Owner First Atlantic Capital Founded 1909 | Founder Bennett M. Leece Website www.prestolite.com | |
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Industry Heavy Duty (automotive) Products AlternatorsStarter MotorsRegulators | ||
55 amp leece neville alternator modified to generate 240 volts
Leece-Neville is a global manufacturer and supplier of alternators, starters, electrical equipment and services to the transportation, industrial, military, marine, agricultural and construction industries. Leece-Neville serves as a division of Prestolite Electric.
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Blueghost 338 suburban leece neville
Early history
The Leece-Neville co. was organized in 1909 by Cleveland inventor Bennett M. Leece and financier Sylvester M. Neville. Incorporated in 1910 with capital of $61,000, Leece-Neville opened at 2069 E. 4th St. in Cleveland, Ohio. The company moved to 5363 Hamilton Ave. in 1915. In 1918, Leece had developed a self-starting ignition system, for which he received the patent for that year. Leece-Neville starters and electrical systems were standard position for the Haynes Automobile Company.
Post war era
The company flourished during World War II, producing electrical starters, generators, and Voltage regulators for airplanes, trucks, and industrial and marine equipment. After the war, the company pioneered the use of the alternator on municipal vehicles such as fire trucks, police cars, and buses. By 1950, the company held 56 patents, and with the introduction of the alternator on passenger cars in 1960, company growth and expansion continued. In 1955, Leece-Neville purchased a plant at E. 51st St. and St. Clair to expand production, and in 1959, established a plant in Gainesville, Georgia.