History

1959

  • Avco Tool & Die founded by Michael G. Solcz in a 1,200 square foot facility on Shepherd Street East in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
  • Stanley Stepp joins the company as a 50% partner.
Valiant TMS founding partners; from left to right: Michael G. Solcz, Stan Stepp and Santo Piccinato

1963

  • Company name changed to Valiant Machine & Tool Inc.
  • Santo Piccinato joined the company as partner.
  • Valiant relocates to 7470 Tecumseh Road East in Windsor.

Photo: Michael G. Solcz, Stanley Stepp, Santo Piccinato

Valiant TMS - Valco Manufacturing Division manager standing beside large steel fabrication

1965

  • Valco Manufacturing Inc. is established, adding in-house fabrication capabilities; 7470 Tecumseh Road East expanded by 40,000 square feet to accommodate.
Valiant TMS mold technician working on plastic injection mold in the 1990's

1972

  • Valiant Tool & Mold Inc. established in Windsor, specializing in the design and manufacturing of plastic injection tooling.

1984

  • TMS founded in Linz, Austria by ÖIAG (Österreichische Staatsindustrie) from Voest Alpine Maschinenbau – Integrated Systems division.
Former Valiant TMS facility in Troy, Michigan

1987

  • Valiant International, Inc. established in Troy, Michigan, USA, strengthening the company’s engineering capabilities.
Aerial view of Valiant TMS facility at 6161 Tecumseh Road East in Windsor, Ontario, Canada

1988

  • Valiant relocated to 6161 Tecumseh Road East in Windsor to accommodate a large Ford door assembly line project.
Valiant TMS Preci-Flex framing system for automotive body in white assembly

1990

  • Valiant develops first body in white framing system for Chrysler Canada’s new LH Series.
  • Valiant awarded aerospace contract from The Boeing Company.
Valiant TMS facility in Linz Austria

1994

  • TMS opens new Headquarters in Linz, Austria
Valiant TMS closure hanging system for decklid

1996

  • Valiant named Ford global supplier of closure systems.
  • Developed 18 vehicle framing systems for General Motors.
  • Partnership formed with Steelweld in the Netherlands to support global Ford programs.
  • Further global expansion: Valiant International NV in Belgium, Avco Tech in the United Kingdom, Anton Bauer in Germany; Global IEM in Canada; R & R Tool & Mold in Canada
Valiant TMS Uni-Beam Inverted Press Hemmer

1998

  • Valiant became the first company to be awarded the prestigious ISO9001-QS9000-TE designation.
  • Valiant acquires 100% of E.R. St. Denis Inc., adding hemming equipment capabilities.
  • New headquarters built at 9355 Anchor Drive in Windsor to accommodate growing body in white business.
Valiant TMS fabricated undercarriages for Feller Buncher forestry machines

2003

  • Valco Manufacturing begins production of parts for heavy construction and forestry products.
  • All Canadian facilities certified ISO-14001.
  • 6 Sigma initiative launched.
  • Business unit launched to focus on tier-1 automotive customers.
  • Hydroforming production begins at 6161 Tecumseh Road East.
Valiant TMS Ford World Excellence Award for Social Responsibility

2004

  • Valiant received Ford World Excellence Award for Social Responsibility.

2006

  • Valiant acquired 100% of TMS Transport- und Montagesysteme GmbH in Europe to better serve customers globally; forming Valiant TMS.
Valiant TMS leadership pose with Boeing leadership after being awarded Boeing Supplier of the Year Award 2007

2007

  • Valiant TMS received Boeing Performance Excellence Award and later named Boeing Supplier of the Year 2007.
Valiant TMS facility in Linz, Austria - Southpark

2009

  • Valiant TMS celebrated 50 years in business.
  • Valiant TMS Systems Pvt. Ltd. established in Pune, India.
  • Valiant TMS named 2009 GM Supplier of the Year.
  • New facility constructed in Linz, Austria to accommodate growth.

2010

  • Valiant TMS Ro s.r.l. established in Oradea, Romania.
  • Valiant TMS GmbH established in Cologne, Germany.
Valiant TMS training and development centre students learning from instructor on boring mill

2011

  • Valiant TMS opened Training and Development Centre in Windsor in response to an industry-wide skilled trades shortage.
  • Valiant de Mexico established in Queretaro, Mexico.
Valiant TMS General Motors Supplier of the Year Award 2013

2013

  • Valiant TMS Spanien S.L established in Barcelona, Spain.
  • Valiant TMS named 2013 GM Supplier of the Year.

2014

  • Valiant TMS named 2014 GM Supplier of the Year.
  • Valiant TMS received Volkswagen Group Award 2014.

2015

  • Valiant TMS received 2015 Ford World Excellence Award for Welding Equipment / Body Construction.
  • Valiant TMS named GM Supplier of the Year 2015.

2016

  • Valiant TMS acquired 187,000 square foot facility at 2469 Executive Hills Drive in Auburn Hills, Michigan to expand US operations and add manufacturing space.

2017

  • Valiant TMS acquired by a Chinese consortium, expanding global scale to deliver total solutions.
  • St. Clair College took over the Training and Development Center.

2019

  • Valiant TMS celebrated 60 years in business.
  • The company has positioned itself as a provider of intelligent automation solutions for the smart factory of the future (Industry 4.0).
  • A streamlined brand identity is rolled out to better reflect the technology-driven company.

2020

  • Certain assets of the Tool & Mold division sold to Concours Mold Inc., enabling Valiant TMS to continue concentrating on its core business of designing and integrating intelligent automation systems.