Piece By Piece: The GWG Story

For Teachers

For Collectors

For Researchers

• 1910: Established and organized under UGWA in 1911, Great Western Garment moved into this building on 97th Street in 1917.
• 1920: The first union to gain the 8 hour day/40 hour week by 1917, Local 120 UGWA influenced the development of provincial labour legislation in the 1920s.
• 1930: Great Western Garment developed Snobak Denim and Sanforized Shrunk fabric, and expanded its product lines to weather the Depression.
• 1940: Great Western Garment expanded its factory and increased production to supply uniforms during World War II.
• 1950: Great Western Garment moved to a new modern factory in December 1953 and expanded its product lines and distribution throughout Canada.
• 1960: Levi Strauss purchased a majority share of Great Western Garment in 1961; GWG purchased companies in Winnipeg and Brantford.
• 1970: In 1972, GWG introduced its most popular brand ever, Scrubbies pre-washed jeans and Levi's purchased the remaining shares in the company.
• 1980: Because of growing up with, and working for the Brantford plant, one of the Great Wayne Gretzky's (GWG) first endorsements as a rising star, was for GWG.
• 1990: Following its 75th anniversary, GWG introduced new marketing to capitalize on its long history.
• 2000: In March 2004 Levi's closed its remaining North American plants, including those in Brantford and Edmonton, which had employed large numbers of immigrant women.