IS THERE A LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET? - Today, it’s very hard.
The other day I was discussing a place where I used to work. I tried to do some investigating and realised there is hardly anything that can be found on the organisation. I assume primarily because most of its business was conducted pre-internet — pre personal computer too.
That small organisation along with some (to me) memorable individuals really did have an influence on me. So the following is just a little post mortem of the company from my point of view and to maybe give it some internet life.
Earl Robert Davey was born in Hamilton, Ontario, 8 April, 1906 and died 20 December, 1996. He joined the Canadian Ohio Brass Company in Niagara Falls. During the next 46 years he progressed up the ranks from his appointment as factory Manager in 1952 through to President in 1962 to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in 1976. The latter two he held until his retirement in 1980.
He became a director in 1964 of the parent Ohio Brass Company located in Mansfield, Ohio during which time, in addition to directing the Niagara Falls plant, there was one key achievement to be mentioned — he was instrumental in developing a second Canadian plant at Pointe Claire Q.C. in 1966 and in building a new plant at Baie d'Urfé Q.C. in 1975.
MY CAREER IN FINANCE STARTS HERE
I worked at both Quebec sites in the Accounting Department (would be called Finance today) from 1975 to 1980 so I was involved in a lot of the companies activities.
OB CANOBEC as it was called, was located first in Pointe Claire and then moved to the new plant in Baie d'Urfe. It was a division of Canadian Ohio Brass and its headquarters was located in Niagara Falls, ON.
In 1978, Canadian Ohio Brass was purchased by Harvey Hubbell.
CANOBEC was primarily an assembly operation but also fabricated parts from raw steel for Utility trucks. The main product lines at the time I was there were: Mining industry Roof Bolts,
High Tower Porcelain Insulators and Holan Division — which assembled fully hydraulic aerial devices and buckets, also fabricated precision made customer-specific truck utility bodies and service vehicle ladder racks.
Some of the primary customers were:
- Hydro Quebec
- Bell Canada
- Toronto Hydro
- Niagara Utilities.
The new plant at 19,400 Cruickshank Ave. in Baie d'Urfe (1975–1983) also introduced a real shift in product. This plant was now physically divided with the assembly in one section and a brand new steel foundry — and not just a foundry — but (based on my recollection) it was the first completely electric foundry in North America. Two important customers back then were General Motors of Canada and Canadian National Railways.
What a shame it did not survive.