General Steel Castings

General Steel Castings Corp.'s logo (Also used to represent the Castings Division of General Steel Industries, Inc.)

The General Steel Castings Corporation was a steel casting corporation in the United States established in 1928[1] by the Baldwin Locomotive Works, American Locomotive Company, and American Steel Foundries.[2]

The company began construction on its new foundry and headquarters on 112 acres (45 ha),[3] in Eddystone, Pennsylvania near Baldwin Locomotive's facilities.[2] The new plant opened two years later, circa July 1930, and produced castings weighing from 100 to 110,000 pounds (45 to 49,895 kg).[4]

On July 30, 1929, the company completed its acquisition of the Commonwealth Steel Company and its plant in Granite City, Illinois.[5] Commonwealth Steel was a major supplier of large steel castings, used in products produced by General Steel's owners, such as one-piece locomotive beds 52 feet (15.85 m) long weighing approximately 40,500 pounds (18,400 kg)[6] and large cast steel underframes for railroad cars. By 1930 the company was making one-piece locomotive beds with integral cylinders and cradle, pilot beams, Delta trailer trucks, and water-bottom tenderframes that were over 87 feet (26.52 m) long.[7]

As reported in The Commonwealther, "[t]he new Company, with larger resources and with two plants equipped to produce Commonwealth devices, will undoubtedly mean a better serving of the country with devices for the railroads and other customers. As stated by Mr. Howard [Commonwealth Steel's president, Clarence H. Howard]…the cooperation of the locomotive companies with us should mean a wider field of opportunities for our organization, our men, and our product."[5]

The company's first Board of Directors meeting, after the acquisition of Commonwealth Steel, was held on August 7, 1929 and included among the attendees the president of the Pullman Company, David A. Crawford, President William C. Dickerman of the American Locomotive Company, and President George H. Houston of the Baldwin Locomotive Company. Howard Clarence, the president of the Commonwealth Steel Company became Chairman of the Board of Directors and continued his duties at the Commonwealth Division of the now larger company.[5]

General Steel operated two plants, one in Eddystone, Pennsylvania and one in Granite City, Illinois.[8]

The company, initially using the products developed by Commonwealth Steel, specialized in large castings including tank armor and gun turrets,[9] locomotive frames and trucks.

Over the years, the company expanded into other industrial areas. On May 1, 1961, the company changed its name to reflect its diversified business portfolio and became General Steel Industries.[10]

References

  1. ↑ no author listed (committee) (1971). 75th Year Celebration of the City of Granite City, Illinois. Granite City, Illinois: Tri-City Printing Company for the Granite City Jubilee 1896 - 1971. p. 85.
  2. 1 2 The Commonwealther, April 1929 (Commonwealth Steel Company, 1929), p. 8
  3. ↑ The Commonwealther, September 1930 (Commonwealth Steel Company, 1930), p. 6
  4. ↑ The Commonwealther, September 1930 (Commonwealth Steel Company, 1930), p. 5
  5. 1 2 3 The Commonwealther, August 1929 (Commonwealth Steel Company, 1929), p. 3
  6. ↑ The Commonwealther, July–August 1926 (Commonwealth Steel Company, 1926), p. 14
  7. ↑ The Commonwealther, April 1930 (Commonwealth Steel Company, 1930), p. 7
  8. ↑ Spoelstra, H.L. "Foundry Symbols and Trademarks". Sherman Register. Retrieved 2007-11-14.
  9. ↑ Listing of certificates granted. Revenue Revision of 1951, hearings, 82nd Congress, p. 2704.
  10. ↑ Flagg, James S.; Madison County Sesquicentennial Committee (1962). Our 150 Years, 1812 - 1962: In Commemoration of the Madison County Sesquicentennial. Edwardsville, Illinois: East 10 Publishing Company, Inc. p. 53.

Coordinates: 39°51′36″N 75°20′16″W / 39.8599°N 75.3377°W / 39.8599; -75.3377

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