The M. A. Harrison Manufacturing Company, Birmingham’s second largest industry, began in a wash house. In 1939 Marion Harrison, president of the company, and four employees started the business in the wash house of his mother’s on South Street. The building had 400 square feet of space. Business prospered and in 1941 it was moved to a building on Route 113 about a mile west of Route 60. This building was once a dance hall that had been remodeled from an apple packing shed.

The company has required several expansions to conduct its growing operations. In 1962 a foundry was added to make castings of bronze and brass alloys. This enabled the company to become a self sufficient fabricating plant from furnaces to finishing operations. In 1976 another major expansion required the removal of a house situated on the property.

In 1970 the firm acquired a helicopter to reach its customers within a 300 mile radius of Birmingham. James Harrison, son of Marion, was the pilot. The helicopter is no longer required and has been sold.

For 40 years the Harrison Manufacturing Company has suplied aircraft, marine, fluid power and heavy equipment industries with precision machined brass, bronze and other non-ferrous alloys parts used for bearing and bushings. Albert Phillips started with Harrison and is still with the company. Total employment is now 80.

The firm has not been without tragedies. In 1960 Ruth Lucas, from the inspection room, died in an auto accident on Howe’s Hill on Route 113 in Henrietta Township. Clifford McDowell, comptroller for 12 years, died at work from a heart attack in 1963. In 1964 Mrs. Marion Harrison, secretary and treasurer of the company, died suddenly from a heart attack.

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Transcribed by Lowell Dunlap