From the Windsor Star – December 31, 1964
- CONTINUOUS EXPANSION – Windsor Tool and Die Ltd.,
1680 Kildare Rd., has undergone an expansion nearly every
year since the firm located on Kildare Rd. in 1948. The
nearly 60,000 square-foot building houses to subsidiary
operations, Banner Metals and Flagg Fire Equipment. It
specializes in a wide variety of work, mainly in the stamping
field for the automotive industry. Employing more than 200
worker, the business was started in Windsor in 1927. Another
addition to the plant is just completed to provider additional
manufacturing space. The photo shows the front view of the
office and plant.
As a 10 yr.old (in the late 60’s) I used to deliver morning newspapers there. By there, I mean I walked right in the plant alone, no security, no one around (it was 6am),walked all over the plant and dropped off my papers to various workstations.
It was also how I learned about the ‘wide variety’ of what women had under their shirts, the place was plastered with topless pics……ahhh, the fringe benefits of the job 😉
Does the building still exsist?
Yes..the place is still standing and I believe operating.
Saw this in windsoriteDOTca
http://windsorite.ca/2012/01/reuse-planned-for-former-windsor-tool-die-building/
Reuse Planned for Former Windsor Tool & Die Building
Windsor Rubber Processing is a new Windsor business that will be opening at 1680 Kildare Road in South Walkerville which specializes in recyling used tires into powdered rubber. Their product is used for athletic fields, garden mulch and as playground covering.
The company also plans to manufacture old rubber products such as auto parts, rubber sidewalks, anti-fatigue mats and patio pavers.
If approved by City Council, Windsor Rubber Processing will qualify for financial incentives under the City’s Business Development Grant Program — intended to stimulate new investment in the area and diverify the local economy.
At its Kildare location, Windsor Rubber Processing plans to invest almost a million dollars into the building including a new roof, construction of a new canopy, installation of a large scale and a new electrical system.
A report from City Administration cites as risks a continued vacancy at the property should it not be developed and the possibility of concerns from nearby residents of a rubber recyling facility being located in their neighbourhood.
If approved by City Council, Windsor Rubber Processing will be elegible for annual grants of up to 100% of its municipal taxes for reuse of the Kildare property.
years ago i drove expedite service for one of the local trucking companies twice a week i would take a load of vehicle rims to another plant in Cambridge ontario i noticed that the company employed a large number of females not that there’s anything wrong with that
I used to pass this building frequently and have wondered about its history. I love the curved walls with glass brick.
Ah memories i started to work there in 1955-1960 48 cents an hour. Tool& Die apprentice. Also found my wife there on the Banner Metal side as about 6 of us married girls that were working there at that time. P.s.None of them looked like the pictures on the walls though i remember those well to, Ha Ha
I had a meeting in that building a few years ago. I didn’t see the plant but the office area was gorgeous and had a very 1940s feel to it (not that I’m an expert). I wonder if it is possible that is has remained original all these years. Let’s hope so, and that it still is. I wonder if anyone has photos of the interior.
Hey I know this is a little off topic but I was wondering if anybody knew any history about Lesperance in Tecumseh. I was wondering the history behind the little medical building on Little River and Lesperance as I knew the streetcar used to go right by it.
I used to deliver steel to the south side of that building .The rear of the building looked pretty emptie inside .Lots of space tho.The company i was delivering to only used the front left south side of the building from what i could see.Idont remeber the tho.As a delivery driver for a steel company ive got to see inside alot of old shops and what not.Cool to see.Went to another big stamping shop off te nort service road parallel to te expressway.Like i read in another post its a shame this crap city doesnt restore and reuse the emptie buildings and heritage we already have.Visted halifax this past year and thats all their about is preserving historic buildings .Its just a shame tear it down and rebuild new modern tasless crap.