The Rise and Fall Of A Local Industry

1857    

The Seagram distillery in Waterloo began as the Granite Mills and Waterloo Distillery, established by William Hespeler, a merchant from Berlin (Kitchener), and George Randall, a contractor for the Grand Trunk Railway.

1863    

William Roos, Randall's brother-in-law, joined the partnership, having been previously employed by the firm as a clerk.

1864    

The distillery expanded to a capacity of 50,000 gallons of proof spirit per year. Joseph Emm Seagram was asked by Hespeler to look after his interests in the business while he went travelling abroad. Shortly after returning, Hespeler decided to sell his share of the business to the young Seagram.

1869    

The firm of Hespeler, Randall and Roos was dissolved and a new partnership with Seagram was formed under the name of George Randall and Company.

1875    

Exports of the Waterloo Distillery's products were reaching Great Britain and the United States.

1878    

The partnership of Seagram, Randall and Roos was dissolved and a new partnership between Seagram and Roos was formed under the same name of George Randall and Company.

1881    

The name of the company changed to Seagram & Roos.

1883    

Seagram obtained sole ownership of the company, registering his new business as The Joseph Seagram Flour Mill and Distillery Company, but operating under the name Waterloo Distillery. Seagram began to concentrate on the distilling and exporting aspect of his business, gaining an international reputation for producing quality whiskies.

1911    

Seagram incorporated his company under the name Joseph E. Seagram and Sons, Limited. At that time, Seagram's Sons, Edward and Thomas began to take a more active role in the company.

1919    

Death of Joseph Emm Seagram. Seagram's sons assume leadership of the company.

1928    

The Bronfman brothers, led by Samuel and Harry, purchased the Seagram distillery in Waterloo and amalgamated it with their company, Distillers Corporation Limited. Under the Bronfman's leadership, Distillers Corporation - Seagrams Limited became the world's largest producer of spirits.

1934    

With the repeal of American Prohibition, Seagram's quality Canadian whiskies took the American market by storm.

1940s   

Operations at the Waterloo plant were converted for the production of industrial alcohol for the war effort.

1957    

During the company's 100th anniversary, production at the Waterloo plant expanded with construction of a centennial wing. The expansion project continued throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

1971    

Death of Samuel Bronfman. The operations of the Seagram Company were placed under the leadership of his two sons, Charles and Edgar Sr.

1982    

This year ushered in a period of rapid decline for the distilling industry in Canada. Throughout the 1980s, dramatic reductions in spirits sales led to the closure of distilleries across the country.

1990    

The official announcement was made that the original Seagram plant in Waterloo would be closing its doors. Government taxation, declining sales and limited expansion options contributed to the company's decision to cease operations of the Waterloo distillery.

1992    

The Seagram distillery in Waterloo closed representing the end of a rich industrial era.