WELSH MOTORS INC
13760 Woodworth Road, State Route 165,
New Springfield,
OH
44443
Call Us Now: (330) 549-3925
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Welcome to Welsh Motors Inc
Welsh Motors * October 1939-2009 * 70th Anniversary The year was 1939. FDR was the President, the current box office hit was “Gone with the Wind” and Big Band was the sound of the times. It was the same year Duncan Welsh and Wayne Welsh purchased a store from William Geiger in New Springfield, Ohio, to be named Welsh Motors. Geiger opened in 1918 and it was one of Ford’s first franchise dealerships. Duncan was the son of Ezra Welsh, partner of the Wire Welsh Distillery located in New Middletown, makers of Middletown Golden Rye. The store sold Ford cars and trucks, tractors, farm machinery and Shell petroleum products. Welsh Motors also operated a transportation company, which provided bussing for Springfield Township Schools. Duncan and Wayne drove the busses each day transporting children to and from school. When the United States entered WW II in 1941, Ford, like many other manufacturers of this time period, adapted their facilities to build products to defend the country. Without new products available, the only sources of income were used vehicles, services and parts. As a result, Welsh Motors became very service oriented as a means of survival. One service provided at this time was “custom farming”. A term used at that time to indicate farming as a service to other farmers. The services provided to local farmers included plowing and combining. The post-war period brought many changes. As a result of Ford buying Ferguson’s interest, in the farm equipment division, Ford Motor Company separated vehicle and farm equipment franchises. The trends of the time supported the decision to keep the vehicle franchise since many farmers worked part-time in Youngstown Steel Mills and men returning from the war also sought employment in the steel industry rather than returning to the farm. These individuals needed transportation to and from work. Typical of the post-war era, the economic environment changed and so too the business itself. In 1949, the Board of Education purchased board owned school busses. Therefore, the transportation company was terminated. Also at this time, Ohio schools and Springfield Local Schools began offering driver’s education classes. Welsh Motors provided a vehicle for these classes at Springfield Local and continues to do so today. In 1958 Larry Welsh, Wayne’s son, purchased Duncan’s share of the partnership. Duncan wished to retire. In the early 1960’s, the consumer society continued to grow and accordingly, consumer products flooded the market. The dealership continued to grow and change. In 1963, two parcels of adjoining property became available. The first parcel was adjacent to the dealership on the north side, where a church stood. It was available because the Church of God moved to their new/current building on Garfield Road. The second parcel was located on the opposite corner of Grant Street and North Boardman Street (State Route 165) and was the former site of the post office and C. F. Stewart’s store. The church was moved to this corner and converted to a service station. The service station provided quick lube items and Shell petroleum products. This building was eventually sold and is now known as the “Vittle Village” Shopper. Just as the steel mills in Youngstown brought prosperity, their closing in 1978 and 1979 led to a recession. Times were hard. The downturn in the economy continued into the 1980’s. Interest rates were high; few people bought new vehicles or traded their current vehicles. The fact that people were keeping their cars longer prompted a focus on service. As manufacturing industries suffered, the service sector grew. Customer service became the gauge for most companies in the service industry. The President’s Award, Ford Motor Company’s highest honor, was given for the first time in 1986. This award is given for achieving outstanding customer satisfaction based on rating from our customers. Out of approximately 5,000 Ford Dealerships, there are 117 recipients of this coveted award each year. Welsh Motors is proud to be a fourteen time winner of this award from 1986 through 2008. The 1990’s were a decade of consolidation and expansion. Multi-franchise dealerships have become the trend. The 2000’s have seen a 1,200 reduction in the number of Ford Dealerships plus numerous changes in the automobile industry. Yet, Welsh Motors continues to provide personalized quality service through certified technicians, managers, and advisors in a friendly, no pressure, small town atmosphere serving Ohio and Pennsylvania customers. Through the decades, we have continued to reside and work with our local community believing in it’s future and providing support to many businesses and organizations. Larry Welsh, his daughters, Kim Welsh Koch and Brenda Folkenroth, and everyone at Welsh Motors would like to take this opportunity to thank the families who have given us the opportunity to serve you during the past 70 years. You are our foundation and our future.
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