Complex sentence: Like many manufacturers during World War II (1942--1945), Speed Queen halted its production of laundry equipment to manufacture 20mm shells as well as parts for airplanes, tanks and guns.
Split into simpler sentences: Like many manufacturers during World War II (1942--1945), Speed Queen halted its production of laundry equipment to support the war effort. They manufactuered 20mm shells as well as parts for airplanes, tanks and guns.