We all know that all the famous American Automobile car companies were invented in early 1900s and it was a big milestone in mankind history. So history is incomplete without mentioning Body By fisher the game changer company in early 1900s.
But only few people know that these companies never manufactured their own bodyshells.
Yes it is shocking fact that all the famous car companies like Buick, Cadillac, GM, Ford oldmobiles, Pontiac were having a contract with this big carriage maker company in Detroit to supply them their car body.
Tradition to technology
Before introducing the world with motor vehicles there was already a business existed for horse carriages and there were small workshops which were manufacturing these carriages for customers.
So this kind of industry already existed and later it was upgraded with some major and minor changes according to the needs of transport mode.
A journey from a family of blacksmith to automobile carriages was never an easy road of success it took decades, innovative mindset and financial struggle.
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Success of fisher organization
The story of success of fisher bodyshells started long ago with the migration of a German man in 1940s who worked as blacksmith and traded in carriages back than. Later his elder son Lowrance learned trading too as it was common in American families to learn trade skills for one son in family.
Lowrance went to Ohio to do job in a carriages making company where he met a German girl margarita and they got married. They together had 11 children in which they had 7 sons
The elder son got a job in Wilson carriage works with the connection of his uncle in Detroit as a skilled carriage worker where his younger brother Charles joined him later.
Both brothers weren’t satisfied with their jobs they always wanted to do something in automobile industry where one of their colleague shared same passion as they did. Henry ford, who was already working on this sector and doing small tasks
Formation of a legacy in automobile industry
When Charles wife was pregnant he and his brother asked for a raise in their salary or they would start their own company but they were denied so both brothers took their money and borrowed 30,000 from their uncle and set up a new carriage making company
In 1902 they started their own automobile carriage company which was early start for their business and they made a very good reputation in the industry.
Risk taking decision to change established standards of automobile industry
When automobile industry was adopting new technologies, fisher company decided to make some changes in their shell design. They planned to design a carriage equipped with glass windows and windshield.
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Along with their uncle other investors were worried about their decision as they thought that no one will show interest in sitting a closed car and fragile glass will be not successful on roads.
Henry ford was one of them who didn’t agree with their new idea and he said the same thing and called their idea very ridiculous but later hie himself bought many body shells equipped with glass.
Growth of fisher carriages was rapidly increasing then other brothers also joined the fisher organization.
This is the time when a new established car company Cadillac showed its interest in doing their business with fisher and it became new clients which was making luxury cars for rich customers.
With the adopting new ides in bodyshells within 5 years fisher was manufacturing 100,000 bodyshells per year
As Detroit city was hub for automobile manufacturing companies there was owner of Buick company living in same building and having good relationship with fisher family.
Despite being a prime competitors for both of them they had a rule of not talking about business.
Innovative approached which kept this company on top in the competition
Fisher brothers kept innovating in their body frame so they were first to introduce electric starter motor, window roll up and down, windshield wiper
There is another misconception about conveyor belt to be used by Henry ford for the first time in automobile industry. But fisher brothers were already using conveyor system in their assembly line.
Honesty of fisher brothers in industry
Walter Flanders, the founder of EMF groups hired fisher company to manufactur body for his company and there was a big number of bodies. They later went through the cost of manufacturing and contacted to Walter Flanders to talk about price.
Walter wasn’t happy with this move and he said that they trapped him first about business and now they want to increase the price. Fisher brothers responded that it’s not about price increase it’s about price decrease as cost of manufacturing is not that high so they will charge less
Customer preferences
Fisher brothers weren’t only concerned about their contract with clients they were providing some additional favour to the customers who were gonna buy the cars. This very genuine and honest approach in the business made them a legitimate brand in automobile industry.
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Fisher gave option to choose variety of colours to the buyers in their cwr purchase and it was a wonderful initiative in carriages industry.
Merging with GM
Fisher brothers became a very sustainable business group in the sector and investors and bankers were very supportive to the organization and they suggested to start new joint venture with other car companies to expand the business empire by joining pinnacle companies like GM willows,Orlando.
In 1919 GM signed a 10 years contract with fisher company and held 60% interest in fisher organization. Fisher company understood the changes in the industry and they grab the opportunity to act according to market changes.
It brought engineers and team under oke roof from both top notch companies which created a very good products together
Time to invest chunk of money on family and lifestyle
By this time fisher family had a huge wealth and the all brothers build really wonderful homes for themselves and their mother as well in Detroit posh society. Which was called Boston edition area and it was located in northern side of the town.
The logo: body by fisher
This logo really became a trustworthy among customers and businesses duebtontheir Honesty dedication and innovative mindset which took a long years to make that reputation with their work.
Quality, class and beauty was symbol for fisher body which was campaign of status and safety
GM acquiring fisher body organization
In 1926 closed body car models became standard in industry and later GM acquired remaining 40 percent interest but fisher brothers still remained board members of the organization after handing over the fisher body company.
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