Sheller-Globe Corporation
Encyclopedia
Sheller-Globe Corporation was a U.S. auto parts manufacturer and industrial conglomerate based in Toledo, Ohio
. Formed in 1966 on a heritage of much older companies, Sheller-Globe grew through the acquisition (and diversture) of many other businesses before it was acquired by United Technologies Corporation
in 1989.
-based Globe Files Company
was formed in Cincinnati in 1882. The original purpose of the Globe Files Company was to manufacture file cabinets and other office equipment. Two years after the company was formed its first catalogue was released. As business expanded into diverse areas the company's name was changed to the Globe Company. In 1890, the Michigan-based Wernicke Company, also an office supply company, was acquired. The company became Globe Wernicke
.
In the 1950s Globe-Wernicke was acquired by the Toledo
-based City Auto Stamping Company, a maker of automotive body parts dies and other large stampings, which made grilles, light fixtures, consoles, and arm rests for large automobile manufacturers. The combined company was renamed Globe-Wernicke Industries, Inc., and it subsequently acquired the Aluminum Seating Corporation of Akron, Ohio
.
Sheller began in 1916 as a wood rim steering wheel manufacturer in Portland, Indiana
. In 1958, Sheller had produced the first recessed safety steering wheel and padded dash safety package offered by Ford Motor Company
.
.
In 1969, Sheller-Globe acquired the Superior Coach Company
, a long time school bus
and professional car
manufacturer based in Lima
in Allen County, Ohio
, as a subsidiary.
In 1974, Cleveland-based VLN Corporation was merged into Sheller-Globe. VLN's Leece-Neville
divisions supplied heavy-duty alternators and related equipment to the automotive industry, and fractional horse power motors for automotive and industrial customers. Its Paramount Fabricating division in Detroit made automotive stampings and assemblies, The Accurate Parts line of starter motor components served automotive aftermarkets. Another part of VLN, Victoreen Instrument Company was a leader in developing and producing electronic components and equipment.
In 1981 Sheller-Globe acquired Radiation-Medical Products Corporation, a manufacturer of radiation medical instruments and x-ray measuring instrumentation. The acquisition of this particular company had little to do with the automobile industry, and the decision to become involved in an unrelated area reflected a new disposition to capitalize on any market that looked extremely productive. Radiation Medical's operations were therefore merged into Victoreen.
In 1982 Sheller-Globe acquired the automotive business of Detroit-based Olsonite Corporation, a company which made steering wheels and injection-molded plastic parts and components. In 1984, Sheller-Globe acquired Northern Fibre Products Company, manufacturer of insulation and sound deadening materials and products for vehicle interiors.
Sheller-Globe's plastics manufacturing capabilities were also expanded in 1984 with the addition of the Engineered Polymers Company, a custom molder of structural foam cabinets for computers, word processors, work station components, communications devices, networking systems and other business machines.
completed school, and faced with industry over-capacity among school bus manufacturers, the company discontinued bus and professional car
manufacturing at Superior Coach in Lima in late 1980, and portions of its assets were sold. Mid Bus
, a small business based in Lima, resumed production of the smallest Superior school buses, beginning with a workforce of 16 persons. The small business grew successfully, and after a move to a much large facility at Bluffton, Ohio
, was acquired by Collins Industries
in 1998. In 1981, the funeral
car business of Superior was sold to Tom Earnhart, and as of 2007, continues to operate as a portion of Accubuilt, Inc., using the Superior Coach trade name. In 1987, the Leece-Neville division was sold to Prestolite Electric
. That same year the Globe-Weis company was sold to the American Trading and Production Company.
In the mid-1980s, Sheller-Globe began fine-tuning its operations, largely abandoning automotive replacement parts (aftermarket) sales. Instead, it focused more on original equipment interior automotive products for the automotive manufacturers. Sheller-Globe's automotive related divisions supplied a wide range of original equipment parts, components and assemblies to the vehicle manufacturers. Products included thermoplastic, urethane and leather wrapped steering wheels, instrument panel pads, padded consoles, arm rests and other padded components, tail lamp assemblies and a larger number of other products for vehicles.
