ABOUT

 

 

Bennett Precision Engineering Ltd. (BPE) began its journey as Roto-Weld in 1974, founded by Robert "Bob" Bennett. Born in Scotland, Bennett served his apprenticeship at Singer Sewing Machine in Clydebank. In 1957, an opportunity arose that led him to immigrate to Canada and work on the groundbreaking CF-105 Avro Arrow. While his stint at Avro was short-lived due to the project's shutdown, the experience ignited a passion for innovation and manufacturing.

Bob Bennett's Roto-Weld started as a company focused on nuclear projects for Atomic Energy of Canada and Ontario Hydro. Many of the manufactured parts were instrumental in the installation of Candu reactors in Canada, Argentina, South Korea, and Romania. The early years saw Roto-Weld concentrate on nuclear industry needs while gradually adding R&D work, fixtures, and fabrication to its repertoire. Their client base grew to include Xerox, Delphax, Visible Genetics, and Spar, to name a few.

In 1989, Bob Bennett decided to retire, marking a new chapter for the company. The name was changed to Bennett Precision Engineering Ltd. (BPE), and the leadership reins were handed over to his daughter, Linda Bennett Smith. With this transition, Linda emerged as one of the few successful women entrepreneurs in the male-dominated manufacturing sector.

Under Linda's guidance, BPE thrived and continued to diversify its capabilities, serving a broad array of sectors including aerospace, nuclear, defence, automotive, and telecommunications. She faced the challenges of a shifting global manufacturing landscape head-on, navigating the business successfully through the 1990s when many manufacturers moved to low-cost countries like China.

In 2017, a significant change occurred when John Gagliardi and the JRoberts Group acquired BPE. John's leadership has carried forward BPE's legacy of innovation, precision, and customer satisfaction while expanding the business in new directions. Today, BPE's capabilities are more comprehensive than ever, ranging from metal and plastic machining to harness and connector manufacturing, from welding and fabrication to defence vehicle armouring.

BPE's journey, from its inception to the present day, is a testament to the spirit of innovation and resilience that began with Bob Bennett and continues under John Gagliardi's leadership. Our rich history serves as the foundation for our future, as we strive to uphold our legacy while remaining at the forefront of precision engineering and manufacturing.

 

Bennett Precision Engineering Ltd. (BPE) - Timeline

• 1957: Robert "Bob" Bennett emigrates from Scotland to Canada to work on the CF-105 Avro Arrow project.

• 1974: Bob Bennett founded "Roto-Weld," focusing primarily on nuclear projects for Atomic Energy of Canada and Ontario Hydro. The company provides critical components for Candu reactor installations in several countries.

• 1980s: Roto-Weld expands its customer base, adding R&D work, fixtures, and fabricating to its specialties. The company starts serving prominent customers like Xerox, Delphax, Visible Genetics, and Spar.

• 1989: The company name changes to Bennett Precision Engineering Ltd. (BPE) as Bob Bennett retires, and leadership is handed over to Linda Bennett Smith.

• 1990s: BPE navigates the challenges of a changing global manufacturing landscape under Linda Bennett Smith's leadership. The company starts offering more diverse services and expands its client base.

• 2017: John Gagliardi and the JRoberts Group acquire BPE. The company continues its legacy of innovation and precision, while expanding its services and capabilities even further.

• Present: BPE, under the leadership of John Gagliardi, offers a comprehensive suite of services that includes metal and plastic machining, harness and connector manufacturing, welding and fabrication, defence vehicle armouring, and more. BPE serves a variety of sectors, including aerospace, nuclear, defence, automotive, and telecommunications, and continues to push the boundaries of precision engineering and manufacturing.