The journey continues! In this special 75th edition, Lloyd talks about the rising competition from Asia, to insights from his time at Lee Valley, to Tripar’s first patents – all in the 90s.
Continue readingTripar In the 80s: Embracing Recessed Lighting
Introduction
During the 80s, Tripar observed an increasing trend towards recessed lighting replacing demand for traditional decorative lighting components. To capitalize on this, Tripar developed its first line of standard recessed lighting parts. Like what we did for light fixture & lamp parts in the 60s and 70s, Tripar invested, developed and produced many tooling (dies) for the benefit of recessed lighting OEMs.
Sampling of recessed lighting parts from the 80s
Lloyd's personal path to engineering
In 1981, I graduated from Dawson College as a Mechanical Engineering Technologist. True to my plan, I applied to several university engineering programs, was offered placement in several, choosing the University of Western Ontario, located in London, Ontario.
I enjoyed living on my own for the first time, renting a house with three other students. Surprisingly, I did not enjoy most of my courses. Upon reflection, I think I had trouble going from the very practical technologist level program, to the very theoretical first year engineering program. I completed my first year, not quite successfully (having failed my course in Dynamics.) Very unsure what to do next, I decided it would not be to return to the University of Western Ontario, so I packed my belongings, returning to Montreal.
Though my plan was to get my university engineering degree, I was unsure at this point. So I enrolled for part-time studies in Concordia University in Montreal, to take the Dynamics course I had failed previously and to try working using my technologist status, but not at Tripar as my Dad always made it clear that I would not come to work here without having the benefit of working at least a few years in other companies to gain a broader experience base.
So during the summer of ’81, I quickly found work at Dominion Lock in Montreal as a Supervisor in their Key Blanking Department. At first, I enjoyed the challenges. But after a few months the lustre was lost for two reasons;
- The success (or failure) of my week was defined by the number of key blanks my department produced; over 1.5 million was a good week, anything less was not.
- I saw some opportunities for improvement and suggested some changes. To my surprise, the reply was always “Oh no, you can’t do that. That’s what the engineers do!”
Between these two, especially the latter which infuriated me (and having finally successfully completed the Dynamics course), I enrolled in Concordia University’s Mechanical Engineering Program in January ’82 with the attitude that I didn’t care if I learnt anything useful or not, but to obtain my engineering degree to open doors. Not a great attitude at the time, but it was what it was.
Upon entering Concordia’s mechanical engineering with a specialty in industrial engineering, I hit my stride, and was both enjoying the program and learning. I completed the program and earned my engineering degree in May ’85, “With Distinction”, having obtained a GPA of over 3.4.
Lloyd’s graduation, circa 1985. From left to right: Lloyd’s Mom Eve, his Dad and founder of Tripar Ben, his bride to be Cheryl, and Lloyd
Engineering certificate from Concordia University
Working as an engineer
With my short work experience at Dominion Lock being too meagre to come work at Tripar, I applied for work at many companies, both in Quebec as well as Ontario. My first offer was for “Champion Truck Bodies”, a Montreal based truck body manufacturer. I accepted this, but before starting, received what I thought was a better position and offer from the Ernst Leitz (optics manufacturer and maker of Leica brand cameras) in Midland, Ontario, a small town located approx. 2 hours north of Toronto. So, I accepted this, and to the dismay of Champion, I retracted my offer there.
Getting set to move to Midland with my new wife Cheryl, a week before I was to start work at Leitz, the phone rang. It was yet another company I applied to earlier, “Computing Devices Co” (CDC), a defense electronics contractor, offering me an interview. I explained my situation to the Director of Human Resources and the pending start at another company, saying that the interview would have to be scheduled quickly, as in, the next day! Obtaining this, with CDC being in Ottawa, an easy 2-hour drive from Montreal, and with nothing to lose, I went for the interview there.
