Document Bv520VwMBEGKro89EOqzB5xpo

ETHYL CORPORATION 100 PARK AVENUE BUILDING AT 41s t STREET NEW YORK 17, N. Y. 2arch lb, 1957 Dr* Robert A. Kehoe The Kettering Laboratory College of Medicine !<},University of Cincinnati Cincinnati Ohio Dear Bob? ..-e have received the attached inforrnation, which is in the nature of a Competitive Activity Report on the Midwestern Contractors, Inc. of Wheaton, Illinois, tana cleaners. It is interesting to note that Utliyl Corporation fulfilled their r.oral obligations in this instance, even though a customer vas not involved. Further, you '.'ill be interested in knowing that competition has about the sane amount or manpower that .?e have in the field. Yours very truly. HKBjens Attach. cc: Mr* S. T. Pruitt Mr. M. A. Taylor H* K. Ball N13341.01 KE 0012309 COMPETITIVE ACTIVITY REPORT Source: Mr. G. A. Wilson, Engr. 1-11-57 Customer: Address: Midwestern Contractors, Inc. Wheaton, Illinois The following competitive activity is herewith reported: This report is just a little side-light on'competitions tank cleaning philosophy: Midwestern Contractors specialize in pipe designing and fabrication around gasoline terminals, hulk plants, etc. They are not acquainted with clean ing or entering leaded tanks. When they found they would have to enter a tank in Aurora, Indiana for repair purposes, they contacted R, W. Roecher, Du Pont'ts Coordinator of Safety, in Chicago for advise and assistance. Roecher made arrangements to lend them the proper fresh air equipment, hut stated that they (Du Pont) were short on avail able manpower, and suggested a call the next day. Midwestern called again, and Roecher said Du Pont could not spare a man, and suggested they contact Ethyl Corporation. Roecher further explained that his local Cincinnati representative (D. E. Stone) was very busy at the KPMA. convention in Louisville, and could not be spared. He also added, that if Ethyl refused to send a man in, Du Pont would make arrangements to fly a man in for the job. Midwestern then called our Chicago office, who in turn contacted Dayton, and I was assigned to the job. The tank involved is at a small terminal in Aurora, Ind. The property was originally owned by Indiana Farm Bureau, but has been sold to khaxRggkwggd a Mr. D. W. Goodspeed. Goodspeed plans to act as a supplier to the Rockwood Oil Co., a jobber in Cincinnati. Goodspeed, in turn, is sup plied by barge, down the river from Ashland: Oil's Cattletsburg refinery. Customers Reaction To This Activity: Since a customer is not immediately in volved here, and there would not be any apparent gain for recognition for such an action, it's easy to understand du Pont's philosophy on this job. Needless to say, the contractor was a little miffed by it all. C. E. GORDON Dayton N13341.02 h0012310