February 17, 1961
Page 5
THE WORLD’S LARGEST PRODUCER of stainless steel beer
barrels, Firestone this year marked the production of the three mil
lionth barrel made at Steel Products. M. A. DiFederico (right), presi
dent of the division, watches as the important milestone is reached.
under our group insurance plan to help them meet the unexpected expenses
resulting from death, sickness, accidents, hospitalization and surgery.
During the 42 years in which our Suggestion System has been in
operation, we have paid out more than $1,250,000 in awards. In the year
just closed, these amounted to $55,853. Our plant at Orange, Texas, had
the highest rate of participation of any plant in the history of the System.
Since 1953, when the Firestone Scholarship Program was inaugu
rated, 197 scholarships have been given to worthy sons and daughters
of Firestone employees who seek a college education. At present, 96
students are attending 67 different colleges and universities on Firestone
scholarships.
We have always encouraged education among our employees with
programs for graduate study with reimbursement for tuition and ex
penses, pre-supervisory training, training for our present supervisors,
advance management courses and an apprentice program. Thousands of
our people have taken advantage of these opportunities, realizing that
education is the key to advancement. Thus, we are preparing for the
years ahead by establishing a reservoir of trained manpower capable of
performing supervision and management jobs when needed.
* * *
I TOLD YOU a few minutes ago, a key word at Firestone is “Confi-
^ dence.” And that applies to the current year as well as to the decade of
the Sixties. In 1961, there will be more cars, trucks, tractors and earth-
moving machines in service than ever before in world history. Our
' production capacity is ready to meet the demand for tires and other
automotive parts and equipment. There will be competition, of course,
and it will be keen, but that is a condition which has prevailed through
out our industry ever since it began. And it is a matter of record
! that during periods of greatest competition our Company has made
, the greatest progress.
The year 1961 will bring rich rewards to those who are willing to
; work, to think and to act. And there is no shortage of that kind of
people at Firestone!
A SUPPORTER OF 4-H CLUB activities for many years,
Firestone accepted the sponsorship of an extensive Automotive
Care and Safety program for 4-H members in 50 states and Puerto
Rico. Raymond C. Firestone, president, is shown with the winners
of the first $400 college scholarships in the program.
TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE of future opportunities,
Firestone relies on widespread research, development and testing
necessary to the creation of new products and to the improvement
of the quality and performance of existing products.
PATIO PLEASURE is provided by new Weblite fencing—a
woven plastic webbing of Velon, a saran yarn extruded by the
Firestone Synthetic Fibers Company. Weblite is translucent, im
pervious to moisture, high in tensile strength, and long lasting.
FIRESTONE EMPHASIZES SAFETY in its products, on the
highway and in its plants. The company participates actively in auto
safety inspection campaigns such as this one in Gastonia, N. C.
Many Firestone plants were cited by the National Safety Council
for outstanding safety performances.