjoy life a bit more fully, and one of his outstanding munificences was in presenting $300,000 to the building fund of the new Central Y.M.C.A. Almost every charitable organization in the city counted Mr. Miniger among its most magnanimous friends and patrons.

Mr. Miniger was not a sportsman in the accepted sense, but he was an ardent yachtsman He once owned the yacht called the Helene. (Purchased 1929)

Mr. Miniger died April 23, 1944 at the age of 69

(He had a brother Charles, and a sister, Mrs. James Sellers living in Fostoria at this time)