Читать книгу Leaside - Jane Pitfield - Страница 13
ОглавлениеINDUSTRIAL AND BUSINESS AREAS EXPAND
ONCE THE Town was incorporated, the newly-formed Town Council, then without financial resources, acted quickly to encourage a solid industrial base to help defray costs. The industries came. The support for industrial development in Leaside is aptly described in the words of R.H. McGregor, Leaside’s member of Parliament in the Dominion Government: “…to my mind there is no place so well situated to meet the needs of industry as your municipality. You possess an abundant supply of labour of all kinds in your own and the surrounding municipalities, the best of shipping facilities and ample room for expansion. My business takes me over many parts of the Province each year and I have yet to see a place so well situated as Leaside.”1
LINCOLN ELECTRIC COMPANY OF CANADA LTD.
In mid-1914, a partnership of four with a capital investment of $1,500.00, formed a company to sell Lincoln electric motors in Canada. The four partners were: Mr. Melville Bertram, Mr. Robert Bertram, Mr. R. E. Smythies and a Mr. Milton. In 1925, the Bellwoods property (which ran north and south between Queen and Dundas, east of Shaw and west of Bathurst) was purchased for approximately $20,000.00. In 1928, the company was appointed the sole distributor in Canada for the Lincoln Electric Company, now located in Leaside. By 1930, it was incorporated federally and began the manufacturing of motors.
From 1930 to 1940, motors formed the greater part of their manufacturing, with Stator cores and rotors being purchased from the parent company in Cleveland, Ohio. Winding stators (part of electric motors) and rotors (armatures), making shafts and machining end yokes comprised the factory operations in Leaside.
The buses are lined up to take employees home from Leaside’s busy Industrial Park. Collection of Stuart Halliday.
An additional 2.5 acres of land were purchased in 1937 and four years later, in 1941, operations moved to the current Leaside Industrial Park site, the present location of the Company, approximately 400 to 500 feet east of the site of the old Canada Wire and Cable. Their new location boasted of being the first welded steel building in Canada.2 The facilities have grown from the original 30,000 sq.ft. building constructed in 1940, to the current 220,000 sq.ft. head office and manufacturing facility. Completed in 1952, this industrial site is set on 5.67 acres of land located between 163 and 179 Wicksteed Avenue. In addition, the company owns 1.14 acres of land on the north side of Wicksteed Avenue, currently used for employee parking, and leases a 50,000 sq.ft. building three blocks to the south on Esandar Drive which serves as their eastern Canada Distribution Centre.
The enlarged manufacturing area not only provides for expansion of electrode manufacturing, but also releases other space for manufacturing: d-c welding generators, both motor and gas engine driven; transformers; combination ac-dc welders and an extensive line of motors. Low-hydrogen and straight iron-powder electrodes—comparatively recent developments in welding—are now being produced.
Since 1918, Lincoln of Canada has been a pioneer in instruction courses for prospective welders, with welding schools organized right within the plant. A four-week basic arc welding course, a very special course, is offered on a regularly scheduled basis.
With more than 200 employees, the Lincoln Electric Company is well-known in academic and business communities for its profit sharing program for its employees and its incentive management programs.
Lincoln is Canada’s only manufacturer of arc welding equipment and is the largest manufacturer of arc welding consumables. The company also markets integral horsepower industrial electric motors, manufactured by the Cleveland plant. In 1993, it received ISO 9002 registration, the first welding consumable manufacturer in North America to do so.3 Today, its products are marketed not only in Canada, but also in the USA, Europe, Middle East and Southeast Asia. Lincoln Electric has been an active member of the Leaside Business Park and is currently expanding its ordering and shipping operations.
SANGAMO COMPANY LIMITED
This company, originally located at Laird Drive and Eglinton Avenue where Canadian Tire is currently found, began producing electric meters in 1904. Displayed above their buildings, clearly marking their presence to the public, was a large rotating oval sign. Their electric meters, designed to measure watt hours of hydro consumption, were exported to 16 countries, including Mexico, Portugal, Africa, Central America and Japan. Sangamo products were designed by Canadians, manufactured in Canada, made from Canadian materials and used by Canadians every day of the year in every province. The company had plants in Leaside and Three Rivers, Quebec, with sales offices in Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg and Edmonton. The Leaside plant covered 180,000 square feet and had employed 825 people.4
In 1970, Prestolite acquired the Sangamo Motor Division which was located in Sarnia, Ontario. Sangalarm, a device developed by Sangamo Company Ltd. of Toronto, monitored the use of electricity and warned when the electrical load was passing a predetermined peak. The company believed the alarm would assist in more efficient energy use. It permitted users to distribute the electrical load by shifting power use to times when requirements were not so high. Some time later, Sangamo moved to Guelph, Ontario.
