Albert Kahn Associates is a large Detroit firm that did extensive early and groundbreaking architectural design work for the Ford Motor Company.

Ford systematically acquired land, an existing dam on the Huron River, and water rights in the area where the old Metler and Diekman Mills stood.

Products the factory made included headlights, taillights, and interior light shells, reflectors, and lamp sockets.

Commentators attribute the demise of the village industries concept, which the Flat Rock plant was part of, to a variety of factors including company leadership not understanding the value or money-making potential of these enterprises, obsolescence of facilities, and most prominently – unionization (Siegel).

Production at the Flat Rock Head & Tail Light Plant ceased in 1950, and operations were moved to the larger Monroe factory.

In 1950 the vacant Flat Rock plant was sold to Moynahan Bronze Company that was then located in Detroit and which subsequently moved.

Stearns Manufacturing owned and operated the plant from 1972 to 1981, at which time the present owner, Flat Rock Metal Inc., leased the building.