Info wanted from Ohio guys

[Alvy]

Just curious about something I looked up today. Just got done rebuilding and reinstalling my k301 on my 128. Been test driving around to work out the bugs with the kids in tow and noticed a little tag on my dash tin, saying "Findlay Industries". Looks like it was owned by them at one time.

Sorry to see however after googling them that this almost billion dollar American company looks to be out of business now, started by a man in 1959. Got me thinking real hard about my company that I work for, same stats, now worldwide, also family owned and based out of Ohio, hopefully never following suit. I hope I'm wrong on the info online but it looks like this place isn't around anymore.

Looking for info just based out of curiosity if anyone here knows of this place, they made automotive and heavy truck parts.

Getting really bummed anymore seeing these American companies invented by true pioneers and entrepreneurs becoming another statistic these days. No rant here, just hearing of too many ghost towns that used be booming with industry and sad about it.

[J-Mech]

Sounds like the story of IH.

I pick up as many books on IH and Cub Cadet as I can. I've read (own) Barbara Marsh's book, A Corporate Tragedy , and recently picked up Red Combines, by Lee Klancher. Both paint this story of pioneering and "true grit" by the guys at Harvester, only to fail from within. The story of IH is truly saddening as they were such an awesome company in the pioneering they did. Reading now how the Axial Flow was developed is just mind boggling. I had no idea it took them nearly 30 years to design and perfect it, or that the engineering department hid their work from corporate by using money designated as "miscellaneous", until they nearly perfected it. Some of the "engineers" weren't even trained engineers. They apprenticed under good ones, and they gave them the title of "engineer" while working for IH.

I've read books on Chrysler, Ford, and GM. My favorite one was Lee Iacocca's Where Have All the Leaders Gone. It's just amazing where he came from: His history at Ford, and what he did with Chrysler. If you haven't read any of these books, take the time. They are really good.

Sorry. This doesn't answer any of your questions, but I "feel your pain". It is so sad that IH failed in such a big way, when they pioneered so much. The McCormick family was beyond wealthy in their day. Millionaires when that term was unheard of.

[DeltaCub]

Thank you for sharing those book titles...I need to read them!

[J-Mech]

Originally Posted by DeltaCub

Thank you for sharing those book titles...I need to read them!

If you like to read, I also have 50 years of Cub Cadet, by Oscar H. Will III. It is honestly very boring compared to the other books mentioned, but has a TON of information in it. The development of the Cub Cadet in the beginning is the most interesting. The rest is just tons and tons of info.
Anything by Ken Updike is great. I have his International Tractors 1955-1985, and it's full of information and great archive photos. I need to get the book he wrote on Cub Cadets.

[RLause]

Here is an article from The Toledo Blade 12 years ago.

http://www.toledoblade.com/local/200...ndustries.html