Our History
Whitelaw Machinery Co Ltd is the oldest continuously running business in Oxford County, Ontario, with a rich history dating back to its founding as The Oxford Machine and Foundry in 1856 by Scottish immigrant Robert Whitelaw. Whitelaw Machinery is ISO 9000 certified and provides various services and products, including custom machine work, welding & fabricating, agriculture & industrial supplies, and repairs. Whitelaw Machinery grew from steam engines and agricultural equipment to become a long-standing fixture, passing through family hands before being sold in 1944 to employee S.J. Harrison, leading to the creation of Whitelaw Automotive & Industrial Supply in 1958 and evolving into the current Whitelaw Group (Machinery, Trucking, Automotive) in Woodstock, maintaining its legacy in industrial supply.
Timeline
1856
1874
1874-1920s
1944
1958
1975-1977
Scottish immigrant Robert Whitelaw founds the company as The Oxford Machine and Foundry, R. Whitelaw, west of Woodstock, producing steam engines, agricultural equipment, and machinery.
The company moves into Woodstock proper and expands its product line to include separators, turbines, sawing machines, and cheese-making equipment.
The name shifts to Whitelaw Co., and later Whitelaw Machinery Co., with Robert Whitelaw leading until his death in 1920, when his son Oscar took over.
After being managed by Joseph Schaeffer, the company is sold to long-time employee Sidney J. Harrison, whose wife becomes President.
The Whitelaw Automotive & Industrial Supply Co. Ltd. is established, expanding the business.
The firm is known as Whitelaw Machinery Co. Ltd. and remains active in Woodstock and the company moves to its current location at 572 Main Street.