Oshawa plant history from an University recruitment ad for Hudaille dated 1966
THE COMPANY
In 1834, in the town of Brockville, Ontario, a partnership was formed between Sylvester Skinner and William McCullough. They produced farm implements such as scythes, snaths and grain cradles. The demand for this equipment was constant, prior to the invention of mechanical reapers, and the partnership thrived.
In 1857 Sylvester Skinner was able to buy out his partner. He then moved to Gananoque where a much larger plant was constructed, and about this time he brought his two sons into the business as partners.
One of the sons, Sylvester Case Skinner, became sole owner after his father and brother passed away, and in 1898 he incorporated the firm under an Ontario charter.
By 1910 the demand for Skinner type farm implements had practically disappeared, but the revolutionary automobile industry was beginning to take shape. With foresight, the Skinner Company successfully turned to the manufacture of round bar bumpers for Ford cars.
With the outbreak of World War I, automotive production was curtailed. During this period the Skinner Company manufactured bits, stirrups and spurs for the Canadian Cavalry division.
In 1920 the company returned to the manufacture of spring bar bumpers, and in 1924 became patent licensee and commercial representative of the C. G. Spring and Bumper Company of Detroit, Michigan. Through this association the Skinners Company expanded rapidly, becoming the largest producers of automotive bumpers in Canada.