A Sangamo advertisement, 1958. Taken from The Leaside Story by Charles Clay.
CANADA VARNISH LIMITED
In 1924, R. E. Edwards founded the Canada Varnish Limited, a factory occupying 4.5 acres of land in Leaside on Canvarco Road. The highly skilled and trained employees worked with very specialized equipment to manufacture a diversified line of paints, enamels, varnishes and lacquers for all uses, for both amateur and professional, and for either home and industry. The varnishes were used on the gumwood of many of the Leaside homes.5
An early photograph of Canada Varnish Limited. S. Walter Stuart Library, Elmore Gray Collection.
TREMCO LIMITED
Tremco’s origins were with a young Cleveland businessman, William C. Treuhaft, who believed that a successful company is based on well-trained salesmen who understand their customers’ requirements. In working as a sales trainer, Treuhaft perfected methods and concepts to the point where he believed he could start a very successful company that would prosper in the building maintenance and construction areas. Therefore, in 1928, the company was launched—TREMCO (TRE for Treuhaft, M for manufacturing, and CO for company). Simultaneously, the company’s sales horizons were expanded into Canada.
In the mid-1930s, Tremco enlarged its Canadian interests by establishing a small plant in Leaside in 1931 and consolidating the manufacturing operations previously performed by other companies. In 1950, they moved up the street on Wicksteed Avenue.
Within two years, Tremco’s growth and emergence into the international marketplace required the construction of a new facility at 220 Wicksteed Avenue, with subsequent expansions and the addition of a facility at 215 Wicksteed Avenue. Today, Tremco’s operations in Canada include: its head office, main distribution and manufacturing operations in three facilities in the Leaside Business Park; a manufacturing and distribution facility in Boucherville, Quebec; and an extended distribution network located in Dartmouth, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary and New Westminster, BC Tremco Inc. has its international headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, with more than 20 global locations including the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, Australia and Mexico.
William Treuhaft expected much from his employees and, in return, provided them with a rewarding environment in which they could excel. Possessing a love for the environment, Treuhaft, in 1942, purchased Salisbury Island, about 60 kilometres north of Toronto. This was to be used as a recreation getaway for Tremco employees. The island, approximately seven acres in size with two cottages, continues to be a popular vacation spot enjoyed by Tremco people and their families.
Tremco Ltd. is now structured and operated under the following Divisions: Sealant/Weatherproofing; Roofing and Building Maintenance; and Retail Products. Tremco leads the market with a full range of products responsive to the changing technology appropriate to today’s needs.
At 220 Wicksteed they have 8.4 acres, with a total of 207,000 square feet. The 215 Wicksteed warehouse and office, set on six acres was purchased in 1979. In 1984, they added the Roofing building and, again in 1985, a new addition was built.6
The business continues to expand and contribute to the industrial well-being of Leaside.
W. E. DILLON COMPANY LIMITED
W. E. Dillon Co. Ltd., originally established in Toronto by Mr. Dillon in 1890, commenced operations at the corner of Wicksteed and Copeland in 1942. The firm started as a branch plant to make ammunition boxes and other wartime supplies. The complete plant moved to Leaside in 1945, and buildings were expanded to cover their two-acre property and accommodate their production needs. The company’s post-war manufacturing included: hollow metal doors; fire doors; elevator doors and cabs; electrical control cabinets; toilet compartments and perforated metal grilles; Kalamein doors and custom sheet metal work.7
REGAL GREETINGS AND GIFTS INCORPORATED
The Regal story starts with one man, the founder, William S. McCartney. Originally from a farm, he came to the city in the 1920s looking for work. He started by apprenticing as a carpenter, but as there was very little building going on, he obtained a job selling envelopes. The experience led to his developing a great desire to manufacture greeting cards. Fortunately for McCartney, the woman he was dating at the time provided him with $500.00 to set up a business. He later married her and from that time on never worried about the business failing.
It was Edith McCartney who suggested the name “Regal.” They began by importing cards from the United States and Britain, but, by 1929, he was printing his own cards in Canada.
