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PARIS PAST
The success of WABCO's operations in Paris was not confined to the Canadian market alone. The company's off-highway truck business began penetrating markets worldwide, with trucks being exported to countries like Spain, Venezuela, the United States, South Africa, Belgium, New Zealand, and Australia. WABCO's trucks also found their way to various provinces in Canada, including British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Quebec.
The growth and expansion of WABCO in Paris would not have been possible without the support of the local community and the Canadian government Through an order-in-council by the federal government, WABCO was granted the privilege to import certain major components from the United States duty-free. This included diesel engines and transmissions, crucial components that were not manufactured in Canada. However, WABCO had to meet specific conditions, such as Canadian value added, and the percentage of vehicles assembled at the Paris plant in relation to the total number of trucks sold in the Canadian market.
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For decades, WABCO's operations in Paris fueled economic growth and provided employment opportunities for many individuals in the region. The company, a division of WABCO-Standard Limited, employed 150 workers and continued to add more to meet the growing production demands.
After a fruitful journey in Paris spanning almost six decades, WABCO bid farewell to the town in 1987 as it relocated its operations to Cambridge, Ontario. Although the physical presence of WABCO in Paris is no longer
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there, the legacy of manufacturing excellence and the impact it left on the community and the construction industry still resonates.
As we reflect on the history of WABCO in Paris, Ontario, we recognize the profound contributions the company made to the local economy and the broader industry.
The tale of WABCO's journey in Paris is a testament to the vision, innovation, and dedication that defined the company's success, shaping both the company's history and the history of the town itself. The presence of J.D Adams Ltd. in Paris, Ontario through to 1970 further adds to the rich industrial heritage of the region. Together, the legacies of J.D. Adams and WABCO in Paris stand as a testament to the town's history as a hub of manufacturing excellence.
