At Sarjeants, we have a long-standing history of delivering reliable home heating and energy solutions to customers in Ontario. Our journey began in 1889, delivering construction materials, firewood and ice as far as Rochester, New York, by Horse and buggy. Over the years, we have earned the trust of our customers through our unwavering commitment to excellence. Our first transition was from firewood to coal and then to blue coal. In 1952, we made a strategic decision to transition into the oil industry, and in 1975, we expanded our presence in the North, reaching from Timmins to Fort Frances.
In 2014, we embraced propane as one of our core offerings, solidifying our dedication to innovative solutions for our customer’s energy needs. Our focus on cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices has allowed us to stay ahead of the curve and provide efficient and environmentally friendly propane solutions.
In 2023, we reached a significant milestone by acquiring the northern Ontario territory from Superior Propane. This expansion, stretching from Fort Frances to New Liskeard, has opened up new avenues to serve our regional customers. Operating under Sarjeant Propane, we are thrilled to bring our exceptional products and services to even more households and businesses.
At Sarjeant Propane, we understand the importance of putting our customers first. We strive to exceed their expectations by providing personalized service and tailored solutions. Our dedicated team of experienced professionals remains committed to maintaining the high level of service our customers have come to expect from us.
As we continue our journey, we remain focused on continuous improvement and innovation. We invest in state-of-the-art equipment and technology to ensure efficient propane delivery. Our wide range of top-quality products, including tanks, appliances, and accessories, are designed to meet the unique needs of our customers. We are committed to providing industry-leading solutions that not only meet our customers’ energy needs but also contribute to a sustainable future. Our long-standing reputation for excellence is a testament to our commitment to delivering value to our customers.
Mr. James S. Johnston, a Merchant, began a business in Barrie dealing in coal, wood, cement, and building supplies. Sixteen-year-old Walter Sarjeant went to work with Mr. Johnston.
Walter Sarjeant entered into a business partnership with his employer of 18 years, James S. Johnson. Together, they made the Johnston and Sarjeant Partnership in 1889.
When Mr. Johnston retired in 1903, the partnership dissolved. Still, Samuel Sarjeant (who had joined the company in 1890) and his brother Walter began a business called The Sarjeant Company of Barrie. In 1903, a new partnership was formed in Orillia with the retirement of Mr. Sanderson, who was in a similar type of business.
Both Sarjeant locations (Barrie and Orillia) were incorporated as The Sarjeant Company Limited, with Barrie serving as its head office.
Walter Sarjeant and Allan Laidman, partners, started Sarjeant Insurance.
Sarjeant Insurance was incorporated as part of Sarjeant Co. Ltd. Later, in 1950, it became a separate firm.
The company bought the Jenkins Coal Co. in Allandale and Barrie. An artificial ice plant with a capacity of 12 tonnes a day was installed in Orillia. Operations ceased in 1966.
The company bought the Cameron Ellis Gibson Ltd. fuel and oil business.
The ready-mix concrete business began with a plant built in Barrie and two ready-mix trucks. A plant was later built in Orillia.
John Elliott started Elliott Mobile Mix in North Bay.
John Elliott founded Custom Ready Mix Limited with his cousin Fraser Elliott, founder of Stikeman Elliott LLP in 1952, with 12 employees in Markham with a concrete plant, garage and office.
Custom expands with plant #2 in Mississauga
Custom Concrete Northern adds a Technical Service Department and builds a concrete testing laboratory in Markham.
Renaming of “Custom Ready Mix Limited” to “Custom Concrete Limited” and expansion of plant #3 in Oakville.
Custom Concrete Ltd. purchased the Sarjeant Company, a new era began with the Elliott family, and has represented its largest acquisition. This acquisition added three concrete plants to Customs’ portfolio: Barrie, Orillia, and Midland, and it expanded to Brechin in the years to follow. The business also supplied home heating oil, as well as other building materials and land holdings.
Sarjeant acquires Terminal Holdings (Barrie) Limited and Barrie Trucking Terminal & Warehousing to expand its land holdings, building materials, and trucking divisions. Part of the land holdings is where the new Sarjeant facilities were constructed for the concrete plant and fuel operation off of Dunlop Street, the current head office on Sarjeant Drive. Sarjeant Moved from its location on Mary Street, which was home for approximately 90 years.
Custom Concrete Northern buys pits in Uxbridge and 200 acres in Aberfoyle and founds Custom Aggregates. It also expanded and bought Belko Ready Mix to add an Oshawa plant and build a Bracebridge plant. Custom’s footprint is now Burlington in the West, Bowmanville in the East, and Huntsville in the North.
Concrete block plant and building supplies in Barrie and Orillia are sold from Sarjeant.