The interview was for the position of Product Engineer, to be the technical liaison for one of CDC’s contract manufacturing operations, in this case between CDC and Hughes Aircraft. At the end of the interview, they said they would let me know. At that point I had little choice but to explain to the Director of Engineering my acceptance of another job offer, which was to begin the following Monday, so he would pretty well have to let me know right away if he was interested. He asked if I had another hour or so, which I did, so he told me to wait in an office and shut the door, leaving me alone. Less than an hour later he returned with a job offer!
So back I drove to Montreal to explain the latest to Cheryl. With Leitz being in Miland, a beautiful but very small town, should it not work out for any reason, there were not too many other industries in which to find alternative work. By contrast, with CDC being in Ottawa, a much larger city, we decided to accept CDC’s offer. And so I had to back out of my second acceptance (Leitz)! I accepted CDC’s offer, we quickly moved, and I began working there In Jan ’86.
Tripar in the 70s: Growth & Exporting Triumphs
Introduction
As continued sales growth resulted in the need for additional space, in 1972, Tripar had a third expansion of 12,000 square feet bringing its new total to 45,000 square feet.
The decade of exporting: United States & United Kingdom
The 70s was also the decade that Tripar begin exporting on two fronts; principally by securing distributors in both the US and the UK;
US: Tripar secured IW Industries as its distributor, located in Melville, New York. Murray Cohen at IW was responsible for adding much of Tripar’s light & lamp parts to its own catalogue.
IW Catalogue 50+ pages worth of Tripar parts
IW catalog showcasing Tripar lighting parts
Having IW as Tripar’s distributor allowed penetration into the US, with IW buying relatively large quantities of many of Tripar’s parts, stocking them in the US, for resale to smaller US light fixture & lamp OEMs. In fact, of IW’s 191 page catalogue, 57 were devoted to stampings; the overwhelming majority made by Tripar. In fact, IW used Tripar’s part numbers for these, but simply added a “4-“ prefix to designate Tripar as supplier #4.
UK: Tripar secured Duba, owned by Philip Frush as its UK distributor, following the same practices and purpose as IW’s. The only difference was shipping costs, which unlike affordable and frequent truck shipments to IW in New York, air shipments to the UK were prohibitive, so periodic consolidation of sufficient orders into a full container was the only, but workable solution.
During this decade, Tripar also ventured into developing two new products outside of lighting;
1. Steno Stand: This was a foldable and Adjustable stand for holding loose sheets upright at whatever angle the “typist” chose, to transcribe what was written on the sheets onto her typewriter (not to be sexist, but that’s how it was in the 70s!).
Steno Stand
Steno Stand used for Transcribing Notes
2. Ashtray: With smoking being way more prevalent and accepted than today, Tripar sold not only ashtray parts, but also developed its own. This was based on using one of its deep drawn balls (approx. 3” diameter), tipping the opening on its side, spot welding a base to prevent the ball from rolling, and adding a trap door with a small snout at the front. When the trap door was open it would rest level, leaving the small snout to rest the cigarette on, and the ashes to fall onto. When done, the trap door would be flipped up, allowing the ashes and butts to fall into the ball. These were of course available in gaudy bright colours that were in vogue in the 70s; orange, lime green, and purple to name a few. Back then, it was not uncommon to see press operators at Tripar smoking at their machines, with these ashtrays resting on the press table.
Tripar’s CFIB Membership
Unrelated to Tripar but most certainly an important moment for founder Ben during this time, was his discovery of the upstart Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) whom Tripar has been a member of for over 50 years now, and whose membership goes 1 additional year prior to its existence! How is this possible?
The way the story goes, my Dad was reading the newspaper in the bathtub, and was energized by an article on the business taxation polices of the Canadian government, written by someone by the name of John Bulloch. My Dad tracked John down and wrote him a letter, sympathizing with some of his views, asking if/how he could help. This led to John creating the CFIB, a non-profit federation to both help small business navigate government red tape, as well as lobby governments for policies that would help small businesses thrive, (and ultimately employ more people with their success, which would in turn help the government in terms of revenue generated from personal income taxes). So, Tripar is credited with having joined the CFIB one year before its creation! Ben was also on the CFIB’s Board of Directors for many years, and has remained a founding member, or rather since 1 year before its official founding.
