The Barker story begins in the last decade of the 19th century, when John Jethro Barker purchased The Observer, a reputable newspaper in Cowansville, Quebec. His slogan "Job work with us is an art" soon became widely known in the community. Barker eventually sold the newspaper to concentrate on printing and advertising. Aggressive sales thrusts into Montreal, almost 100 kilometers away, won him a faithful clientele who appreciated the fine quality and dependable service that had become hallmarks of the J.J. Barker Company.
In 1927 the President's sons, Donald and George, took over at the helm. Like their father, they had a keen eye for market opportunity and accurately forecasted the trend towards outdoor advertising that swept up from the U.S. to take Canada by storm. Forewarned is forearmed, and Donald and George set about building a new plant and exploring the art of silk screening to develop highly accurate reproduction techniques for use on outdoor boards.
Never content with compromise, the company then began manufacturing its own silk screen enamels that would withstand prolonged exposure to the elements. Finally, Barker's ingenuity was applied to developing and patenting a technique for weatherproofing fiberboard panels. It was not long before handsome metal-edged fiberboard signs, conspicuous because of their vivid, high quality coloring, had become a familiar sight throughout Canada.
After the war, John Jethro's grandson, Jack Barker, perceived a need to move away from custom-built production towards standardized manufacturing. His goal was to improve efficiency while maintaining the respect for quality and detail on which the company's reputation had been founded. He began looking for a way to capitalize on the company's considerable expertise in painting, printing and weatherproofing fiberboard panels.
After touring the U.S. accompanied by a tile board producer from Pennsylvania, Jack Barker returned home to Canada, his enthusiasm kindled by the enormous opportunities for marketing a first rate product whose ease of application and modern, vibrant appearance would catch the public's imagination in the post war years. And so the company began working first on the concept, then on the implementation of a decorative, practical tile board paneling for high humidity areas such as kitchens and bathrooms.
Since that time, thanks to its qualified top-flight designers and suppliers and to its enterprising distributors, J.J. Barker has gone from success to success, consolidating gains and breaking records. The business continues to be family owned and today is run by Jack Barker's children. - the 4th generation.
