They eventually created one of the largest shipping companies on the Great Lakes, Upper Lakes Shipping Company.
To supply grain to his elevator, Leitch invested in shipping, partnering with James E. The combined storage capacity was more than Canada’s other four processors combined. Įntering the oilseed business, by 1953, two Toronto plants, Toronto Elevators and Victory Soya had approximately 90% of Canadian Soya processing capability. Originally mainly a storage elevator, Toronto Elevators got into processing with the Masterfeeds animal feed manufacturing business, managed by Fred Presant.
Offices and laboratories also occupied the site. Six tracks next to the elevators were connected to the CN Fleet Street Yard. The first silo structure was built by Carter Construction Company, and was referred to as Playfair Elevators. With the help of businessman James Playfair he founded Toronto Elevators and in 1928 constructed a 2 million bushel capacity concrete grain elevator complex. Leitch realized when the canal opened, he would be able to ship grain directly to the Toronto waterfront at considerable efficiency. 2 Decline of Toronto Harbour and demise of the silosīefore construction of the fourth Welland Canal, prairie grain was shipped to lakeports such as Collingwood or Midland, transferred to rail car, and delivered to Toronto - a laborious process.