Custom Concrete bought Parnell Concrete Products in Timmins, establishing a regional office off Riverside Drive, including a concrete block plant, a large aggregate deposit, and a construction supply business. The same year, Custom purchased its first portable ready-mix plant, the AssinckOne. It is mobilized in Timmins at the Dougwall site to supply 100,000 yards of concrete for the new Kidd Creek Smelter site. This was the first of many portable concrete plants we would use to perform projects in the far North of Ontario for mining, infrastructure, pulp and paper, and lumber sites.
Sold Bracebridge concrete plant to Muskoka Ready Mix Limited.
The fuel oil petroleum products division had the most significant growth between 1970 and 1985, acquiring many companies from Barrie, Midland, Orillia, Alliston and surrounding areas including but not limited to; Maverick Fuels Ltd (Alliston), Rolls and Simpson Ltd, Peacock Petroleum Ltd (Barrie), Orillia Fuels Ltd and Coldwater Heating.
Custom acquired Kirk Dowling Concrete in Barrie.
Custom acquired Timmins Diesel Limited, bringing fuel delivery to the Timmins region.
John Elliott grows Custom Concrete Group into Canada’s largest privately-owned ready-mix company. John and Fraser sold Custom Concrete Limited to St. Lawrence Cement Inc., and at the same time, John bought Fraser’s equity in the remaining assets and parted ways. They divested all assets South of Highway 9. Still, they retained The Sarjeant Company all assets North of Highway 9 across Simcoe County and Muskoka as well as the newly founded Custom Concrete (Northern) in Timmins and Iroquois Falls, as well as the portable plants in Detour Lake, Chapleau and Cochrane. Again, a new era was born.
Sarjeant Aggregates is formed by purchasing aggregate pits in Essa, Oro and Phelpston.
Sarjeant marked 100 years in business.
The opening of the Aberfoyle Springs plant in Hope, BC.
After the sale of Aberfoyle Springs, Scott Elliott bought out his brother’s interest in The Sarjeant Company Limited and Custom Concrete (Northern), starting the second generation of Elliott ownership and operation.
Sarjeants opened a ready-mix plant in Bradford, Ontario.
Sarjeants opened a ready-mix plant in Huntsville, Ontario. From this location, they could service commercial and residential customers in the Muskoka area.
In 2007, our property development efforts reached new heights. We successfully completed a much larger residential development in Essa Township, Brownley Meadows, which comprised 376 residential homes. This project was a testament to our growth and success in the industry. Additionally, the start of the Carson Ridge Estate subdivision in Midhurst saw the development of 51 residential estate homes.
The company acquired three fuel companies, Grants Fuels, Leeder Fuels, and Middleton Fuels, expanding its reach in the fuel business. Custom Concrete (Northern) in Timmins consolidated its locations into a new, larger facility in early 2008, bringing its many different divisions under one roof.
Our Huntsville operation grew from an aggregate pit into a brand-new 5,000-square-foot building in early 2009. This location is the regional office for the Muskoka area.
Acquired Waites Fuel in Muskoka.
Acquired the oil portion of Budget Fuel in Muskoka
Sarjeants established a concrete plant northwest of Fort McMurray, Alberta to provide concrete for a large commercial project.
We also mourn the passing of our esteemed founder, John Orville Elliott, on June 19th, in his 81st year.
Sarjeants opened a new commercial Cardlock fuel depot in Timmins. Four centres (Barrie, Orillia, Midland and Timmins) now use a computerized automated system to fuel trucks 24 hours a day.
Sarjeants acquired a CRS residential propane business to enter the propane industry and start its customers’ transition from heating oil.
Brandon Elliott was appointed President of The Sarjeant Company Limited to start the third generation of Elliott owner-operators. In the same year, Sarjeants purchased Flying D Fuels.
Sarjeants opens a new ready-mix plant in Parry Sound.
This site will also have a new card lock fuel/propane outlet on the way now (estimated to launch in 2025). Timmins Rail Depot includes a cement blending and storage facility and a fuel and propane storage facility. This is to assist with the high transport costs and the serviceability of products in the North due to inclement weather and treacherous roads.
November 2023 also marks a milestone for Sarjeants with the successful acquisition of the Northern Ontario territory, spanning from Fort Frances to New Liskeard, from Superior Propane. The territory operates under the newly founded Sarjeant Propane Limited, a division of The Sarjeant Company Limited. Sarjeant Propane welcomes this new chapter and is proud of the chance to bring job opportunities, such as backend office staff, administration, and operations, back to the North, ultimately enabling better service for customers and the community of Northern Ontario.
The Bracebridge Cardlock fuel station at the propane depot is now open to the public, expanding the Cardlocks to five locations.
