JWG ON FORD HISTORY

HENRY FORD founded Ford Motor Company in the early 1900's.  The little shed pictured above was his first factory.  He soon moved on to bigger and better things as pictured to the right, the Geelong factory built in 1926. 

HENRY FORD went through a lot during his years, including world wars 1 and 2 and the great depression.  It really is remarkable to read the full history of Henry Ford, and to see the ways in which he adapted to the ever adjusting economic climate.  Not only did he keep the Ford Motor Company alive during these difficult times, he also expanded into several other countries and provided transportation for the masses.  This alone  proves that Henry Ford was a remarkable man, an innovative and extraordinary negotiator and a true leader.            

WHEN FORD first introduced production line assembly, the time used for chassis assembly went from over twelve hours, to less than two.  The increased production was hard on the workforce and created a higher turnover of staff, whilst at the same time reducing the number of workers needed.  This slowed production as the new workers had to be trained.  Ford solved this problem by doubling pay, reducing work hours, changing hiring practices, and hiring disabled people that other companies considered unemployable.  This created a more productive workforce, staff turnover slowed, and production increased massively.  Higher production equaled a reduction in costs, therefore the price per unit reduced, which again increased demand. (Click here for more information on Henry Ford.)

APPARENTLY Henry Ford once said,  'A customer can have a car painted any colour they want so long as it is black.'  This was due to the longer drying times of all other colours which created a bottle neck within the production line.  Only Japan Black would dry fast enough.  The blue oval trade mark was introduced in 1907 and the first car to proudly sport the badge was the model A in 1928.  

THE FIRST FORD plant to be built in Australia (pictured top right), was in Geelong in 1926.  The first Ford to be produced in Australia was the Model T, also fondly known as the Tin Lizzie.  Ford purchased land  across Australia and boosted production and soon the V8 arrived.  In 1932 the first Coupe Utility was built.  The government would not provide farmers with loans for passenger cars, but they would for a utility as it was considered a commercial vehicle.  Ford's idea was to build an auto-mobile that would take the wife to church on Sunday and to the market on Monday.