Gemmer Manufacturing (Detroit, Michigan)

 historical layer / disappeared object  Add category

 Upload a photo

Manufacturer of steering devices founded by George Andrew Gemmer, a Marion Indiana stationary engine manufacturer, in 1899 who changed to making automobile parts in 1903 and moved to Detroit in 1907. Initially employing 30 workers, a series of expansions led to the
Merrick Street site being fully covered with 130,000 sq. ft. of buildings.

By 1926 the company employed 1,000 people and was the largest independent manufacturer of steering gears in the world. To increase efficiency and reduce production costs property was acquired at Harper and Mt Elliott for a new 600 ft. x 200 ft. , 150,000 sq. ft. plant and a 40 ft. x 220 ft. office building costing $300,000 was constructed.

In 1929, automaker Durant Motors established its engineering and purchasing operations at the Merrick Street property before moving them to Lansing. By 1930, the plant had been acquired by the Step N Drive Truck Corporation a subsidiary of Divco-Detroit Corporation to manufacture milk delivery vehicles. Step N Drive Truck entered bankruptcy in 1934.

usautoindustryworldwartwo.com/gemmermanufacturingcompan...