Fisher Body plant history
The Fisher Body Company played a pivotal role in the development of the American automotive industry, and its numerous plants, particularly those in and around Detroit, stand as testaments to its influence. Founded in 1908, the company initially focused on supplying bodies to various automakers before becoming a key division of General Motors in 1926. This article details the history of the Fisher Body plants, focusing on their impact on Detroit and the surrounding areas, and their evolution over time.
History
The Fisher Body Company was founded by brothers Frederick and Charles Fisher, incorporating on July 22, 1908[1]. Beginning with horse-drawn carriages in the mid-1800s, the Fishers transitioned to auto manufacturing around 1900, recognizing the potential of the burgeoning industry[2]. They relocated from Norwalk, Ohio, to Detroit in 1908 to establish the Fisher Body Company, quickly becoming a leading manufacturer of auto bodies. By 1919, the company had grown significantly and was sold, though details of the sale are not provided in the available sources.
In 1926, Fisher Body became a division of General Motors (GM), after which it exclusively manufactured bodies for GM vehicles[3]. This integration marked a significant shift in the company’s operations and solidified its position within the automotive landscape. The Fisher Body Company established eight sites around Piquette Avenue in downtown Detroit, with Plant 21 being the largest[4]. A notable event in the company’s history occurred on December 28, 1936, when 300 workers at the Cleveland Fisher Body plant initiated a sit-down strike, which rapidly spread to the plant in Flint, Michigan[5]. This strike continued until February 1937, when GM recognized the United Auto Workers as the bargaining agent for its employees.
Geography
While the Fisher Body Company had a significant presence in Detroit, its manufacturing operations extended beyond the city limits. The company operated plants in both Cleveland and Euclid, Ohio, alongside its numerous Detroit locations[6]. The Cleveland plant, located at E. 140th and Coit Rd., initially built bodies for the Cleveland Automobile Co. and the Chandler Motor Car Co. The Euclid plant, built in 1943 by the Cleveland Pneumatic Aerol Co. at 20001 Euclid Ave, was acquired by Fisher Body in 1947.
The Fisher Body Plant 21, situated in Detroit, was among the most prominent facilities, representing the company’s extensive operations in the city[7]. Outside of Michigan and Ohio, a Fisher Body plant was also located in Hamilton, Ohio, which later became part of Fairfield, Ohio, in 1954[8]. These geographically dispersed plants allowed Fisher Body to efficiently serve a wide range of automotive manufacturers and contribute to the growth of the industry across multiple states.
Economy
The Fisher Body Company significantly impacted the economies of the cities and regions where it operated. The Cleveland plant, for example, employed 7,000 workers by 1924, producing 600 bodies daily[9]. During World War II, the Coit Rd. plant in Cleveland employed 14,000 workers, shifting its production to tank and gun parts and engine nacelles for B-29 airplanes[10].
However, the latter half of the 20th century saw a decline in employment at these plants. By 1946, employment at the Cleveland Coit Rd. plant had fallen to 4,000, and by 1971, it was 3,200[11]. The eventual closure of the Cleveland Fisher Body Division in 1982 resulted in 1,300 hourly and 400 salaried workers being idled[12]. The closure of the Hamilton, Ohio plant in 1988 similarly impacted the local economy[13].
Culture
The Fisher Body plants were not merely industrial sites; they were also centers of labor activity and, at times, social unrest. The 1936 sit-down strike at the Cleveland Fisher Body plant, which quickly spread to Flint, Michigan, was a pivotal moment in the history of the United Auto Workers (UAW)[14]. This strike demonstrated the growing power of labor unions and their determination to secure better working conditions and recognition for their members.
The plants also contributed to the cultural landscape of the surrounding communities. During World War II, the shift in production to military components fostered a sense of national purpose and collective effort. The plants became hubs of activity, drawing workers from diverse backgrounds and contributing to the social fabric of the cities they inhabited. The Euclid plant’s ability to remain open through worker concessions and diversification into producing interior parts for other GM vehicles, and even boat seats for Sea Ray Boats, demonstrates a degree of adaptability and resilience within the workforce[15].
Automotive industry in Detroit
History of Detroit
Labor history of Detroit
General Motors