Our History
D&R was established on May 1, 1971, by John DeWit (D) and Yke Reitsma (R). John DeWit and Yke Reitsma were immigrants from the Netherlands and gained valuable experience working for steel fabricators in Canada before setting up D&R on Woodbine Avenue in Markham, Ontario.
On May 21, 1971, Less than three weeks after opening, a fire destroyed nearly all of D&R’s original facility.
From May to September 1971, D&R operated out of temporary rented space on Sheppard Avenue.
D&R relocated to a larger Woodbine Avenue facility better suited to its operations, remaining there for the next 12 years.
Harry Oldenhof joined D&R to become Yke’s new partner as John DeWit retires.
D&R moves from the original location on Woodbine Avenue in Markham to a brand new, purpose built facility at its present location in Pickering, Ontario.
D&R expands with the addition of an 8,000 sq ft south bay – increasing overall production space to 24,000 sq ft.
