02/19/2003 – TILLSONBURG, Ontario, Canada

The Town of Tillsonburg Honours its Oldest Industry

For its long-standing contribution to the community, TDS automotive has been honoured by the Tillsonburg Chamber of Commerce with their Award of Excellence.

At a formal banquet yesterday evening Rob Vanderlaan, Vice President Canadian Operations, accepted the award on behalf of TDS, which first established operations in Tillsonburg in 1943, when the company was part of Livingston Industries.

In reciprocation for the Award of Excellence, and to extend TDS automotive’s appreciation to the town, Vanderlaan in-turn presented Mayor, Irv Horton with a plaque from TDS. Engraved on the plaque was a letter written to the Chamber of Commerce in April 1943, by company founder G.V. Livingston. Livingston wrote,

“In view of the splendid cooperation we received from the Chamber of Commerce, who were instrumental in introducing the Huntley facility to us as a site for another plant, and also for the co-operation we received from the Town Council, we would like to put ourselves on record as showing our appreciation. It is hoped our move to Tillsonburg will prove of benefit to the town. Knowing full well the willingness to assist from everyone we have come in contact with, we feel sure we will all be very happy. Thanking you for your assistance and co-operation.”

Below this on the plaque appeared a segment from Vanderlaan’s acceptance speech.

“TDS acknowledges the years of assistance and co-operation we have received from the Chamber of Commerce and the Town Council. We hope TDS continues to provide benefit to the town through our local contributions and our unofficial role as Tillsonburg ambassadors around the world. After 60 successful years in Tillsonburg, we again put ourselves on record as showing our appreciation.”

TDS has come a long way since first planting its roots in Tillsonburg, Ontario. Today TDS automotive, with headquarters in London, Ontario, has 38 locations in 10 countries providing a full range of complex, integrated and value-added logistics services to the global automotive industry.