Gerstenslager
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Gerstenslager Company, a subsidiary of Worthington Industries, is a maker of past model body panels for several major auto makers. In the 1950s the company was best known for making large custom vehicles such as Bookmobiles, canteens and mobile television units.
[edit] History
The company started in 1860 as a carriage factory known as the Wehe Company in Marshallville, Ohio. In 1882 a young blacksmith named George Gerstenslager went to work for the company and by 1904 was the owner and eponym. In 1907 the company moved to Wooster, Ohio. In the early 1920s Gerstenslager changed from production of buggies, surreys and wagons to van bodies and special truck bodies.
After World War II Gerstenslager began producing custom-built mobile units such as Bookmobiles, fire rescue vehicles, dental units, canteens, mobile x-ray units. mobile hospitals and television units used by all the major networks. The company also built vehicles for the United States Postal Service. In the early 1950s, Gerstenlager designed five Wienermobiles for the Oscar Mayer hot dog producer. In the 1960s the company expanded to make parts for the automotive, truck and agricultural industries.
In 1997 Gerstenslager was acquired by Worthington Industries of Columbus, Ohio. The company then expanded into the past-model auto metal stamping industry.
