History

George Sheard immigrates to Canada to run an Anglo-Canadian Joint Venture in St. Georges de Beauce Quebec.

George purchases a small textile factory in Ways Mills, and founds Geo. Sheard & Co Ltd. where he begins to produce wool blend fabrics for winter overcoats.

At the outset of World War II, the production capacity of Geo. Sheard & Co. Ltd. is requisitioned for the war effort, and the company starts to make fabrics for army blankets and greatcoat material for soldiers, sailors, and airmen.

The company moves to Coaticook. Warping and weaving take place in a new facility in Coaticook and the dyeing and finishing continue in Ways mills.

A new dyehouse is built in Coaticook and the dyeing and finishing departments are moved from Way'Mills to Coaticook in order to consolidate all the operations into one location.

George Sheard's son Douglas Sheard, takes over as president.

Geo. Sheard Fabrics changes its marketing focus and starts to produce upholstery fabrics for the nascent contract furniture market.

Two of Douglas Sheard's children join the company in the late 1980's, and in 1994 Iskender Sheard and Perihan Sheard take over respectively as president and vice-president of the company.

George Sheard Fabrics obtains its 1SO 9001 certification.

The company embarks upon a capital investment program which over a period of 10 years leads to the modernisation of all the equipment in the plant.

Replacement of all old weaving equipment with high speed dobby and jacquard air-jet looms.

Installation of new high-pressure dyeing and finishing equipment.

Geo. Sheard Fabrics celebrates 80 years of existence and 3 generations of entrepreneurs.