Aloyes Bauer
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Introduction
Aloyes Bauer was the founder of Bauer Industries, which has grown to become the largest manufacturer of its kind in Canada[1], supplying automakers with products that capture heat and lessen sound in cars. Today, it is being run by the fourth generation of Bauers with offices in Waterloo[[2]], Detroit, Michigan and Hildebran, North Carolina. Son of Karl and Sofia Bauer, Aloyes’ roots stretch back to Bavaria . In 1855 his parents immigrated to Waterloo by way of Buffalo . Aloyes Bauer was born in Waterloo in 1861 and would go onto become a legendary figure in Waterloo’s early business history. At the age of fourteen, young Aloyes Bauer began his road to success by working in his father’s carpentry shop . As an apprentice in his father’s carpentry shop, he worked hard, learnt fast and was willing to focus on the details, gaining valuable experience that he would appreciate later in his life. Before opening A. Bauer & Company in 1888, Aloyes ran a successful construction company building several houses and buildings in Waterloo during the 1880-1890s . Aloyes worked tirelessly, building his own home debt free by the time he married Magdalena Kuntz in 1885 .
A. Bauer & Company – Bauer Limited
The road to becoming a supplier to the future largest automobile manufacturers in the world, started with A. Bauer & Company. Named after its ambitious founder, Aloyes Bauer, the company was a reflection of his drive for success. Established in 1888 , the firm originally manufactured cotton felts and batts for mattresses, furniture and horse and buggy cushions . A. Bauer & Company’s factory was located on a 2.5 Acre lot, at the corner of King and Allen St, purchased from Aloyes’ wife Magdalena Kuntz’s family . In its humble beginnings, the factory employed 22 workers. For its time, the plant was concerned a very modern building, boasting 50,000 square ft of production floor and another 25,000 square ft in the warehouse . From its very inception, the factory was constantly operating at or near capacity to satisfy the flood of orders coming in for its special cotton felt and bats used in upholstery, buggies and mattresses . Aloyes’ keen business sense allowed him to capitalize on a significant gap in the market. A. Bauer & Company became the first Canadian company to supply tufts for the mattress industry . In the span of only 9 year, Aloyes had built a thriving company that was soon to enter a new epoch. In 1907, one of A. Bauer’s’ original customers, McLaughlin Carriage Works of Oshawa, Ontario became McLaughlin Motor Car Company, and ushered in the age of the automobile for the Waterloo company . McLaughlin flourished as the automobile gained popularity throughout the early 1900s With Aloyes at the helm, A. Bauer & Company set on a course to capitalize on the emerging auto industry and began manufacturing seat cushions and padding for McLaughlin . In 1917, A. Bauer & Company was reorganized to deal with the increase in orders . By this point the company boasted coast to coast distribution in Canada, as well as a significant export trade . The company incorporated and became Bauer Limited . It is at that time that Aloyes’ son Edgar, who had been working at the factory since he was 14, took over as General Manager and Secretary Treasurer With McLaughlin’s sale to General Motors in 1918 , Bauer Limited ensured continuous growth. By continually investing in the newest machines, materials and processes, Bauer went on to secure contracts with Ford, Chrysler and Jeep in addition to its GM contracts .
Aloyes Bauer and Kuntz Brewery
While successfully being a supplier to the major car makers, Aloyes Bauer also managed to operate Kuntz Brewery . When Aloyes’ wife’s brother Louis died suddenly in 1891, Aloyes was asked to manage Kuntz Brewery Ltd . He was the president of Kuntz Brewery from 1891 to 1910 . During that period, Kuntz Brewery had experienced rapid growth and expansion . Over the years the company established a number of brewers including the Lion Brewery in Carlsruhe, the Dominion Brewery in Hamilton, the Capital in Ottawa and Schwan’s in Owen Sound. In April of 1910, the Brewery was incorporated as a Limited company with all shares held by the Kuntz families . This would also be the last Aloyes’ last year at the helm, as David Kuntz Jr. was named president, while his younger brothers, William and Pat, were made vice presidents .
Other Business Dealings
Aloyes' drive to contribute to the community was only paralleled by his industrious nature. Apart from his role as a public servant, Aloyes held a number of other positions in the business world in addition to his work at Bauer and Kuntz. Throughout his career, Aloyes was vice-president of the Globe Furniture Company and on the boards of directors for a number of insurance companies . In 1896, Aloyes invested in what is now called The Queens Tavern, considered a landmark in the town of Ayr, later selling it to Kuntz Brewery Ltd .
Community Involvement
Apart from building his own company into a multi-national player in the auto supply industry, Aloyes Bauer gave back to the community. He served as a councilor for the city of Waterloo between 1896 and 1899 . During this time Aloyes was heavily involved in the planning for what would become one of Waterloo's future Heritage Sites, the pumphouse built in 1899 after the city assumed ownership of public utilities . As chairman of the Waterloo Water and Light Commission, Aloyes oversaw a pivotal moment in Waterloo's history; the introduction of electricity to the city . An undeniable pattern was forming, and it was visible in every realm of Aloyes Bauer's life. As a Catholic, Aloyes belonged to the St. Louis Roman Catholic Church . In this realm he contributed to the education system, serving on the Separate School Board for thirty years .
Bauer Limited 1920 - Present
In 1920, the increase in the demand for cars across Canada and the U.S.A. saw the company experience significant growth, necessitating heavy capital investment . The company acquired state of he art machines to facilitate the rapidly growing auto industry and furniture trade, which the company was also involved in . This trend continued, and 119 years later, what is now called Bauer Industries operates out of a Dutton Drive Facility . The company has grown o be the largest manufacturer of its kind in Canada, now producing products that capture heat and lessen sound in cars . Despite reorganizations, recessions, family differences and a major depression, the firm continues to be family operated, currently being run by the fourth generation of Bauer’s with offices in Waterloo, Detroit, Michigan and Hildebran, North Carolina . Bauer’s original factory at King and Allen was closed in 2001 and is currently being redeveloped to make way for retail stores, office space and apartments .
Path to Success
1861: Born
1875: Worked in his father’s carpentry shop.
1885: Worked tirelessly to build his own home when he married Magdalena.
1888: Established A. Bauer & Company to manufactured cotton felts and batts for mattresses, furniture, and horse and buggy cushions.
1907: Began making car seat padding for motor car companies.
1891 – 1910: Became president of Kuntz Brewery Ltd.
1896: Bought the Queen’s Tavern in Ayr
1896 – 1899: Aloyes served on Waterloo City Council
1917: Incorporated and became Bauer Limited, son Edgar Bauer became General Manager
