HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-07-08, Page 21Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, July 8, 2009 - Page A21
combinations, tailoring the grader to the
customers' needs and wants. The 700 Series
went into full production in 1976 and the
100T, the world's largest grader was
unveiled.
In 1978 the company built a manufactur-
ing facility in Columbia, South Carolina to
feed Champions fastest growing market.
In 1973 the company created Gearco and
designed and manufactured its own trans-
missions. A few years later, a new modem
warehousing facility was built in the town's
industrial park to handle worldwide distribu-
tion of parts.
The company was expanding and growing
quickly and employed 1,000 people.
Champion enjoyed many successes in the
industry and was an innovative leader in the
grader business.
The first electronically controlled grader
transmission was introduced in 1984 and in
1999 the• company introduced All -Wheel
Drive; Front Wheel only drive and dual
crossover brake circuits.
The industry's most powerful all -wheel
drive grader was introduced in 2002 and the
first road grader with Tier 3 emissions com-
pliance came out in 2006, the same year the
first 11 -speed transmission was unveiled.
As the manufacturing line came to a close
at the end of June 2009, employees were
busy completing the first two -person train-
ing cab, a feature that will be a design ele-
ment in graders for years to come.
From its humble beginnings in Kennet
Square, the company evolved into a world-
renowned manufacturer of the finest road
graders in the world.
Through the name changes from Dominion
Road Machinery Company to Champion to
Volvo, the quality of the product was always
first rate. It was the best grader in the world.
The company was an international player,
building graders from small town Ontario
and marketing them to the world.
It was a Champion of a story.
Goderich was known as grader town and
generations of families worked side-by-side
and built machines of world renown.
The loss of Volvo closes a chapter in the
town's history a history that leaves a rich
legacy of excellence and commitment.
We will always be remembered as
Champions.
Stories, photos and page illustration by
Dave Sykes and Dominique Milburn