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February 15, 1958
Major Additions Made In Plants, Equipment
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THE BUTADIENE PLANT at the new petrochemical center
at Orange, Tex., was officially opened by the board of directors.
Above, the directors look at a scale model of the plant. Left to
right, in front, are Joseph Thomas, Raymond C. Firestone, Harvey S.
Firestone, Jr., Roger S. Firestone and J. E. Trainer. Second row, left
to right, John J. Shea, Leonard K. Firestone and H. H. Hollinger.
DURING THE YEAR the Electric Wheel Company at Quincy,
111 ., was acquired to enlarge the scope of metal products activities.
Large quantities of rims, wheels and other products are produced an
nually by this new Firestone division. The warehouse is shown, above.
The division employs approximately 800 people. Its products are prin
cipally for agricultural and earth moving equipment.
THE COVER — During
1957, the company main
tained its position as the
world’s largest producer of
rubber. The new plant,
which went “on stream”
during the year at Orange,
Tex., to make butadiene,
the principal ingredient of
synthetic rubber, will con
tribute greatly to the con
tinued maintenance of this
position. The cover photo
shows one of the processes
of the plant. Following the
first and basic step — de
hydrogenation of butane
vapor to break it down into
butadiene, hydrogen and
other hydrocarbons — the
gases go to the quench
towers pictured on the
cover for quick cooling.
A NEW FACTORY for the manufacture of air
springs to be marketed as “Airide by Firestone” began
operation in Noblesville, Ind. Here Raymond C.
Firestone (second from right) visits the plant. With
him are B. J. Ferkes, plant manager, and employees,
Ellen Williams and Lenora Shaul.
MAJOR ADDITIONS were made to plants at home
and abroad. A multimillion-dollar expansion program
at the Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, plant was started.
Additional tire or home and auto supply warehouse
facilities were constructed at Los Angeles, Omaha and
Portland.
PRODUCTION FACILITIES were increased for tires, natural
and synthetic rubber, polyurethane foam, Velon plastics. Exon basic
resins for plastics, nylon resins, metal products and textiles. Pictured
above is the new line at the Fall River, Mass., plant for production
of polyurethane foam used for automobile dash panels.
POLYMERIZATION, or forming of solids, to produce Exon
vinyl resins takes place in these 3,500-gallon glass-lined reactors in
the resin plant expanded during the year at Pottstown, Pa. Roger S.
Firestone (left), president of the Firestone Plastics Company, and
E. T. Handley, executive vice president, watch the process.