[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 13 (Thursday, February 10, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 10, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                100TH ANNIVERSARY FOR KELLY-SPRINGFIELD

 Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, this year the Kelly-Springfield 
Corp., headquartered in Cumberland, MD, is celebrating its 100th 
anniversary, and I want to join in congratulating Kelly-Springfield and 
its fine employees on this important milestone. Since its founding, the 
company and its employees have succeeded in making Kelly-Springfield a 
business known throughout the world for its quality products.
  Established in 1894, Kelly-Springfield is one of the oldest tire 
manufacturing companies in the world. Its first product was a solid 
rubber tire which silenced the clatter of carriage and buggy wheels.
  In 1917 the company decided to consolidate its production in one 
plant. The Allegany County town of Cumberland was selected as the site 
for the new facility; however, the first tire in the new Maryland plant 
was not produced until 1921 due to the advent of World War I and delays 
in construction of the plant.
  During World War II, tire production was curtailed in order to back 
the war effort. The Cumberland plant converted to the manufacture of 
50-calibre small arms ammunition and other explosives. Kelly went back 
to producing tires in 1942, and due to increased demand for its 
products Kelly built three more plants during the 1960's, one in Tyler, 
TX, another in Freeport, IL and another plant in Fayetteville, NC.
  Although the Kelly-Springfield plant in Cumberland is no longer in 
operation, we in Maryland are fortunate to be the site of the company's 
worldwide corporate headquarters.
  Kelly-Springfield brand tires are sold throughout the Nation and the 
world. A leading supplier of custom brand tires, the firm lists among 
its customers leaders in the petroleum industry as well as automotive 
and farm equipment supply companies, discount chain and department 
stores, and mail-order companies.
  Mr. President, I salute the efforts of the Kelly-Springfield Tire 
Co., its employees and the community. They have worked together to make 
the company one of Cumberland and our State's most important economic 
assets and have, through their imagination, hard work, and diligence 
earned this company its superb reputation. Each of them deserves our 
praise and our thanks.

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