Globe-Union in Canada

Globe-Union opens first Canadian factory

Centralab Toronto

Globe-Union’s Canadian facility in Ajax, a suburb of Toronto

March 19, 1952 (PD: 201203)

The March 19, 1952 edition of the Toronto Globe & Mail reported that Globe-Union Inc. (predecessor of Johnson Controls’ Power Solutions Business Unit) was forming a wholly owned subsidiary, Globe-Union Canada Ltd., to do business in Canada.

Wyeth Allen, Globe-Union president, announced that the company’s Centralab division would begin manufacturing operations in leased factory space in Toronto.

Centralab made a variety of electronic components used in radios, televisions, telephones and other devices.  Centralab president W. S. Parsons stated the new plant in Toronto was built to capitalize on the company’s expanding electronics business in Canada.

Unfortunately, just a year later, on March 24, 1953, a fire destroyed the Toronto factory.  Within three weeks, however, production was resumed at a larger facility in Ajax, a suburb of Toronto.