CanMark Industries Ltd. based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, was
founded in 1911 as The Canadian Stamp Company under the entrepreneurship
of an Icelander, Mr. S. O. Bjerring and a Scotsman, Mr. Gillon. Having
learned their trade by working for the Manitoba Stamp & Stencil
Co., they manufactured solid quality products which caused business to
flourish.
It wasn’t until the late 1950's that the name of the company
was changed to the familiar "Canadian Rubber Stamp Co.", owned and
operated at that time by Ted Clay, Art Hardman and Albert Clay. A major
fire in 1965 resulted in a total loss of assets and destruction of the
building at 324 Smith Street.
After the fire, Albert Clay retired with Wilf Bromilow coming
in as an equal partner. The company was relocated at 370 Notre Dame
Avenue in Winnipeg. In 1974, Art Hardman decided it was time to retire.
In 1975, another move took place to the 1422 Notre Dame location.
Shortly thereafter, Wilf passed away and ownership was shared between
Ted Clay and Mastermark Systems Inc. In 1988, Ted Clay also retired.
A new building was purchased at the present location of 135
Midland Street (off Notre Dame Ave) and the company name was changed to
Canadian Marking Systems to reflect the diversity of products available.
Ted’s son-in-law, Terry Bias, became the general manager and
held this position until April 2002, when he purchased the company. As
its president, Terry is committed to carrying on the company’s tradition
of quality and fast, courteous service. The company is now operating
as a division of CanMark Industries Ltd.
CanMark, in one form or another, now celebrates 100 years of service in Winnipeg. For a centenarian, we're pretty sharp.
We aren't old, were experienced.