Our History - Competence & Commitment since 1955

In 1949, Riddell Sheet Metal hired Bob Graham at age 16 as a helper for the summer. Bob’s brother, Ed, worked at Riddells at that time and I am sure was instrumental in Bob being hired. This summer job turned into a permanent position as Bob did not return to school, but continued his education at night school, taking a drafting course.

One year later, in 1950, Riddells hired a sheet metal estimator by the name of Arnold Urech. The Urech/Graham relationship grew from that time both at work as well as socially.

I first met Bob Graham and Arnold Urech when I was 12 years old. My family lived on Hester Street on a 5 acre lot across from where the Hester Street Arena stands today. As this area was developed, we noticed the arrival of a young family travelling past our house on a motorcycle with a sidecar, who happened to be building a home adjacent to my family’s property, at what is now the corner of Hester Street and Manning Avenue. I was very surprised to meet our new neighbour, Arnold Urech, at the 13th Boy Scout Troop, which held their meetings at the Barton Stone Church Hall, at the corner of Upper James and Stone Church Road. Arnold Urech, estimator for Riddell Sheet Metal, turned out to be the new Scout Master, and, more surprisingly, Bob Graham, draftsman at Riddell Sheet Metal, was his Assistant Scout Master.

The friendship of Arnold and Bob, through working at Riddells and their mutual involvement with the Boy Scout movement, resulted in the decision to start their own business 50 years ago. Bob was then 22 years old, the business was named “Lancaster Automatic Heating” and was located at Arnold’s residence - the office was in the house and the garage was the sheet metal shop!

During my high school years, I worked part time at Lancaster, and after graduation, continued to work full time at International Harvester and part time at Lancaster. Lord Baden Powell probably had a major influence in my being hired at Lancaster in the first place.

One year after graduation from Hill Park Secondary in 1958, Bob and Arnold offered me a full time job. I accepted their offer in 1959, some 46 years ago, when I was 20 years old and wages were $50.00 per week! This is a decision I have never regretted.

In May of 1960, Lancaster moved to 128 Luscombe Street. We were tenants of J & E Tile for 3 years and in 1963 we purchased the building and J & E Tile became our tenants. Lancaster Sheet Metal Ltd. became incorporated in 1962 at this location, which remained our home base until February 1979.

Bob Graham and I became partners in 1966. As our business grew and expanded, we needed more shop and office space. In 1974 we presented an offer to the City of Hamilton to purchase Lot 28 in the East Mountain Industrial Park. Five years later, on March 23, 1979, we moved into our new premises. The property at 128 Luscombe was sold and was subdivided into residential lots. The main reason we moved to the Mountain Industrial Park was the promise from the City of Hamilton to construct the Mountain Expressway and the Red Hill Creek Connection to the QEW.

During the last 10 years, we have more than doubled the size of our original offices and shop at 195 Hempstead. Our expansion has included 2 sunroom offices, shop offices and a shop extension. This year we have built a new boardroom and additional offices.

LANCASTER TODAY

Lancaster has been a unionized sheet metal contractor since 1956. We have enjoyed a respectful working relationship with Local 537, Sheet Metal Workers’ Union, Hamilton Branch. We look forward to working with the Union in the future to improve and maintain our market share.

We have had the privilege of working with a variety of customers, suppliers, architects, engineers and professional colleagues over the years in the Industrial, Commercial and Institutional sectors of the Construction Industry. A big thank you to all for your support over the last 50 years!

Lancaster’s goal is to “Build a Legacy” in the Sheet Metal Contracting Industry by being equally committed to customers and employees, based on the team concept of Sheet Metal Sales, Operations and Administration.

Lancaster has been blessed with many exceptional employees past and present. This celebration of Lancaster’s 50 years in business has been achieved by the loyal dedication of all our employees.

We all look forward to a bright and prosperous future for Lancaster Sheet Metal Ltd.!

(The preceding excerpt from Lorne Hubber’s 50th Anniversary address, October 2005)