Leaside. Jane Pitfield
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