On May 14, 1988, shortly before 11:00 PM, a 1977 model school bus with a Ford B-700 chassis and a 66 passenger Superior body in use as a church bus was involved in the Carrollton bus disaster
near Carrollton, Kentucky
. 27 persons died, and many more were injured, after their bus was involved in a head-on collision with a drunk driver traveling the wrong way on Interstate 71
. Although none of the bus occupants suffered mortal injuries in the impact, the victims were unable to evacuate quickly immediately after the impact as the gasoline tank of the bus ruptured and a fire broke out.
The bus had been built only 9 days before the 1977 FMVSS standards would have required additional collision protection of the Ford fuel tank. Improved access to emergency exits in the bus body would also have been required. The National Transportation Safety Board
(NTSB) investigation and report was also critical of the flammability of the bus seats which had exacerbated the inability of the bus occupants to exit their burning bus.
The accident and the legal battle afterward were recounted in a 1994 book by James S. Kuen. Reckless Disregard: Corporate Greed, Government Indifference, and the Kentucky School Bus Crash was published by Simon & Schuster of New York City
. (ISBN 0-671-70533-4)
Although no legal determination of product liability
was ever made, Sheller-Globe and Ford Motor Company
each contributed substantially to the settlement funds for those injured and the families of those who were killed.
, and became known as the United Technologies Automotive Engineered Systems Division. In 1999, Lear Corporation purchased United Technologies Automotive from United Technologies Corporation.
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
. Formed in 1966 on a heritage of much older companies, Sheller-Globe grew through the acquisition (and diversture) of many other businesses before it was acquired by United Technologies Corporation
United Technologies Corporation
United Technologies Corporation is an American multinational conglomerate headquartered in the United Technologies Building in Hartford, Connecticut...
in 1989.
History
Sheller-Globe Corporation was established in 1966, with the combination of two much older companies, the earlier having been formed in the 19th century.1882: Globe Files Company
Cincinnati, OhioCincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
-based Globe Files Company
Globe Wernicke
-History:The Globe-Wernicke Company was formed as a result of the Cincinnati based Globe Files Company purchasing the Minneapolis based Wernicke Company in 1899. The company is best known for their high end bookcases, Desks, and other office furniture...
was formed in Cincinnati in 1882. The original purpose of the Globe Files Company was to manufacture file cabinets and other office equipment. Two years after the company was formed its first catalogue was released. As business expanded into diverse areas the company's name was changed to the Globe Company. In 1890, the Michigan-based Wernicke Company, also an office supply company, was acquired. The company became Globe Wernicke
Globe Wernicke
-History:The Globe-Wernicke Company was formed as a result of the Cincinnati based Globe Files Company purchasing the Minneapolis based Wernicke Company in 1899. The company is best known for their high end bookcases, Desks, and other office furniture...
.
In the 1950s Globe-Wernicke was acquired by the Toledo
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
-based City Auto Stamping Company, a maker of automotive body parts dies and other large stampings, which made grilles, light fixtures, consoles, and arm rests for large automobile manufacturers. The combined company was renamed Globe-Wernicke Industries, Inc., and it subsequently acquired the Aluminum Seating Corporation of Akron, Ohio
Akron, Ohio
Akron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
.
1916: Sheller Manufacturing Corporation
In the mid-1960s, as a new emphasis was placed on automotive safety features, Globe-Wernicke took a close look at the Detroit-based Sheller Manufacturing Corporation.Sheller began in 1916 as a wood rim steering wheel manufacturer in Portland, Indiana
Portland, Indiana
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 6,437 people, 2,739 households, and 1,750 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,566.8 people per square mile . There were 2,928 housing units at an average density of 712.7 per square mile...
. In 1958, Sheller had produced the first recessed safety steering wheel and padded dash safety package offered by Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
.
1966: Sheller-Globe created, growth
A merger of the two companies which took place on December 30, 1966 resulted in the creation of Sheller-Globe Corporation. Headquarters of the new industrial conglomerate focused on auto parts were in Toledo, OhioToledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
.
In 1969, Sheller-Globe acquired the Superior Coach Company
Superior Coach Company
Superior Coach was once a school bus body and professional car manufacturer, but today it focuses on building hearses and is located in Lima in Allen County, Ohio.-History:-Garford Motor Truck Company:...
