February 16, 1959
Tir»$ton» Maw
Page 7
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WORLD SAFETY RECORD for tire plants was
established at the Pottstown, Pa., plant, where em
ployees worked 9,917,334 man-hours without a lost
time accident between January 24, 1956, and April 18,
1958. The plant received the National Safety CounciFs
Award of Honor, displayed by A. J. DiMaggio (left),
factory manageri and Harry S. Schaeffer, Jr., director
of plant supervisory training and safety.
55 MILLIONTH automobile tire (left) produced at the Los Angeles
plant is exhibited next to the first tire produced by the plant in 1928.
Production of the 55 millionth tire occurred simultaneously with cere
monies marking the 30th anniversary of the plant. Attending the celebra
tion were, left to right, George B. Gose, president of Los Angeles Chamber
of Commerce; Norris Poulson, mayor of Los Angeles; Leonard K. Firestone,
president of Firestone Tire & Rubber Company of California, and Burton
W. Chace, chairman of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
THE CHAIRMAN thanked all employees for their loyalty in his talk.
Service records reveal that thirty-three per cent of Akron factory and
office employees have been with the company twenty years or more, and
eighty-seven per cent, five years or more. Harvey H. Hollinger, vice presi
dent in charge of finance, celebrated his forty-fifth anniversary during
the year. Left to right during the presentation of his diamond-set service
pin were: John J. Shea, then vice president and chairman of the finance
committee; Harvey S. Firestone, Jr., chairman; Elton H. Schulenberg,
treasurer; Mr. Hollinger; Claude A. Pauley, comptroller; and Raymond C.
Firestone, president.
1958’s LARGEST suggestion award of $2,500 went
to Robert Weir (seated right) of Akron Plant 2. The
year marked the 40th anniversary of the suggestion
program. More than $1,185,000 has been paid during
the 40 years for ideas. J. E. Trainer (left), executive
vice president, presented the award to Mr. Weir. Stand
ing, left to right, are L. J. Alger, manager of the
suggestion system; H. H. Wiedenmann, production
manager. North American tire plants; and J. A. Meek,
vice president, production.
management to make advanced educational opportunities available for
the children of employees who otherwise might not be able to afford a
college education. It is gratifying to report that many Firestone Scholar
ship students have distinguished themselves with high scholastic honors.
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IN ADDITION we give substantial support to fourteen Foundations
of Independent Colleges in those states where we have manufacturing
operations, as it is our desire to do our part in preserving the private
colleges and universities of the country, which in no way receive state
or federal subsidies.
The nine publications of our plants in the United States received
the highest recognition given by the Freedoms Foundation, its Distin
guished Service Plaque, for having won an award in at least seven of
the Foundation’s nine annual programs. Awards are given by the Founda
tion to groups and individuals who help to create or support “better
understanding of our American traditions.”
We continued our educational aids program for public schools by
distributing for the use of teachers and students booklets, motion picture
films and filmstrips on the history and importance of the rubber industry.
A broad program of community relations was carried forward in
cities where our plants are located. Special effort was made to give recog
nition to our employees for their contributions to the company and to
the community, thereby maintaining the public’s high regard for the
company as an employer and good corporate neighbor.
THE VOICE OF FIRESTONE, which celebrated its thirtieth anni
versary on the air, has attracted a larger audience than ever before. At
the beginning of the current season, instead of presenting all types of
music on each performance, we instituted a policy of presenting classical,
semi-classical and popular programs in rotation. Each program features
artists who are especially talented in these respective fields of music.
Again this year the Voice of Firestone received high honors from the
public and from music critics and television editors.
The strength of our company in 1959 is greater than ever. Our
production facilities are equipped to turn out more and better products
with greater economy and efficiency. The quality of our products is un
surpassed. Public preference for them is the highest in history. Our
distribution system is the largest and strongest in our 58 years of service
to the American people. The Firestone sales organization has demon
strated its ability to meet any challenge the future may hold.
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WE ANTICIPATE increased sales of new passenger cars, trucks,
tractors, and road-building equipment in 1959, which will enlarge the
market for original equipment tires. Motor vehicle registrations are the
highest in history, and this should expand the market for replacement
tires and hundreds of other products sold through our dealers and stores.
These highly favorable sales prospects, and the strength of the Firestone
organization, lead us to believe that 1959 will be a year of excellent
opportunities and the best sales year in the history of our company.