Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Collection |
Waterloo Region Museum |
Object ID |
2013.051.001.039 |
Object Name |
Catalog, Trade |
Title |
Splashguards by Kaufman |
Description |
The catalogue is printed on coated paper. The background is white with black and blue lettering and graphics. On the front cover is an image of the back of a tractor trailer with "Kaufman/Kitchener/Ontario" and "1990" printed on it. The Kaufman logo is on both the splashguards on the truck. The title is printed above the image with the Kaufman logo and the date printed on the right side. Printed below the image is "Nothing Better For/Road & Weather". A list of Kaufman brands is printed on the back cover. The interior pages contain images of and information on the splashguard products. There are two inserts in the catalogue. One looks the same as the catalogue pages but is advertising moulded splashguards for Home Hardware. The other is a memo on Kaufman Footwear letterhead indicating a new price structure. It is signed by "Harold Lauber", Senior Scheduler, Mechanical Products Manager. The catalogue has five holes punched along the left side. The pages are stapled together in the centre. |
Date |
1990 |
History |
The Kaufman Rubber Company was founded in 1907 by Jacob Kaufman (1847-1920) in Berlin, ON. The factory began production in 1908 and produced rubber footwear for domestic and foreign markets. In 1920, Jacob's son, Alvin Ratz Kaufman (1885-1979) became president of the company until 1964, when he retired to become Chairman of the Board. During this time the company's product line expanded to include industrial rubber clothing for fishermen, miners, and policemen. Beginning in 1953, the company also began to manufacture non-rubber footwear, including Foamtread slippers. The company introduced the Sorel line of winter/work boots in 1959. In 1964, Alvin's son, William H. Kaufman (1920-2005) became president and the company's name was changed to Kaufman Footwear Limited, and then to Kaufman Footwear Inc. In 1979, Kaufman Footwear became a division of William H. Kaufman Inc., with William remaining as president until 1986. In 1986, Irvin Weber became president of the footwear division, followed by John Loucks in 1991. In 1997, William's son, Tom Kaufman, became president of the footwear division. In 2000 Kaufman Footwear declared bankruptcy. The Kaufman Footwear building was designated in 1996 by the Kitchener LACAC as architecturally and historically significant. The building was originally designed by Albert Kahn, and is located on the corner of Victoria Street and King Street West. In 2005, Andrin Homes began converting the building into condominium loft residences - 270 units in total. |
Search Terms |
Kaufman Footwear William H. Kaufman Inc. |
People |
Lauber, Harold |