, a long time school bus
School bus
A school bus is a type of bus designed and manufactured for student transport: carrying children and teenagers to and from school and school events...
and professional car
Professional car
A professional car in modern times is an automobile that has been modified with extensive coachwork for service in livery transportation or in funeral home operations...
manufacturer based in Lima
Lima, Ohio
Lima is a city in and the county seat of Allen County, Ohio, United States. The municipality is located in northwestern Ohio along Interstate 75 approximately north of Dayton and south-southwest of Toledo....
in Allen County, Ohio
Allen County, Ohio
Allen County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. Its population was 106,331 as of the 2010 census. It is included in the Lima, Ohio Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as the Lima–Van Wert–Wapakoneta Combined Statistical Area....
, as a subsidiary.
In 1974, Cleveland-based VLN Corporation was merged into Sheller-Globe. VLN's Leece-Neville
Leece-Neville
Leece-Neville is a global manufacturer and supplier of alternators, starters, electrical equipment and services to the transportation, industrial, military, marine, agricultural and construction industries. Leece-Neville serves as a division of Prestolite Electric.-Early history:The Leece-Neville...
divisions supplied heavy-duty alternators and related equipment to the automotive industry, and fractional horse power motors for automotive and industrial customers. Its Paramount Fabricating division in Detroit made automotive stampings and assemblies, The Accurate Parts line of starter motor components served automotive aftermarkets. Another part of VLN, Victoreen Instrument Company was a leader in developing and producing electronic components and equipment.
In 1981 Sheller-Globe acquired Radiation-Medical Products Corporation, a manufacturer of radiation medical instruments and x-ray measuring instrumentation. The acquisition of this particular company had little to do with the automobile industry, and the decision to become involved in an unrelated area reflected a new disposition to capitalize on any market that looked extremely productive. Radiation Medical's operations were therefore merged into Victoreen.
In 1982 Sheller-Globe acquired the automotive business of Detroit-based Olsonite Corporation, a company which made steering wheels and injection-molded plastic parts and components. In 1984, Sheller-Globe acquired Northern Fibre Products Company, manufacturer of insulation and sound deadening materials and products for vehicle interiors.
Sheller-Globe's plastics manufacturing capabilities were also expanded in 1984 with the addition of the Engineered Polymers Company, a custom molder of structural foam cabinets for computers, word processors, work station components, communications devices, networking systems and other business machines.
Downsizing
Beginning in 1980, Sheller-Globe disposed of some additional units which were not as profitable as desired. Following a downturn in North American school bus purchase volumes as the children of the Baby BoomBaby boom
A baby boom is any period marked by a greatly increased birth rate. This demographic phenomenon is usually ascribed within certain geographical bounds and when the number of annual births exceeds 2 per 100 women...
completed school, and faced with industry over-capacity among school bus manufacturers, the company discontinued bus and professional car
Professional car
A professional car in modern times is an automobile that has been modified with extensive coachwork for service in livery transportation or in funeral home operations...
manufacturing at Superior Coach in Lima in late 1980, and portions of its assets were sold. Mid Bus
Mid Bus
Mid Bus was a corporation which specialized in manufacturing customized school buses. Formed in 1981 by former employees of Superior Coach Company in Lima, Ohio, it grew from a dozen employees working in a small facility in Lima to become one of the country's largest manufacturers of smaller school...
, a small business based in Lima, resumed production of the smallest Superior school buses, beginning with a workforce of 16 persons. The small business grew successfully, and after a move to a much large facility at Bluffton, Ohio
Bluffton, Ohio
Bluffton is a village in Allen and Hancock counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. It had a population of 3,896 at the 2000 census. Bluffton is home to Bluffton University, a four-year educational institution affiliated with Mennonite Church USA. Bluffton is served by the Bluffton general aviation...
