• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

MarionMade

People, Places, Products, Programs

Visit Us On FacebookVisit Us On TwitterVisit Us On YoutubeCheck Our FeedVisit Us On Instagram
We Are Having Fun!We Are Generous!We Are Presidential!
  • Get Involved
  • About
  • Events
    • MarionMade! 5k Sign Up
  • People
  • Places
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Links
  • Contact

Fulfillment Corporation of America

By MarionMade! on July 25, 2018

GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN.

Have you heard of Fulfillment Corporation of America (FCA), later known as Kable Fulfillment Services? Many today have not.

The company was founded in Marion in 1948 by two forward thinking businessmen—Wendell Ward and Edwin (Jack) Kinter, who worked together in Chicago for Time Inc., developing a unique database management system before the word “database” was known.

They first came to Marion, renting a building at 382 W. Center Street to form their own company, because of the rail service. The company grew serving the publishing industry in managing subscriber data information. Through the years, they had part of their operations at various Marion locations, including 136 South Prospect Street, 126 Blaine Avenue, numerous downtown locations along West Center Street, 173 Oak Street, and an office for their Defense Division in Dayton to serve the Wright Patterson base. By the late 1950s, they grew to open an outbound mailing operation, as well as clerical operations. They even formed another division, INELECTRON, to try to build a commercial computer in the 1950s but, unfortunately, that division ran out of money.

The fulfillment business prospered and, by 1960, there was a mainframe computer on their third floor at the Center Street location–the first in Marion. Fulfillment soon expanded and installed additional mainframes to handle the expanding customer data. By the 1960s, they were running 24/7 and FCA rented time from other companies. By then, they maintained databases totaling over 25,000,000 households. At its peak, the staff on the payroll, which averaged 200 to 300, in the 50s and 60s and grew to 500 to 700 in the 90s.

This staff of quality people supported all facets of Marion, from being the highest per capita donors to United Way to being active with many others. It was a sad day when Kable closed, after 60 years of operation. But, for those 60 years, FCA was the gold standard of community support and the MarionMade! spirit and needs to be remembered in Marion’s business history.

#MarionMade #WeAreMarionHistory

Recent MarionMade! Stories

  • Cummins Facility Services

    CUMMINS FACILITY SERVICES: CLEANING UP LIFE’S MESSES. Cummins Facility Services (CFS) has been part of the fabric of the Marion business community since 1972, when Ron and Myra Cummins got their start providing janitorial services to local area businesses. Forty-five years later and CFS still calls Marion home; but, under the leadership of Ron and […]Read More »
  • Jodi Rife Loves Sparkle in Children’s Faces At the Holidays

    Jodi Rife was born in Marion. After graduating from Harding High School in 1985, she moved to Dublin but came back here to raise her family. Rife’s career and volunteer efforts are focused on helping children in Marion, especially at the holidays. For 25 years, Rife has served as the director of the Christmas Clearinghouse, […]Read More »
  • Veterans and Families Honor Service with Military Banners

    A group of veterans and volunteers are working to honor service members with hundreds of military banners around Marion. “It makes me proud. Marion pays respect to citizens who accept the call to service,” said Randy Drazba, the group’s organizer. Drazba started the military banners four years ago with co-chairman Larry Elliot. Several other members […]Read More »
  • Yancey Clinic

    THE YANCEY CLINIC OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. Born in Marion, Dr. Scott Yancey graduated from Ridgedale High School, the University of Findlay, and The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine before returning to Marion to begin practicing. With the help and support of his wife, Tina, his parents, Jerry and Betty Yancey, and his wife’s […]Read More »

Share Your MarionMade! Story

Click Here to share your story about MarionMade! people, places, products, and programs!
  • Get Involved
  • About
  • Events
  • People
  • Places
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Links
  • Contact

Marion Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Downtown Marion Love INC Marion Public Library Marion Area Chamber of Commerce Marion CANDO! Marion Community Foundation United Way of Marion County Marion Technical College

© 2025 · MarionMade! is a community initiative led by Marion Technical College · Website is powered by Neighborhood Image