Old AdsWindsor

Kelsey Wheel Company

Today is another glimpse into the industrial history of our fair city.

The Kelsey Wheel Company (later Kelsey Hayes) was opened in Windsor in November of 1913. It was the first plant to be unionized by the UAW in Canada. It closed down not too long after I moved to Windsor, in October, 1990.

From the New York Times archives:

COMPANY NEWS; Canada Closing Set By Kelsey-Hayes
AP
Published: Saturday, October 20, 1990

A Kelsey-Hayes Canada Ltd. steel wheel plant in Windsor, Ontario, will be closed by the end of the month, resulting in the loss of about 450 hourly and salaried jobs, the company said. The company cited ”grave operational problems and mounting losses due to significant overcapacity in the steel wheels manufacturing industry.”

The equipment at the plant will be sold to its parent concern, the Kelsey-Hayes Company, based in Romulus Mich., for $8.5 million. Kelsey-Hayes Canada will continue making automobile brake components in Woodstock and St. Catharines, Ontario.

The plant pictured above in the ad dating from the mid-1950’s, was, and still is located on Howard Avenue. It is currently home to Veltri Metal Stamping. Although the have been some additions and demolitions over the last half century.

Anyone out there have any memories of the place to share?

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