White Motor Company

41°31′58″N 81°38′06″W / 41.5328°N 81.6350°W / 41.5328; -81.6350

White Motor Company
IndustryAutomotive, Defense
Founded1900; 124 years ago (1900)
FounderThomas H. White
Defunct1980; 44 years ago (1980)
FateMost US assets acquired by Volvo, later emerged from bankruptcy reorganization under the name Northeast Ohio Axle
SuccessorNortheast Ohio Axle
Volvo
Headquarters
Cleveland, Ohio
,
United States
ProductsVehicles
Automotive parts

The White Motor Company was an American automobile, truck, bus and agricultural tractor manufacturer from 1900 until 1980. The company also produced bicycles, roller skates, automatic lathes, and sewing machines. Before World War II, the company was based in Cleveland, Ohio. White Diesel Engine Division in Springfield, Ohio, manufactured diesel engine generators, which powered U.S. military equipment and infrastructure, namely Army Nike and Air Force Bomarc launch complexes, and other guided missile installations and proving grounds, sections of SAGE and DEW Line stations, radars, Combat Direction Centers and other ground facilities of the U.S. aerospace defense ring, such as the Texas Towers.[1]

During the Vietnam Era, the company retained its position within the Top 100 Defense Contractors list (it ranked 87th in the Fiscal Year 1965,[2] 77th in 1967,[3] 73rd in 1968,[4] 89th in 1969[5]). Its production facilities, such as the Lansing Truck Plant in Lansing, Michigan, and the main plant in Cleveland were engaged in production, inspection, engineering services and maintenance of thousands of military/utility cargo trucks M39,[6] M44,[7] M600,[7] and M602 series trucks,[8] as well as spare parts, such as cylinder heads, diesel and gasoline engines with accessories.[9]

  1. ^ Perry, Donald E., ed. (4 May 1959). "Superior engines develop KW… for missile KO!". Missiles and Rockets. Vol. 5, no. 23. American Aviation Publications, Inc. p. 30.
  2. ^ Top 100 Defense Contractors FY 1965. // Defense Industry Bulletin, December 1965, v. 1, no. 12, p. 6.
  3. ^ Fiscal Year 1967: Top 100 Defense Contractors Announced. // Defense Industry Bulletin, January 1968, v. 4, no. 1, p. 34.
  4. ^ Fiscal Year 1968: Top 100 Defense Contractors Announced. // Defense Industry Bulletin, January 1969, v. 5, no. 1, p. 19.
  5. ^ Fiscal Year 1969: Top 100 Defense Contractors Announced. // Defense Industry Bulletin, December 1969, v. 5, no. 12, p. 16.
  6. ^ Defense procurement. // Defense Industry Bulletin, June/July 1967, v. 3, no. 6, p. 34.
  7. ^ a b Defense procurement. // Defense Industry Bulletin, June 1969, v. 5, no. 6, p. 38.
  8. ^ Defense procurement. // Defense Industry Bulletin, July 1970, v. 6, no. 7, p. 37.
  9. ^ Defense procurement. // Defense Industry Bulletin, July 1969, v. 5, no. 7, p. 47.