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 Gilson Manufacturing -
The History
E.
Barelman founded the Canadian branch of Gilson Manufacturing in 1907. The
American parent company was located in Port Washington, and was named
after John Gilson, a pioneer in the development of the internal combustion
engine and inventor of the Tilting and Revolving Chair Iron.
The Guelph branch plant was established on York road,
and the original facility was 13,000 square feet and employed 34 employees.
The chief product line was gasoline engines designed for agricultural use,
but the company expanded into manufacturing appliances like furnaces,
electric washers, and refrigeration equipment. Expanding sales and a
diversifying product line required ever-larger plant and office
facilities, and by 1955, the Gilson plant occupied 130,00 square feet of
floor space on 14 acres of land.
The company was so successful that the American
interests were bought out in 1914. The company remained independent until
1948, when it was integrated with Robert Elder Limited of Toronto.
After 70 years of production
in Guelph, however, the company’s fortunes changed and the plant closed its doors for good.
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