Hoover in Greenfield, Ohio

Automotive seating plant dedicated in Greenfield, Ohio

August 20, 1966 (PD: 201208)

On August 20, 1966, Hoover Ball and Bearing Company executives, employees and community leaders participated in the dedication of the company’s new Plastics Products Division plant in Greenfield, Ohio.

At the time of the dedication, 25 employees worked in the plant, producing molded urethane foam for automotive seating.  Hoover had entered the automotive seating business with its acquisition of Universal Wire Spring, Inc., in 1960.

In 1964, when Hoover acquired the Stubnitz Greene Corporation and its expertise in urethane foam technology, it became a leader in the automotive seating industry.

When Hoover was acquired by Johnson Controls in 1985, it was the foundation upon which today’s Automotive Experience Business Unit was built.  As for the Greenfield plant, it is still in operation today, with over 200 employees.

Hoover was manufacturing a number of automotive plastic and steel parts, including seats, as shown in this diagram from 1968