February 15, 1957
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OUR DEALER FRANCHISE is one of the most complete and
most profitable in the industry and it has enabled thousands of dealers
to build permanent and successful businesses. Our Firestone stores
continue to maintain their high standards of service to our dealers
and the public.
In cooperation with the United States Treasury Department, the
Company sponsored a drive to sell U. S. Savings Bonds under the Payroll
Savings Plan. Firestone employees set a nationwide record for participa
tion with ninety per cent signing up to buy $900,000 in bonds each month.
* * *
THE COMPANY passed the million dollar mark last September in
awards paid to employees under our suggestion program since it was in
augurated in 1918. Last year the Company awarded $98,747 for the 3,990
suggestions adopted under the program. The highest award of the year
was for $3,000 presented to E. W. Jeffries of Akron Plant Two.
Under our community relations program, celebrations marking im
portant milestones in the lives of two of our plants were held during the
year. The Noblesville plant reached its twentieth birthday, and the plant
at New Bedford produced its one millionth 155-mm. shell. Employees and
their families, business, professional and civic leaders, school groups and
others joined in the celebrations.
Youth activities are encouraged by all Firestone plants. The
Company continued to co-operate with and support such youth organiza
tions as the Future Farmers of America, 4-H Clubs and the Boy Scouts.
Employee participation in recreational activities of the Company in
Akron and in other plants was greater than ever.
The Firestone Scholarship Program provides for annual financial
assistance awards to worthy sons and daughters of Firestone employees
who seek a college education. Since the inauguration of the program in
1953, ninety-three students have been awarded scholarships.
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THIS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM was developed by the manage
ment of the Company to make advanced educational opportunities available
for the children of employees who otherwise might not be able to afford
a college education.
The nine publications of our factories in the United States again
deceived national recognition when they were awarded an Honor Medal
by the Freedoms Foundation in competition with hundreds of other com
pany publications. The Company also received a certificate in the annual
awards program of the American Public Relations Association in recogni
tion of “outstanding achievement in public relations in the field of manu
facturing.” This award was for our employee communications program.
We continue to expand our educational aids program for public
schools and have distributed booklets, motion picture films and filmstrips
on the history and importance of the rubber industry for the use of
teachers and students.
The “Voice of Firestone,” the oldest coast-to-coast radio program
On the air, and the oldest musical program in television, received several
high honors last year.
Our Company is in an excellent position for 1957. Our production
facilities are equipped to turn out more and better products with greater
Economy and efficiency than ever before. The quality of our products is
*Jnsurpassed and public preference for Firestone merchandise is the high
est in history. Our sales organization has dernonstrated its ability to meet
^ny challenge the future may hold. Our distribution system is the largest
^nd strongest in our fifty-six years of service to the American people.
* * *
ALL INDICATIONS point to a much higher sales volume of new
Passenger cars during the coming year, increasing the demand for original
^quipment tires. The number of cars on the road will be the greatest in
nistory, creating an expanded market for the sale of replacement tires and
hundreds of other auto supplies. In fact, the sales outlook for all of our
Pi'oducts appears most favorable. As a result, we are looking forward to
1957 as a year of excellent opportunity for greater sales and profits.
SAVINGS
IN COOPERATION with the United States Treasury Depart
ment, the Company sponsored a drive to sell U. S. Savings Bonds
under the Payroll Savings Plan. Employees set a nationwide record for
participation with ninety per cent signing up to buy $900,000 in bonds
each month and received a U. S. Treasury Department pennant.
Harvey S. Firestone, Jr., (second from right) accepted the award for
the Company.
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OPEN HOUSE celebrations marked important milestones in
the lives of two of our plants during the year. The plant at New Bed
ford, Massachusetts, produced its one millionth 155-mm. shell. Here
Lt. Gen. Emerson L. Cummings, Chief of Army Ordnance, accepts the
shell from James E. Trainer.
Industrial Products Company
OPEN HOUSE
Celebrating
twenty years’ progress \SSj
IN NOBLESVILLE
THE NOBLESVILLE, INDIANA, plant reached its twentieth
birthday and employees and their families, business, professional and
civic leaders, school groups and others joined in the celebration. Gov.
George N. Craig (center front) was one of the visitors.