GenCorp Archive

Name/Title

GenCorp Archive

Scope and Content

Photos from GenCorp Automotive Factory, which ran from 1988-1996. The images include photos from the construction to function of the factory, depicting the workers as they paint and construct car doors. Small excerpts are detailed on the back of some images, identifying what the image is of. Also included in this file, two newsletters of the “Moonlight Howler”, branded by GenCorp. From October 1994 and Jan/Feb. 1995. One 16-page booklet of GenCorp marketing (post-it note inside reads "Received 10-2-95 our marketing to the Planet”. One 4-page booklet detailing the different subsidiaries of GenCorp. Assorted images from a GenCorp photo album from the Shelbyville Ind. plant. Names that are mentioned on the images are: Craig Cole, Sharon Shelton, Rita Neal, Bill Chapman, Steve Easton, Tony Bordenkecher, Stephanie Benjamen, Lucy Rankin, Earl Kingston, Tom Wickens, Brent Ziegler, Chas Niel, and D. Terry.

Context

Photos from GenCorp Automotive Factory, which ran from 1988-1996. "GenCorp's Reinforced Plastics Division, located in Shelbyville, Indiana, was sold to Cambridge Industries in 1996. The division specialized in producing composite components like lift gates, doors, and panels for the automotive industry, though it faced significant business losses from a key customer, General Motors. September 5, 2000, Cambridge Industries, Inc. located at 501 Northridge Drive, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176 ownership has been changed to Meridian Automotive Systems, Inc., at the same location. They will operate under the name of Meridian Automotive Systems, Inc. Shelbyville's Meridian Automotive Systems announced July 2, 2009 that the plant will be idle for an indefinite period of time and that 295 employees were losing their jobs."

Collection

Dyan Current

Acquisition

Accession

2025.217

Source or Donor

Dyan Current

Acquisition Method

Found in Collection

Condition

Overall Condition

Very Good

Create Date

October 9, 2025

Update Date

October 9, 2025