American Machine and Foundry. . . . . and an anecdote about quality.
First, let me start by saying that I don't believe your Minnesota Fats pool table was manufactured by AMF, because they would have added their insignia to it somewhere.
But this post isn't about your table.
It's not even about AMF pool tables. (mostly. . . .)
It's about American Machine and Foundry, and quality.
or lack there of.
American Machine and Foundry manufactured complicated mechanical equipment. In the 1940s, following WWII (the big one!) the recreational desires of returning servicemen and their families led to a boom in demand for mechanical pinsetters and ball returns. AMF made a killing in this market, and began to expand into other facets of recreation for Americans.
Yes, they made pool tables. And volleyball sets. And Badminton. Even the perilous Lawn Darts.They wanted to serve every recreational desire you might have. . .
They acquired the Holiday Rambler motorhome company.
Then in 1968, they purchased an American icon. The last remaining motorcycle manufacturer in the United States.
Harley-Davidson.
They immediately changed the tank insignia to "AMF Harley-Davidson". (This is why I'm certain that regardless of branding,they would have gotten an "AMF" on there somewhere if they'd been involved).
They took the prestigious Harley-Davidson name and affixed it to an inferior line of gasoline powered golf carts.
Then came the engineering changes. In an effort to "streamline" production, (read : reduce production costs and save pennies), corners were cut in the manufacturing process. This led to, among other problems, the notorious "marks it spot" oil leaks.AMF's mismanagement of the brand led to dissatisfaction among the remaining executives within the Harley-Davidson division. They recognised that they still had a marketable product, and they had enough brand loyalty remaining to want to save the name.
In 1981, a group of Harley executives, led by Willie G.Davidson (then director of styling, and grandson of founder Bill Davidson) and Vaughn Teerlink (then corporate vice president of of the Harley-Davidson brand under AMF) began acquiring stock, until they had enough to force a leveraged buyout of the brand.
This was one of the first corporate grabs in a decade which became notorious for
leveraged buyouts.
As an aside, when people used to ask what the AMF on our gas tanks meant, the standard response was "Adios, M*therF*ckers!"
.
Then, in 1968, they purchased an American icon.