Lloyd learning the family business
The late 70s is when I graduated from high school, 1978 to be exact. Being fortunate to know what I wanted to be when I “grew up” (besides an astronaut or race car driver), was a Mechanical Engineer. The usual path for this was to go to CEGEP (Quebec’s college program) in Pure & Applied Sciences for 2 years, which was the precursor to permit entry into many science & engineering university programs. Knowing before this that becoming a Mechanical Engineer was my ultimate aim, I decided to take a 3-year CEGEP program to first become a Mechanical Engineering Technologist. Though this would add an extra year to my studies, I felt having earlier and targeted mechanical engineering related courses would be of greater benefit in the end.
This of course allowed me to be more “useful” to Tripar. So part-time during my studies, as well as during the summer holidays, I began to work in the maintenance department. With the work there being much less repetitive, it was both more interesting, as well as giving me the opportunity to learn things such as welding & machining, and eventually to the toolroom, where I learned much about dies and toolmaking.
1979 was not only Tripar’s 30th anniversary but also the year of its fourth expansion, adding 22,500 square feet, and bringing its new footprint to 67,500 square feet.
Tripar in the 60s: A Rapid Expansion
This series continues with the second decade. Tripar quickly outgrew its first premises and then moved in the east end of Montreal, where their first owned plant was erected.
Continue readingTripar’s founding & the early years (1949-59)
This article features the experience of Tripar’s founder, Ben Sevack’s from England to Montreal during the pivotal years of 1923 to 1949. Additionally, we’ll shift more into the foundational period of Tripar, spanning from its establishment in 1949 to the first 10 years in business.
Continue readingCelebrating 75 Years of Excellence
Montreal, Quebec – Tripar is excited to announce its 75th anniversary as a global leading metal stamping and CNC fabrication supplier. Today marks a significant milestone in excellence, innovation, and unwavering commitment to our clients.
Founded in 1949, Tripar has been at the forefront of shaping the future of metal fabrication; with a rich history of delivering cutting-edge solutions to OEM clients across key industries. From humble beginnings, the company went from small stamping shop in Montreal to becoming the “gold standard” for the OEM lighting industry; earning its reputation for quality, reliability, and unmatched expertise.
Lloyd Sevack, the President of Tripar Inc., says: “As we celebrate our 75th anniversary, we reflect on this incredible journey that brought us here. It’s a real testament of the dedication of our teams, the trust of our clients and partners, and our unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation. For that, I am truly grateful.”
Innovation Unleashed: A 75-Year Milestone
Throughout its first 75 years, Tripar has remained consistent in pushing for continuous R&D, innovation, and adapting to technological changes required to compete in the metal stamping and CNC fabrication business. Our company’s state-of-the-art facilities enables us to offer custom-made solutions that meets and exceeds industry standards.
From aerospace to HVAC, renewable energies to warehouse racking, Tripar provides clients with superior and precision-engineered metal components and innovative solutions that form the backbone of millions of products worldwide.
Lloyd also remarks, “Our commitment to staying ahead of the curve has allowed us to thrive in this ever-changing industry. We are not just celebrating the first 75 years, but we are welcoming the next 75 years of innovation, growth, and continued success to come.”
Unveiling Tomorrow's Possibilities: Tripar Looks Ahead
Today as we celebrates this historic milestone, Tripar has very ambitious plans for the future. “The commitment to investing in the latest technologies, nurturing talent, and expanding our global footprint ensures that we will continue to be a trailblazer and leading force in metal stamping and CNC fabrication for decades to come”, said Lloyd Sevack.
About Tripar Inc.
Tripar is the largest manufacturer of OEM lighting products in North America. We also work with multiple industries: HVAC, warehouse racking, consumer goods, aerospace, renewable energy. We offer design and engineering services, rapid prototyping, metal stamping and CNC fabrication, and assembly services. For many OEM clients, we’re considered their “secret weapon” in scalable manufacturing. See why. Get in touch.