This business was established in 1926 by Desmond Fildes; the original business was established in Medina, Ohio and relocated to Grafton in 1941. This was a small business, making only about 50 motors per day, 1000 per year. By 1941 the business employed 50 people, and we suspect most of their business was in repair and rebuilding rather than in manfufacturing new motors. In any event, with the advent of World War II, the production of new motors ceased and the name changed to Fildes Motor & Manufacturing Co. They specialized in repairing GE motors for use on the woodworking and metalworking machine on portable repair trucks. They reported employed the entire local high school's senior class to repaint the motors and pack them for shipping. After the war, the repair and rebuilding business continued until the company closed its doors in 2001.

Information Sources

• We learned of this maker from a posting about a Delta 17" drill press with a "1750 rpm 1 hp 1 ph RI motor" from Filco.
• The 1945 Annual Report of the Ohio Secretary of State lists this company with a location of Medina, Ohio, and a date of November 13, 1942. It is not certain what this date represents.
• An expired eBay listing is for a set of three motor inspection tags from Filco Electric Motors of Grafton, Ohio.
• A 1951 Federal Munitions Board Federal Supply Code for Manufacturers lists Filco Electric Motors, Inc., of Grafton, Ohio.
• Thanks to correspondent Greg Sayers for pursuing inquiries on this company. Thanks also to John Kenny of the Grafton-Midview Public Library, and Doris Wildenheim, author of 190 years, 1817-2007: Our Heritage Trail, Grafton, Ohio, 2008. The following is from Doris Wildenheim's notes:

  Fildes Motor and Manufacturing Co.

  In 1926 Desmond Fildes was looking for a location to house his motor building and repair business. After selecting a building in Medina, he found the zoning had been changed. While checking a location in Elyria, it was suggested he check a vacant building on Cleveland Street in Grafton. It was just a shell, no electric, water or heat. However, the building suited his purpose and the sale was made. FILCO Electric Motors became Grafton's latest new business

  After the Rural Electric Company was developed in the 1930s, electricity was available to farmers. Fildes was making and repairing motors mainly for farmers. Fifty motors were produced in a day. In time the number reached 1,000 a year. By 1941, 50 people were employed.

  World War changed the company's priorities. New motors could not be made due to the war effort. The company, renamed Fildes Motor and Manufacturing Company, switched to repairing General Electric motors for use on lathes, saws, etc., in portable repair trucks. The entire senior class worked after school hours and summers painting the motors khaki, packing and sending them of to "war".

  Fildes Motor and Manufacturing Company closed ca 1987. (Note: date of last advertisement found.)

• Via email from Fen Fildes: "Desmond Fildes was my grandfather and I worked there from 1980 to 2000, the business closed in 2001. Electric r.i. type motors in sizes 1/2 3/4 1and 11/2 horse power were made in Medina from 1927 to 1941 and in Grafton from 1942 to 1952. After 1952 some special capacitor type single phase motors were made for Pittsburgh Erie knife sharpener, the shop mostly did repair and rewind work after 1952."