A stormy Atlantic passage and long train ride from Quebec City to Ajax, Ontario, did not deter Austrian émigrés Frank and Helen Treml from finding work within 24 hours of their arrival in Canada. Only six years later, in 1957, Frank Treml incorporated Treco Engineering with Helen as his first employee. That modest enterprise, housed in a 15 by 15 foot windowless room in Scarborough, Ontario, was the origin of the enterprise that, in 1990, would be the first Canadian-owned company to earn the prestigious IBM Corporate Supplier Quality Award.

Precision engineering was much in demand in the late fifties, and all Treco engineering work was exclusively manufactured for developing the internationally acclaimed Avro Arrow. When that project was cancelled in 1959, Treco was already well on its way with a work force of 15 men including, by that time, Frank’s younger brother, Lou.

In 1958 the company, now incorporated as Treco Machine & Tool Limited, diversified to produce high-precision custom machining for the computer, nuclear and communication industries. Early dedication to detail and quality secured IBM as Treco’s large-scale customer for two busy decades.

By 1962 the company had moved into its own building of 10,000 square feet at the present site on Crockford Blvd. in Scarborough. Three years later Treco had expanded to include facilities next door and employed 100 people.

During these years Treco developed a reputation for assisting customers with its highly skilled engineering teams. Nearly all engineers have come up through the ranks, having been trained by and having gained experience through the company. On-the-job training and classroom instruction have benefitted an outstanding workforce coming from all corners of the world. Today Treco employs 120 people in 40,000 square feet of plant space.

By the ’80s, management decided to pursue more aggressively the aerospace/ defence industry; thus a transition was made from mostly conventional to CNC machines. The plant reflects great utilization of high tech CAD/CAM and computer use assisting 150 work stations. Many of these are fully computer- controlled machines. Three engineering teams provide design and custom-machining services for the computer, aerospace and commercial tooling industry. One-third of the products manufactured are exported to the U.S.A. and Europe.
 

Treco, a leading manufacturer of high-precision components and assemblies, is located in Scarborough, Ontario.

Frank Treml believes quality begins with his 120 employees. In 1984 Profit Sharing was introduced, and today, 25% of all operational earnings are shared with employees. These earnings, in turn, purchase common stock so that, at the present, approximately 40% of the outstanding shares are held by employees. Treml’s plan for employees to own the company when he retires is now close to reality.

While Treco Machine & Tool Limited has changed dramatically over the years, the elements of success remain the same: a motivating employment environment, pride of workmanship and total dedication to optimum precision standards.