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jir^ston^ S3SW
February, 1963
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WORLD MARKETS, established by Firestone earned a second
“E’^ Award from the U. S. Department of Commerce. At right is new
Army vehicle designed to travel polar and desert wastes on Firestone
tires, typical of company products in use around the world.
INCREASED USE of newer Firestone products, such as Duplex
tire (left) and Met-L-Loy brake lining (right), helped make 1962 a
record sales year. Sales exceeded a billion dollars for the eighth
straight year and set an all-time record.
In addition, we will build another tire manufacturing plant on the
west coast for this rapidly-growing tire market.
These two new plants will materially increase our production cap
acity during 1963 and enable us to give our customers better service.
The Firestone Steel Products Company began production of stainless
steel containers, stainless steel automotive radiator grills and other
stampings at a new plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina. This new plant
further strengthens our competitive position.
In recent years it became evident that private brand tires were con
stantly increasing their share of the tire market. We realized that,
although the tire market was expanding, if Firestone were to continue
to grow, it would be necessary for us to produce private brand tires.
We organized our private brands department some four years ago
and we have been well pleased with the progress that has been made in
this area of tire sales.
Our Dealers Will Prosper
However, it must be recognized that the Firestone policy of dis
tributing Firestone brand tires through Firestone dealers and stores has
not in any way been changed. It is our belief that the independent tire
dealer who aggressively promotes the national brand label of his manu
facturer will also continue to grow and prosper because the market for
his tires is increasing and will continue to do so in the years ahead.
The year 1962 was one of healthy expansion in both dealer outlets
and Company-owned stores. Firestone dealers, in some instances, and
Firestone stores, in many others, have been able to obtain excellent loca
tions in many of the giant new shopping centers built last year, thus
increasing our selling opportunities.
Importance of Manpower
In our annual report, we have listed our assets in terms of cash,
land, buildings, fixtures, machinery and equipment. But, perhaps the one
most important asset that we have at Firestone, and have had down
through the years, does not appear as an item in this report. That item
is manpower — the manpower that plans, develops, manufactures, sells
and distributes our products.
Our optimism for the future is based not only on a growing and
expanding economy, but also upon this greater asset — the men and
women of Firestone who have grown and developed as our Company has
grown and developed, the men and women of Firestone who are so
essential to our goal as expressed in our motto; “Best Today — Still
Better Tomorrow,”
Just as we are prepared with the finest in manpower, in all the areas
of research, development, production, sales and finance, so also are
prepared for today and tomorrow with the finest in manpower in the
other important divisions of our business. We have an organization which
is noted throughout the industrial world for being dynamic and aler^'
and I assure you that we will keep it that way.
Trained For The Future
Our training programs continuously educate our younger employees
in all of our operations, assuring us of a reservoir of upcoming, skills'^
manpower for the future. In addition, our management training claS®
recruits the brightest prospects from the graduating classes of college®
and universities and prepares them for future management responsibili'
ties. We are dedicated to the principle of developing men who are eage^*
to accept the challenges of our many diversified interests, and we belieV®
that this constant preparation for the future will continue to keep ouf
Company out ahead in meeting the m'any opportunities that lie before
It is interesting to note that many of the men who hold key position^
in the Company today came into our organization through our college
recruitment program and they are graduates of our management traiP'
ing classes. Many of them have advanced step by step through the Coni'
pany to their present positions of responsibility and are, therefore^
thoroughly familiar with the operations of those whom they now supei*'
vise.
Meeting The Challenge
In the years to come, we plan to do our part in setting an example
of free enterprise in action. In this connection, we have just receive^
from the Secretary of Commerce, by direction of the President of
United States, the first E Award and flag to be given to a member of
rubber industry. This honor was bestowed on us in recognition of
efforts to increase our exports and thereby help to decrease the drain
our country’s gold reserves.
We are thinking and planning not only for the immediate futur^
but also far into the future. We are keeping our organization alert
flexible to meet whatever situations may arise. We plan to get our
share of the constantly growing market that is sure to come both
home and abroad.
We recognize that 1963 will be a year of both opportunity
challenge. We are prepared to take full advantage of every opportunity
and to meet any challenge with the finest quality products and with
divisions of our business soundly managed, enthusiastic and alert. Aii^’
with this combination, we face the new year with confidence and wi^^
optimism.
Thank you.
RECRUITING and training pro
grams assure Firestone adequate
skilled manpower for future. Here
A. R. Sellers, personnel, interviews
a prospect.
RETURNING to the air after a two-year absence, the
Voice of Firestone continued its traditon of bringing the world’s
finest music performed by the world’s greatest artists to tele
vision viewers throughout the nation. Scene above is from the
program’s premier performance in September, 1962.
REFLECTING expansion of
Firestone’s steel products produc
tion, anodized aluminum automo
bile parts are made in the company’s
new plant in Soartanhnrcr « r