Lempco Products

In October 1941 the War Department authorized procurement of 160,879 more E38R2 shells later this authorization was changed to 143,230 M2 shells and 33,584 M3 shells. The OC, CWS, directed the Pittsburgh district to procure these additional shells, whereupon the contracting officer of that district sent invitations to bid to six prospective contractors. The successful bidders were the Lempco Products Co. of Cleveland, a producer of industrial machine tools, grinders, and equipment used in the automotive industry the Hydril Corp., Rochester, Pa., a manufacturer of oil field supplies and equipment and the H. K. Porter Co. which was already working on the shell. 

The government owned plants were Firelands, San Bernadino, Turlock, Zanesville, Birmingham Smoke Mix, Birmingham Smoke Pot, Midland, Lake Ontario Ordnance, Niagara Falls, and Duck River. The CWS sponsored plants were operated by Lempco Products Co., Bell Aircraft Ordnance Division, Bell Madiine, Ferro Enamel Corp., and Rheem Manufacturing Co. 

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