The business moved from a basement on Pape Avenue to a store on Greenwood Avenue and from there to a building on Pearl Street in downtown Toronto. The turning point was the purchase of a building at University Avenue and Simcoe Street which Regal occupied from 1946 to 1953.
Not only did Regal bring the first giant four-colour presses to Canada, but it was the first greeting card company in the world to manufacture its own envelopes. As well, the company was the first to produce its own gift wraps.
The first Regal catalogue was produced in the late 1930s. McCartney supported local artists by using their art design for his cards. The company had an interesting relationship with the sales representatives. Each year the reps would write to McCartney, telling him what their earned money had allowed them to do.
In 1974, Regal was sold to Canadian Corporate Management Company Ltd. This acquisition began an era of great expansion and, by 1986, Regal became part of Federal Industries Ltd.
The head office, manufacturing plant and store outlet is at 939 Eglin-ton Avenue. Customer mail orders come in to Leaside—where they are sorted and sent electronically for fulfillment. A supporter of the local community, Regal has sponsored such groups as the Leaside Garden Society, Leaside Hockey Association and the South Leaside Monday Group.
From an initial investment of $500.00 in 1928, Regal has grown into a business exceeding annual sales of one hundred million.8 Recently, Regal moved to Mississauga but still has a presence in Leaside.
APCO INDUSTRIES COMPANY LIMITED
APCO’s business is marketing to the coatings, ink, adhesive, rubber and specialty chemicals industries in industrial southern Ontario and Quebec.
In 1935, C.I. Grierson borrowed $3,000.00 from his mother, obtained credit with key suppliers and, with two good friends, launched the business. Grierson’s good friends, Frank Abernathy and Adam Capling, held shares in the company and the $3,000.00 loan was finally paid in 1944. Adam Capling handled the technical duties, C I. Grierson the marketing and Frank Abernathy looked after the office. The offices are in a century farm-style house which was acquired in 1935.
One of the company’s strengths is being able to capitalize on new and emerging markets. As the company expanded, there was a need for more land to accommodate their growth. The additional four acres obtained in 1965 contained manufacturing facilities laboratories, a tank farm and a warehouse. The business is split between distribution and manufacturing.
During the 40s they struggled to gain acceptance. For them, the 50s were a turning point that saw chemical solvents being added to the line. The 60s represented a period of change. APCO Petroleum Products split into APCO Sales and APCO Industries. In 1981, they became APCO Industries Company Ltd.
It is a family business. C.I. Grierson’s son, Jim, became the President in 1965. Approximately 20 years later his son, David, took the reins. As well, many of the 50 employees are the children of original workers.
APCO Industries is celebrating its 65th year at 10 Industrial Street in Leaside, in business as a distributer of petrochemicals and as a manufacturer of a wide range of products used in the metal working and heat treating industries.9
E. S. & A. ROBINSON (CANADA) LIMITED
In 1844, the founder of the Robinson group of companies, Elisha Smith Robinson, at the age of 27, set up a modest business in wrapping-paper and paper bags. His business was in Bristol, England and his first customers were grocers. Elisha took his youngest brother, Alfred, into the business in 1848. From this original combination comes the name— E. S. & A. Robinson.
One of the largest overseas operations of the Robinson group is in Canada. In 1932, the first Robinson factory was opened in Toronto. By 1960, there were over 1,000 employees with factory space of 393,000 square feet.
This company designed and produced a wide range of flexible packaging materials using paper, transparent film, plastics and aluminum foil, in single wall, duplex or laminated construction. The products are supplied to customers in either bag, pouch or reel form. Multi-colour printing embraces labels, calendars and advertising. Folding boxes and vacuum packaging for the food industry were also manufactured. Over the years, E. S. & A. Robinson were generous supporters of many Leaside hockey and baseball teams.
The E.S. & A. Robinson Canada Ltd. plant on Laird Drive. Courstesy Paul Beatt of Winpad Ltd.
The Sellotape Canada Ltd. company was formed in 1954 to market and distribute pressure-sensitive tape. This was the Canadian competitor to producers of “Scotch-tape.”
In 1969, the name of the company was changed to DRG Packaging. However, twenty years later, a venture capital group out of New York bought the company and the company was known as PNG Packaging. Finally, in 1992, Winpak Limited purchased the assets of the company and the name changed to Winpak Technologies Inc.
