Clarence W. Avery - Murray Corporation

Murray Corporation

In January 1927, the financially struggling Murray Auto Body was re-organized into the Murray Corporation of America. Anticipating a potentially large contract from Ford, who was then retooling for the Model A, then-president William R. Wilson recruited Avery as chief engineer. Sensing opportunity, Avery resigned from Ford to join Murray. Within a year, Avery was president of the firm and chairman of the board of directors.

Avery steered Murray for the rest of his life. The company supplied Ford with quasi-custom bodies for the Model A, as well as custom bodies for Lincoln cars. In addition, Murray built bodies for other manufactureres such as Chrysler, Hupmobile, Reo, Dodge, Peerless, Packard, Hudson, and Essex. The company struggled during the Great Depression, losing money in the years 1931-1934. However, Ford, with an eye to keeping one of its major suppliers afloat, helped the company out with larger contracts and allowed Murray to use some Ford-owned dies. As a result, Murray posted a profit in 1935, and kept in business throughout the Depression.

At the beginning of World War II, Murray was well-positioned to fulfill military contracts. Avery steered the company into the production of airplane wings and other components. The company's workforce was increased to over 13,000 workers, and Murray produced parts for the B-17 and B-29 bombers, the A-20 light bomber, and the P-47 fighter/bomber. Towards the end of the war, Avery started a project to solicit business from Ford and Kaiser-Frazer, to develop Murray's post-war business.

In 1944, the University of Michigan presented Avery with an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree. In 1948, Avery gave up his position as president of Murry, but continued as Chairman. On May 13, 1949, Avery suffered a heart attack and died at home. In 1990, he was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame for his contributions to the moving assembly line.