Ford Motor Company. Purchasing Dept.

Albert M. Wibel was born in 1886 on a farm near Peru, Indiana. After graduating high school, he taught school while pursuing higher education at Indiana University at Bloomington. An interest in the Model T brought him to Detroit in 1912, and he began working for Ford Motor Company in the Engineering Procurement Office, attending night school to obtain a law degree. Wibel advanced steadily at Ford and by 1927 he was responsible for the entire Purchasing Department, which managed a vast worldwide operation of buyers, outside suppliers, machinery, and raw materials. During World War II, he worked alongside Edsel Ford and Charles Sorensen on dealings with the U.S. government regarding contracts for military aircraft and vehicles, a situation in which his accurate large-scale cost estimates were highly valued. Wibel was promoted to vice president in charge of purchasing in 1941. After leaving Ford Motor Company in 1943 he became vice president in charge of purchasing at Nash-Kelvinator (later American Motors).

From the description of A.M. Wibel records series, 1903-1943 (bulk 1923-1943). (The Henry Ford). WorldCat record id: 176056096