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Calhoun Foundry
During
the summer of 1943, James N.
Giles, salesman and pattern
maker for the Central
Specialty Foundry located in
Ypsilanti, Michigan, was one
of four people interested in
starting a foundry. During
his sales trips throughout
the state, he was constantly
on the lookout for potential
foundry sites. Many sites
were reviewed and the
decision was made by John R.
Granger, George Schanz,
Joseph Warrick and James N.
Giles to locate in Homer.
In a Bill
of Sale dated November 23,
1943, John R. Granger bought
the Vulcan Foundry Building
from James Murphy. After the
encumbrances discussed above
were cleared, a Warranty
Deed was executed between
James and Grace Murphy
conveying the property to
Calhoun Foundry Company,
Inc. on March 17, 1944. The
Homer Index for December 30,
1943 reported, "According to
George Schanz and John
Granger...plans are being
made to start production at
the foundry in the middle of
January." "Messrs. Schanz
and Granger are from
Ypsilanti and were formerly
connected with the Central
Specialty Foundry." It
soon became apparent that a
full time
bookkeeper/accountant was
needed to assist in the
growing operation.
George
Petredean, the son of
Romanian immigrants, had
grown up in Detroit.
His father died in 1934 when
he was 17. He became
involved with the Franklin
Settlement, where settlement
founder Joseph Beady pushed
him to continue with his
education. George enrolled
at Eastern Normal (Michigan
University) where he met and
married Margaret E. Giles in
1944. George had
enrolled at the University
of Toledo with the objective
of earning a Master's
degree; however his business
skills were needed full time
at the Foundry in Homer and
they moved here in 1945.
The
September 5, 1946, Index
announced, "Demand for gray
iron castings contributed to
the rapid expansion of the
Calhoun Foundry Company in
Homer. The company has more
than doubled it's capacity
in two years." John Granger
was President, George
Schanz-Vice President, Joe
Warrick-Secretary, and
George Petredean-Treasurer.
On Sunday
evening, November 25, 1956,
a disastrous fire caused
$100,000 damage to the
Foundry. The 50' x 75'
cleaning building and the
40' x 100' south foundry
building were destroyed. The
main foundry building was
saved with only some minor
damage to the roof. In
spite of this devastation,
the foundry, with its 70
employee workforce, was back
into production within three
days.
Joe
Warried died in 1956 and
John Granger retired in 1964
with George Petredean
assuming the role of
President.
In the
late 60's, the combined
talents of George Petredean,
George Schanz, and the
introduction of Clayton and
Loren Hackworth, Michigan
State Professor Charles
Siggerfoos and George J.
Petredean to the Calhoun
Foundry team, the company
was able to begin a massive
and successful modernization
plan.
In 1970,
the Foundry installed two
electric melting furnaces
capable of producing 30 tons
a day. Designed as holding
furnaces, this was a new
approach to melting iron
that replaced the previous
cupola method which was a
source of pollution. From
1970 -1973, the foundry was
a pioneer in the use of
automatic molding machines,
mold handling machinery, new
shakeout and pollution
control equipment that
reduced employee injuries
and promoted a cleaner
working environment. The
results of these efforts
proved successful for the
company during the 70's and
into the 80's.
George
Petredean retired in 1982
and George J. Petredean
assumed the Presidency.
The addition of Russell
Webber, from the Battle
Creek Foundry, came at a
time when the fact of global
competition began surfacing.
In 1997, Russ Webber became
President and has remained
in that position to date.
The plight of this company
is made more difficult
because of the greater
acceptance of single
sourcing by a customer and
the willingness to have
their products produced
overseas. Entering into
their 61st year of
existence, this makes the
continuation of this company
extremely difficult, but it
is hoped with the continued
focus and ability of their
people that they will
persevere.
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