Oshawa Community Museum and Archives

Oshawa Community
Museum and
Archives

Please Choose a Company from the List Below

Pedlar People Ltd.

Interior of the Pedlar People Building circa 1957
A980.72.3d file 2269

This long lasting sheet metal company was first established in 1861 by Henry Pedlar and was first located at the corner of Simcoe and Bond Sts. Henry Pedlar died only 11 years after creating the company. After his death, his son George H. Pedlar took over management. In 1892, the company moved to Simcoe and Metcalfe (where Memorial Park is located today) and converted an old stable into a small metal stamping plant. It was at this time when they became known as the Pedlar Metal Roofing Company and
manufactured metal roofing, siding and ceilings. By 1894, Pedlar claimed to be the ‘largest sheet metal factory in the British Empire and to produce ‘the best metal roofing in the world.’ In 1911, they changed their name again to the Pedlar People Ltd. and two years later Walter R. Geikie took over as manager following the death of his father-in-law, G.H. Pedlar. During WWI, Pedlar People Ltd., like many other companies made their contribution to the war effort. During the post war period they prospered and moved to a new location on Simcoe St. S. In the 1930’s the Depression slowed Pedlar’s progress, but they weathered the storm and survived in goodnbsp health.

Staff photo of Pedlar People Ltd. Oshawa, Ont.
A980.66.1.9 Oversize Box

It was during WWII that Pedlar People Ltd. played a highly important role as they produced 40mm anti-aircraft, and 75mm field gun artillery shells, as well as 4.5 mm cartridge cases. They also produced radar cabinets, army huts, munitions shelters, mobile service parts and many other items that were needed by Canada and her Allies. This outstanding service won the Pedlar People the highest praise from Canada’s war production authorities. They also learned new techniques during this time, which helped with the consumer backlog during the years following the war. In 1950-1, Walter Geikie retired due to ill health and his son John took over. In 1976 Pedlar People Ltd. was purchased by a Toronto holding company that was controlled by Graeme G. Kirkland. Three years later, Pedlar Storage Products Ltd., a division of the plant, was built with a new head office in the Stevenson Industrial Park. The Pedlar People were not to last much longer though, May 20, 1949 as the Simcoe St. S plant was demolished in 1981 to make way for a 3 shopping centre, and in 1982, Pedlar Storage Products closed due to high interest rates and a shortage of domestic steel. For over 120 years, Pedlar gave steady employment to 300-500 men and was one of the great industries of Oshawa.