MADE IN HAMILTON
20TH CENTURY
INDUSTRIAL TRAIL

SITE 21
HOOVER SUCTION SWEEPER COMPANY OF
CANADA, 1919
STADIUM MALL

This mall's brick front was once part of Hoover's Hamilton plant. The Hoover Suction Sweeper Company of North Canton, Ohio built a factory on this site in 1919. It replaced a much smaller plant the company had operated in Windsor since 1911. Workers at this new plant produced W.H. Hoover's famous "Suction Sweeper", or vacuum cleaner. Hoover wanted a share of the new domestic appliance market, created in part by the use of electricity in the home.

As time went on, other products were produced here, including floor washers, washing machines, steam and dry irons and other electric housekeeping aids. During the Second World War, the workers at this plant adapted to the production of electric component equipment. Workers here were members of the United Electrical Workers, one of the first unions to organize industrial workers in the city. This plant was closed soon after the company opened a new Burlington facility in 1966.

Norman Garvin worked here as a gear-cutter in the late 1950s. It took him 2 minutes and 37 seconds to cut a worm gear. At this rate he could turn out enough gears for 175 floor polishers each day.

Workers at this plant were organized as United Electrical Workers of America Local 520, now part of the Canadian Auto Workers.