Clarence W. Avery

Clarence Willard Avery (February 15, 1882 – May 13, 1949) was an American business executive. He was considered a driving force behind Ford Motor Company's moving assembly line, and was president and chairman of auto-body supplier Murray Corporation of America.

Early life Clarence Avery was born in Dansville, Michigan in 1882. After graduating from high school, he continued his education at Ferris Institute (now Ferris State University) and then at the University of Michigan, completing a two-year course in manual training (the precursor to today's vocational education). He taught at a rural school for a year, and then, in 1902, became the head of manual training in the Battle Creek public schools.

With that experience, Avery's first large project was the establishment of a moving assembly line at the plant. and was eventually promoted to Ford's chief development engineer. Sensing opportunity, Avery joined Murray. Within a year, Avery was president of the firm and chairman of its 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 manufacturers such as Chrysler, Hupmobile, Reo, Dodge, Peerless, Packard, Hudson, and Essex. The company struggled during the Great Depression, losing money in 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 Corporation of America was well-positioned to fulfill military contracts and Avery steered the company into the production of airplane wings and other components. The company's workforce increased to over 13,000 employees, and Murray produced parts for the B-17 and B-29 bombers, the A-20 light bomber, and the P-47 fighter/bomber. Near the end of the war, Avery started to solicit 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 Murray, but continued as its 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.