In 1949, founder and current chairman David Kerr Wilson went to his mother and asked for a $1,000 loan to fix up an old milk truck to sell and service HVAC equipment out of. From humble beginnings in Truro, Nova Scotia, Kerr has now grown to be a leading wholesale distributor of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) materials for residential and commercial markets. With 9 locations across Atlantic Canada, and 3 in Ontario the company sure had a lot to celebrate when hitting this major milestone of 70 years. Kerr Controls leads a lot of its business practices on the importance of building relationships, so what better way to celebrate than with a 70th anniversary tour!
On May 31st the tour began in Truro, NS where we had former Kerr alumni, members of the community, city council, customers and vendors in attendance. It was remarkable seeing all these faces in one room who all contributed in making Mr. Wilson’s vision become a reality. We continued on tour throughout the month of June making stops in Dartmouth, Halifax, Charlottetown, Moncton, Fredericton, Sydney, Corner Brook and St. John’s. The majority of our company’s history is based in Atlantic Canada therefore it was great to tour around to each location to admire and experience what the Kerr brand meant to those in attendance at each of the events. Once we finished the Atlantic Canada portion of the tour in St. John’s. NL on June 21st, members from our head office set out to Ontario to finish of the tour the week of June 24th. With stops in Sudbury, Owen Sound, and London, it was great to see how much the Kerr brand is growing and adding value to the customers in these regions.
The tour was personal and represented the importance of family and strength in teamwork. That is what we are at Kerr, one big family that was founded by a hard working family with a dream. We look forward to celebrating many more millstones, and perhaps we will see you on tour in the future!
Co-Chairs Leslie and Steven Wilson are seen here with their Father, Owner and Executive Chair David Kerr Wilson at the tour kick-off launch celebration in Truro, NS on May 31st.