At their peak, the company employed 1,510 individuals in their facilities at both 73 and 85 Laird Drive and much of what we see in use today was developed here in Leaside. Some of the products are: labels on beer and soft drink bottles; cookie bags with tin-ties; In-Theatre popcorn bags; the window envelopes; “Sello-tape” and plastic packages for bacon and hot dogs.10
CORNING GLASS WORKS OF CANADA LIMITED
While Corning Glass Works’ head office is in Corning, New York, the Canadian Company branch was incorporated in 1945. Property was purchased from Research Enterprises in 1946, east of Brentcliffe and north of Vanderhoof. Production of glassware in Leaside began in June of that year.
That year, Corning melted the glass and made pyrex products through a process involving a big glass tank. Gradually, green glass blanks of preformed glass were brought in from the United States. By 1959, Corn-ingware was introduced and a sales force established. One of their very popular products, the pyrex glass decorated with the blue cornflower design, received wide distribution. Television picture tubes were also being manufactured at that time.
In 1978, the name changed to Corning Canada Incorporated. Shortly afterwards, an expansionary move was made to Bracebridge, Ontario, but the Leaside plant continued and all of the packaging was done in Leaside.
In Canada, the greatest growth period for the company was from 1960 to 1990. However, Corning left Leaside in 1991–1992 and moved to West Beaver Creek. Many functions (including packaging) were moved to the United States.11
VALVOLINE OIL COMPANY
Valvoline Oil, established in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1866, began in Leaside shortly after the town was incorporated in 1913. Its facility was at 31 Industrial Street, having moved there from Laird Drive.
The Corning plant at Brentcliffe and Eglinton, 1967. Leaside Camera Club, courtesy Herb Horwood.
The firm blended and packaged high quality lubricants and rust preventatives for distribution throughout all of Canada. During both World Wars, the company donated the Valvoline Victory Award Flags. These flags went to the three competitors representing the country which accumulated the greatest number of points at the International Band show.
In the late 1970s, they moved to Royal Windsor and Winston Churchill in Mississauga. They are still located there. Valvoline produces car products such as Pyroil and Eagle One. With 86 employees in Canada today, the company supports the Molson Indy.12
REO MOTOR COMPANY OF CANADA LIMITED
At the end of the war (WWII), Canadian truck and bus operators needed new vehicles by the thousands, to replace worn out equipment long, long overdue for scrapyards. Of course, this was also the case the world over—a demand that would take years to satisfy. In 1946, this was an opportunity for the Reo Motor Company of Canada Ltd. to launch an extensive assembly and plant operation at Leaside’s Vanderhoof Avenue. The company would produce some of the needed vehicles.13
The location selected was a large and modern plant which had been part of the wartime Research Enterprises complex at Laird and Eglinton. With the war over, the property was offered for peacetime development through the War Assets Corporation, as, in fact, were other wartime plants which were attractive to automotive companies. Studebaker acquired one such plant in Hamilton for Canadian production, and several other plants were disposed of in much the same way.
Reo had been active in Leaside since 1931, initially with Dominion Motors and then later in buildings acquired from Dominion when that firm closed during 1933 and 1934. Reo stayed on in its ex-Dominion premises on Commercial Road until just after the war, when it moved a little northwards to its new and spacious stand on Vanderhoof. While shutting down on Commercial Road, Reo opened a new sales and service depot in downtown Toronto, seen at the time as more convenient for the city’s truck owners.
The operation on Vanderhoof Avenue was on a substantial scale and far exceeded anything Reo had achieved with Dominion Motors while on Commercial. Some 250 workers were employed at peak production times, in addition to personnel in the company’s general offices, sales and export departments. These offices were also located right in the plant.
Ideal for assembly lines, the property offered 60,000 sq. ft. of production area, space that was ample for three lines: one for trucks; another for buses and coaches; and a third for the Canadian assembly of Kaiser and Frazer cars. The latter had just come on the market and was a new name in the automotive industry. Both cars sold reasonably well initially when their sponsors managed to get them into a market clamouring for new cars, before many of their rivals had reconverted from military production to automobiles. For a time, at least, most of the taxicabs in Toronto were Frazers, many presumably from the Leaside plant.
Reo had no interest in the marketing of these cars, the assembly program was simply a contract the company had with the Canadian Kaiser-Frazer organization for the supply of completed vehicles to be sold and distributed by the latter. The plan was one that Reo had entered into with Dominion Motors back in 1931. Dominion Motors would assemble Reo cars and trucks under contract for sale by Reo, however the Depression did not allow this to happen.
