Inco has been part of the Canadian scene since the turn of the century, and its main product, nickel, has been a major contributor to 20th century progress. Nickel imparts strength, toughness and corrosion resistance when combined with other metals, whether in everyday stainless steels or exotic aerospace alloys.

The discovery of the Sudbury, Ontario orebody in 1883 launched the rapid development of the nickel industry. Inco and Canada became, and continue to be, the leading nickel producers in the non-communist world.

The company was formed under the name International Nickel in 1902 to work the Sudbury basin's copper-nickel ores, which were then smelted in New Jersey. International Nickel Company of Canada was incorporated as the operating company in Copper Cliff, Ontario in 1916, becoming the parent in 1928. In 1929 the corporation underwent a major expansion by absorbing Mond Nickel, a British company with important assets in Canada and the U.K. Inco's worldwide operations are now directed from headquarters in Toronto. Long known by the acronym "Inco", the corporation's name was officially changed to Inco Limited in 1976.

Inco has grown from a nickel and copper producer to a supplier of many elements. These include gold, silver, the platinum-group metals, cobalt and sulphur products, all by-products of the company's rich Canadian ores. The Sudbury basin continues to host Inco's principal primary metals mining and processing operations. The company opened another large integrated nickel complex at Thompson, Manitoba in 1961 and a nickel mine and smelter in Indonesia in 1978.
 
 
 

1. Miners relied on pick and shovel at Copper Cliff, Ontario in the 1880's. 2. Computers assist Inco research miners in the 1980's.

In the 1920's, the company diversified downstream to become the world's leading manufacturer of high-nickel alloys, with rolling mills in the U.S. and the U.K. Inco, scientists have invented hundreds of alloys. In the 1970's, there was further downstream diversification with the acquisition of forged and machined metal products manufacturing plants in the U.K. The company also has other interests in metals, with gold mining becoming increasingly important.

Although Canada is where it all began and where vast nickel deposits still anchor the company's fortunes, little of Inco's revenue is derived in its home country because of the relatively small domestic market. Nevertheless, the benefit to the nation of Inco's presence is enormous. Inco's domestic output accounts for some 10 per cent of the total value of Canada's non-fuel mineral production. Since almost all of it is sold abroad, Inco's contribution to Canada's balance of international payments is significant. With over 10,000 employees in Canada, mainly in Sudbury and Thompson, the company has a major impact on regional economies through payroll, pension and tax dollars. Worldwide Inco employs some 19,000 people.