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COMPANY HISTORY 1920 TO 2009 Today, a third generation of Menzies is running the business. The man at the helm – the founder’s grandson and namesake, Allan Menzies shares the history. |
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1920 |
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A. R. Menzies & Sons Ltd. was started by Allan R. Menzies after suffering a lumbering accident in which his leg was amputated. This was in the days before antibiotics. The wound became infected and gangrene set in and he was sent to Boston by rail. He was amputated at the hip, and was subsequently fit with and artificial leg. This provided the catalyst for him to learn the art of Prosthetics and start his private practice in Fredericton. The business was initially located where the present Police Station is on Queen Street. The following year the business moved to Rookwood Avenue and Woodstock Road where it continues to operate today. The operation was very different in those years – patients would often come and stay at the house, while their leg was being fit. The garage adjacent to the house is where the artificial limbs were manufactured. The garage was also where the family cow was kept. |
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1930s |
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During the depression years, it wasn’t uncommon to accept payment in barrels of potatoes, apples, or peaches. Even a shotgun was bartered for a limb! Prostheses were made with materials such as willow wood and leather and took many man-hours to fabricate. |
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1940s |
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Allan R. Menzies passed away and two of his sons – Norris and Laurie took over the business. Laurie studied prosthetics and orthotics in Chicago but says he learned more from his father than anything he learned in school. |
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1950s |
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This was an exciting decade with a 9,000 square foot building being built adjacent to the homestead and garage. Norris’s wife Wilma joins the team and remains with the company until the mid 80’s. |
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1960s |
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Research and steady progress were accelerated by the requirement demanded by the younger generation, created mostly by veterans of the Vietnam War. Laurie’s wife Miriam joins the team as their registered nurse. |
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1970s |
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After Norris’ accidental death, Laurie took over the business and in 1971 his son Allan joined the company. Terry Fox was a highlight of this time as Menzies was fortunate to have worked with Terry for over 30 hours during his run. New materials such as carbon fiber, titanium, graphite composites, and thermoplastics were introduced also during this time. |
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1980s |
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Laurie turned the reins over to his son, Allan. Allan's wife Debi joined the team as office manager. The services and departments increased during this time including... Home Health Care & Wheelchair Sales & Service, Mastectomy Supplies, Ostomy Supplies, Pedorthics, Orthotics, and of course Prosthetics. |
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1990s |
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After more than five decades, Laurie retired in 1995, however today still reports into work daily and shares an office with his son Allan. Allan’s wife Debi passed away of cancer in 1998. In 1996 Menzies were proud recipients of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award. |
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TODAY |
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The last decade has seen tremendous growth with a staff of eighteen. The manufactured components have changed through the years – however the results of the Prosthetist’s or Orthostist’s careful analysis of the patient’s situation, accurate measurement and fitting, and painstaking craftsmanship has not changed. After 88 years, our values remain the same and family involvement has always been a vital part of the company’s success says Allan Menzies. The 4th generation has joined the team in the Home Health Care Department – Heather (daughter of Allan). There are still patients who have been coming to Menzies since 1934! Patients come to Menzies from all over the Maritimes, and even as far as Venezuela, Pakistan, Barbados, Greece, and Eastern U.S. The company’s endurance has assured it a place in Canadian business history books. A.R. Menzies is the oldest family owned, privately run prosthetic company in the country! |
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