Difference between revisions of "Foster-Forbes"

Revision as of 17:55, 26 June 2007

Note: This article is a work in progress.

Foster-Forbes has played a huge part in the advancement and history of Marion, and Grant County. In the company's rich history it has furthered the whole of Grant County. In the company’s physical growth and technological advancement it has furthered the economic and demographic development of Marion and Grant County. Although now closed the changes set in place by this company are still ringing in the ears of the residents of the surrounding areas.

Precursors

In a sense, Foster-Forbes began in 1842 in Stoddard, New Hampshire. Here Joseph Foster immigrated from England and began The Granite Glassworks. (Foster Forbes, A History of Foster Forbes Glass Co. 1842 — 1957, 1) In 1858, George Foster, Joseph Foster’s son, began The New Granite Glassworks in Stoddard, New Hampshire. This factory was even more successful than Joseph’s and was later sold to a Boston firm. (Foster Forbes, A History of Foster Forbes Glass Co. 1842 — 1957, 1) George Foster then began the firm of Dean-Foster & Co. in Boston, Massachusetts. Here A. M. Foster worked as a bottle salesman.

In 1885 he moved to Chicago, Illinois and opened a branch of the same company. Upon doing this he showed interest in several Indiana glass plants a few of which were the Marion Flint Glass Co., and Upland Flint bottle Co. (Foster Forbes, A History of Foster-Forbes Glass Co. 1842 — 1957, 1) Marion Flint Glass Co. was acquired and/or organized by A. M. Foster in 1887. (Roller, 61) Then in 1911, Upland Flint Bottle Co. was incorporated. (Foster-Forbes, A History of Foster Forbes Glass Co. 1842 — 1957, 1) In 1923 the operations of the entire Upland plant were moved to Marion, and mechanized operations were joined with the hand blown facilities that remained in Marion. After the year 1925 there were no more hand blown shops, and only machinery remained. (Foster-Forbes, A History of Foster -Forbes Glass Co. 1842 — 1957, 1)

Mergers and Acquisitions

A name change ensued in 1929, when the company became Foster-Forbes Glass Co. This name combined the last names of A. M. Foster and Mr. William C. Forbes, who had been an associate of Mr. Foster since 1900. (Foster Forbes, A History of Foster-Forbes Glass Co. 1842 — 1957, 1) In 1933 Standard Glass Co. was acquired. Standard Glass was a direct competitor with Foster-Forbes, and since its property was adjacent to the Foster-Forbes factory it seemed appropriate to incorporate it into the further expansion of the Foster-Forbes empire. Another purchase was made in 1944 when Foster-Forbes purchased the Koeppen Mould Works. This business was also in close proximity to the Foster-Forbes plant and also had done business with Foster-Forbes in the past. It had created its bottle and jar moulds. (Foster Forbes, A History of Foster-Forbes Glass Co. 1842 — 1957, 2)

A New Factory, and More Consolidation

Another major milestone was reached in June 1952 when a new factory was completed. With a cost of over $1,200,000 this plant was designed to accommodate further expansion of facilities. In 1956 the Foster Forbes Board of Directors decides to share the company’s affairs when they go public.(Conover, A3) Between 1970 and 1995 there were a number of mergers and purchases of whole companies. (Conover, A3) In 1970 Foster-Forbes merged with the National Can Co. taking over the operations of the plants in Burlington, Wisconsin; Oil City, Pennsylvania; and Milford, Massachusetts. (Conover, A3)

Recent Decades

On a negative note a large fire engulfed the 1500 ft. section of the Foster-Forbes Glass Co. on Monday March the 10th 1980. The building destroyed in this blaze was the Koeppen Mould shop. Approximate two months before Foster Forbes had moved all of its machinery out of this building in preparation to demolish it.(Witherow, sec.2 p.11) In 1983 Foster-Forbes employed approximately 1000 people in Marion because of the fact that National Can Corp. purchased for glass plants from Kerr Glass Corp. (Conover, A3) In 1988, Pechiney S. A. purchased the firm that owned National Can. (Conover, A3) Thus Foster Forbes operates as a part of the American National Can Glass Division. (Conover, A3) Then in the 1995 Foster Forbes Glass Co. as we know it ceases to exist when the company is bought by Ball Corp. and Saint-Gobain. (Conover, A3) The company’s name is changed to Ball Foster. (Conover, A3) Finally, in 1999 Ball Foster announced that the Marion plant would close in early 2000. (Conover, A3)

Physical Expansion over the Years

The first real structural advancement in the Foster Forbes line that truly affected Grant County was when the company first moved their Millgrove plant to Upland in 1911 forming The Upland Flint Bottle Co. (Conover, A3) the first structural investment to truly affect Marion came in 1923 when all the operations of the Upland Flint bottle Co. were moved to Marion, and machinery was integrated into the hand-blown bottle line. By 1925 there were no more hand blown bottle shops, and five machines had taken their places. (Foster Forbes, A History of Foster Forbes Glass Co. 1842 — 1957, 1) A few very local advancements that took place were that of the acquisition of the Standard Glass Co. in 1933, and the purchase of the Koeppen Mould Works in 1944. When Standard Glass was acquired it was modernized by the addition of a new furnace and new machines to increase productivity. After this Standard Glass Co. was dissolved and added to operate as a unit of Foster Forbes, The Koeppen Mould Works was acquired because of its close proximity to the Foster Forbes plants. It had done business with the plant in the past creating it’s bottle and jar molds. Under the guidance of Foster Forbes it would produce new moulds and also repair machinery exclusively for the company. (Foster Forbes, A History of Foster Forbes Glass Co. 1842 — 1957, 2)

