George Kelson completed his apprenticeship as a plumber, steamfitter, and sheet metal worker in 1922. After working as a skilled tradesman, he recognized the growing need for businesses that were knowledgeable and efficient. In 1944, with sixty dollars and a tool kit, he decided to go into business for himself.
Working with Beryl Iverson as a partner, Kelson took on work of larger scope and complexity. Gradually the company grew as it gained a reputation for on-time, on-budget, high caliber work in the areas of plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning. In 1982, with the satisfaction of having achieved a successful career, George Kelson retired. The business became a family tradition as his sons Rod, Larry and Donald, who had been training and preparing for careers in the mechanical contracting industry, took over.
The reputation of the firm further grew in the 1980s with work on projects such as Mount Sinai Research Centre, Scarborough Centenary Hospital and the Allstate Insurance Head Office Building. With success came a recognition of the responsibility of the company to its employees and customers and the company dedicated itself to becoming one of the most dependable, productive, and professional mechanical contracting firms in the Greater Toronto Area.
As the 1990s dawned the company continued to develop and adapt to the marketplace and this ability allowed it to remain buoyant during the recessionary period. Once the economy improved the company was well positioned to do some of the largest work in the industry. Throughout the decade the company completed a number of milestone projects including the York Administrative Centre, Nortel, the Bayview Regional Cancer Clinic, and Apotex Pharmaceutical.
The new millennium brought a number of opportunities and challenges that were both unfamiliar and exciting. We increased the scope of our industrial base with projects like Torpharm, Novex, and Kellogg’s manufacturing facility. We brought to life many of the premiere cultural achievements in Canada like Vaughan Mills Mall, the National Ballet School, and the Art Gallery of Ontario.
As the company grew to become the paramount mechanical contractor in Ontario we instituted and refined our methods of project delivery and improved our customer service and sophistication as contractors while remaining focused on quality installation. Our contract for mechanical design-build services of the William Osler Health Centre, the largest healthcare infrastructure project in Canada, is an example of the passion, skill, hard work, and integrity that lies at the core of the company.
Throughout our history the dedication and commitment of our employees and customers has been the engine behind our growth and achievement; we thank you all.