, was acquired by Collins Industries
Collins Bus
Collins Industries is a Hutchinson, Kansas company that specializes in manufacturing of Type A school buses, and also manufactures ambulances and other special-purpose vehicles. The company was founded in 1971 and as of 1998 it was made up of four subsidiaries: Collins Bus Corporation, Wheeled...
in 1998. In 1981, the funeral
Hearse
A hearse is a funerary vehicle used to carry a coffin from a church or funeral home to a cemetery. In the funeral trade, hearses are often called funeral coaches.-History:...
car business of Superior was sold to Tom Earnhart, and as of 2007, continues to operate as a portion of Accubuilt, Inc., using the Superior Coach trade name. In 1987, the Leece-Neville division was sold to Prestolite Electric
Prestolite Electric
Prestolite Electric Incorporated is a global manufacturer and supplier of alternators, starters, electrical equipment, and services to the transportation, industrial, military, marine, agricultural and construction industries...
. That same year the Globe-Weis company was sold to the American Trading and Production Company.
In the mid-1980s, Sheller-Globe began fine-tuning its operations, largely abandoning automotive replacement parts (aftermarket) sales. Instead, it focused more on original equipment interior automotive products for the automotive manufacturers. Sheller-Globe's automotive related divisions supplied a wide range of original equipment parts, components and assemblies to the vehicle manufacturers. Products included thermoplastic, urethane and leather wrapped steering wheels, instrument panel pads, padded consoles, arm rests and other padded components, tail lamp assemblies and a larger number of other products for vehicles.
Carrollton Bus Disaster
Many years after Sheller-Globe exited the school bus manufacturing business, a disastrous accident occurred with one of Superior bus bodies it had built. It was the worst school bus accident in U.S. history as of January 2007.On May 14, 1988, shortly before 11:00 PM, a 1977 model school bus with a Ford B-700 chassis and a 66 passenger Superior body in use as a church bus was involved in the Carrollton bus disaster
Carrollton bus disaster
The Carrollton, Kentucky bus collision was one of the deadliest bus disasters in United States history.About 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday May 14, 1988, Larry Mahoney, a drunk driver in a pickup truck traveling in the wrong direction on an interstate highway in a rural, unincorporated area of Carroll...
near Carrollton, Kentucky
Carrollton, Kentucky
Carrollton is a town in Carroll County, Kentucky, at the confluence of the Ohio River and the Kentucky River. Its population was 3,846 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Carroll County....
. 27 persons died, and many more were injured, after their bus was involved in a head-on collision with a drunk driver traveling the wrong way on Interstate 71
Interstate 71
Interstate 71 is an Interstate Highway in the Great Lakes/Midwestern and Southeastern region of the United States. Its southern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 64 and Interstate 65 in Louisville, Kentucky. Its northern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 90 in Cleveland,...
. Although none of the bus occupants suffered mortal injuries in the impact, the victims were unable to evacuate quickly immediately after the impact as the gasoline tank of the bus ruptured and a fire broke out.
The bus had been built only 9 days before the 1977 FMVSS standards would have required additional collision protection of the Ford fuel tank. Improved access to emergency exits in the bus body would also have been required. The National Transportation Safety Board
National Transportation Safety Board
The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent U.S. government investigative agency responsible for civil transportation accident investigation. In this role, the NTSB investigates and reports on aviation accidents and incidents, certain types of highway crashes, ship and marine...
(NTSB) investigation and report was also critical of the flammability of the bus seats which had exacerbated the inability of the bus occupants to exit their burning bus.
The accident and the legal battle afterward were recounted in a 1994 book by James S. Kuen. Reckless Disregard: Corporate Greed, Government Indifference, and the Kentucky School Bus Crash was published by Simon & Schuster of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. (ISBN 0-671-70533-4)
Although no legal determination of product liability
Product liability
Product liability is the area of law in which manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, retailers, and others who make products available to the public are held responsible for the injuries those products cause...
was ever made, Sheller-Globe and Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
each contributed substantially to the settlement funds for those injured and the families of those who were killed.
United Technologies Corporation
In the late 1980s, Sheller-Globe Corporation was acquired by United Technologies CorporationUnited Technologies Corporation
United Technologies Corporation is an American multinational conglomerate headquartered in the United Technologies Building in Hartford, Connecticut...
, and became known as the United Technologies Automotive Engineered Systems Division. In 1999, Lear Corporation purchased United Technologies Automotive from United Technologies Corporation.