Use of Bottle and Jar Moulds

In a technological aspect these moulds are extremely advanced. They can cost as much a $6,000, (nearly as much as a Cadillac DeVille in earlier days) and are used to shape the molten glass pulled from the furnace into the shape of the bottle desired. (Foster Forbes, Empty Bottles *scattered issues*, 2) When being used, these molds require 17 different steps of handling. The first thing done is to call them out of Mould storage. This is where the molds along with their bottom plates, baffles, fumbles, neck rings, sleeves, plungers, blow heads and takeout jaws are all gathered in prepared for transport. The second step is to move the molds to their machine. The third is to unwire the moulds, these wires protect the joints during storage. The fourth step is to attach the molds to the machine carefully so that the joints and cavities will not be damaged. The fifth step is using the moulds to produce different containers.

The sixth step is the removal of the Mould equipment from the machinery. For the seventh and eighth step they are assembled and made ready for Mould cleaning. When readying a Mould for cleaning they totally rewire it to protect the joints. The ninth step is to put them in Mould cleaning the molds are loaded cavity side up so as not to scratch them, the different parts are laid on the basket bottom so they don’t bang together. Steps 10, 11, 12, and 13 or when the molds are given for different baths. They are given alkali, acid, rust inhibitor, and rinse baths. The 14th step is where all equipment is polished with either steel wool or fine emery cloth. For step 15 the Mould shop inspects every Mould that comes back. Then if approved they will be readied and returned to storage for steps 16 and 17. (Foster Forbes, “Empty Bottles” scattered issues, 2-3)

Back to structural point of view, in 1946 the new batch handling in storage plant was built. This plant is fully automatic in the sense that it measures batch materials for Flint and amber glass by itself. It is also capable of storing three to four weeks of supply of all raw materials. (Foster Forbes, A History of Foster Forbes Glass Co. 1842-1957, 2) A year later in 1947 a small furnace is built in an existing building near plant one. This furnace is primarily for the production process of creating amber ware. (Foster Forbes, A History of Foster Forbes Glass Co. 1842 — 1957, 2) In June of 1952 a totally new factory was completed and put in operation at a cost of$ 1,200,000 it housed the company’s fourth furnace. This plant was also created to promote easy expansion and to accommodate new proposed warehouses and production facilities. An example of this expansion is in 1954 when additional warehouse facilities connected to the new plant are completed. (Foster Forbes, A History of Foster Forbes Glass Co. 1842 — 1957, 2) In 1956 a second furnace and six more machines are placed in operation in the new plant. This new furnace is capable of producing 125 tons of Glass every 24 hours. Additional warehouse facilities totaling 50,000 sq. ft. are also added in 1956. (Foster Forbes, A History of Foster Forbes Glass Co. 1842— 1957, 2) In July of 1957 a third furnace is built in the new factory that will be equipped with three feeders and machines. This furnace will be able to produce about 70 tons of Glass every 24 hours. (Foster Forbes, A History of Foster Forbes Glass Co. 1842 — 1957, 2) In the year 1959 and additional 69,000 sq. ft. of warehouse facilities are built. (Conover, A3) Then as a final addition in 1966 the first bottle-blowing machine was installed. From a production standpoint at this time the company had increased its sales by more than 100 times since the l920s. (Conover, A3) After this a large number of mergers and purchases ensued causing the employment number to fluctuate (at its peak in 1983 the Company employed approximately 1000 people at the Marion plant). (Conover, A3)

Conclusion

As you can see, this company that was so rich in history in its life and death transferred much of its history to the community through its historic existence in Marion and Grant County. Also Foster Forbes Co. had a significant impact on Marion Indiana’s economic and population status through its technological and structural advancement.

Works Cited

• Conover, Sheri. “Glass Brought Union Strength to Marion” Chronicle Tribune 2 Dec. 1999, A3+.
• Foster Forbes Glass Company.” Empty Bottles,” Scattered Issues March 1963-December 1969. Marion, 1969.
• Foster-Forbes Glass Company. History of Foster Forbes Glass Company, 1842 — 1957. ts. Indiana Room-Marion Public Lib., Marion.
• Roller, Dick, comp. Indiana Glass Factories Notes. Paris: Acorn Press, 1994. Witherow, Phil. “Fire” Chronicle Tribune 11 Mar. 1980, sec.2 p.11.

Credits

This article was written by Steven R. Blazekovich and submitted on December 6, 2004 for Mr. Munn’s AP US History class at Marion High School.