25 YEARS CAPTION : Front – L to R: Chau Tu Ly, Le Ha Ly, Rosanne Bates, Jing Jin Lyn, Vieng Frichitthavong, Khith Manotham, Stacey Schaefer, Cheryl Ann Kurtz, Jacki Slotboom, Tin Le Ly, Mariola Rzeznik, Alina Rzeznik, Jerzy Rzeznik, Phat Tran, and Thuy Hong Nguyen.
Back – L to R: Stanislaw Sarba, Rob Ireland, Brad Ireland, and Angelo Dionissopoulos.
Celebrating 50 Years
On Saturday, May 28, 2016, Guelph Tool Inc. marked its 50th Anniversary with a much anticipated celebration held at Bingemans Marshall Hall in Kitchener. Upon arrival, guests were greeted by Rob and Nuala Ireland, Brad and Tonya Ireland, and all of their children, who provided valuable assistance at the registration table. While enjoying refreshments and hors d’ouevres, guests had the opportunity to be photographed at the photo wall by a professional photographer, to commemorate the occasion.
The Hall was elegantly decorated with signature corporate colours: lighting, balloons, and linen tablecloths with matching napkins. Candelabra crystal table centerpieces were topped with a fresh flower arrangement which were won by a lucky guest at each table through a fun contest.
At each place setting was a commemorative keepsake wine glass etched with the Guelph Tool Inc. 50th logo along with a small package of blue and white macaroon cookies wrapped in cellophane, finished off with a “50th Anniversary – Thank you for celebrating with us!” label.
Employees and their guests were treated to a delicious 3 course dinner consisting of appetizers, roast chicken, and a dessert which was topped with the Guelph Tool Inc. logo imprinted on a chocolate biscuit.
During dinner, a running slide show of pictures taken throughout the 50 years were projected on large screens throughout the hall. The slide show consisted of historical and current pictures of the different social activities held throughout the years and pictures of employees at work. Response to the photo show was extremely positive and well-received. Thank you to the following for their work in preparing this presentation: Royal Rd. – Ali Mostoufi and Daryl Rotondo; Corporate Staff – Carol Brooke; Massey Rd. – Rhonda Green and Mike Huisman; and Lewis Rd. – David Hunt. Carol Dow provided archived submission.
Dinner was followed by presentations. Master of Ceremonies, Sam Tall, kept the formal proceedings running smoothly.
The evening started off with recognizing the retirees who attended the Gala which included Marie Bruce, Glyn Coles, Diane Doyle, Bill Edwards, Charlene Fleming, Gino Frasson, Doug Hutton, Peter Ireland, Marc Landry, John Nelson, Marg Penford, Robert Stockford, Jerzy Polaski and Sharon Tobin. Apologies to retiree Wayne Lewis, whose name we inadvertently missed announcing.
APMF Plant Manager, Vern Comeaux and his wife Sherri, also received special mention.
Rob Ireland, President and Brad Ireland, V.P. Corporate Development, made special attribute to Guelph Tool’s founder, their father, Robert (Bob) Ireland, and presented him with a gift.
Bob Ireland was invited up to the podium, where he made a speech, citing the phenomenal growth of the Company over the years, from a 10 foot x 20 foot size facility named Guelph Tool & Die, located on Fountain Street in downtown Guelph in 1965, to its current size. Bob said that growth was not without its challenges, however, he looks forward to the Company’s positive future under the capable leadership of his sons. Bob expressed deep pride in his three sons: Rob, Brad and John, together with their families, and on their achievements, as they continue to grow the business with the support of its hard-working employees.
Gifts of appreciation were presented to Dr. Irene Matthews, Editor of GTI EXPRESS, and to retirees Bob Stockford for 37 years of service and to Peter Ireland, for 48years of service at Guelph Tool Inc.
The organizing committee of Angelo Dionissopoulos, Uyen Nguyen and Harmeet Kambo were thanked for their dedication in making the Gala such a success.
Rob Ireland then spoke about the Company’s history. Beginning with -machine work for local Guelph companies in 1970 and manufacturing components for the appliance and lighting industry, to work in the seventies for -General -Motors, Ford and Chrysler and for Tier 1 suppliers like Lear, Woodbridge and -Johnson -Controls. He also spoke of the different forms of the Company name, from Guelph Tool & Die in 1965 to Guelph Tool Inc. in 2001, to a shared vision in 2016
of a new brand for the Company – Guelph Manufacturing Group. The changing Company logos were also presented on the screens.
After the presentations, a door prize draw of 4 items (iPad Air, Sleeman Centre Suite, Downtown Dollars Package and a Bingeman’s gift basket) concluded the formal part of the event.
The evening ended with entertainment from Comedian – Peter Anthony, Dance Band: Stereo Flavour.
30 YEARS CAPTION: Front – L to R: Chankham Phonprasith,
Lyla Cartwright, Mei Li Hou, Catherine Boddy,
Denise Copeland, and Karen Woods.
Back – L to R: Brad Ireland, Rob Ireland,
and Angelo Dionissopoulos.
Missing: Phirasak Phonprasith
35 YEARS CAPTION: L to R: Brad Ireland, Sansay Phonprasith, Roseann Spies, Rob Ireland and Angelo Dionissopoulos.
Missing: Mike Huisman.