[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Booth_Smith.jpg” caption=”Walter Booth (left) chats with Peter Smith, acting dean of the Faculty of Engineering, after the announcement of his $2-million donation. Below, Booth shakes hands with McMaster President Peter George in front of a painting Booth received as a token of appreciation from the Faculty of Engineering. Photos by Susan Bubak.”]His company's head office may be tucked away in the rolling hills of Ontario's dairy country, but it has strung together the world. Walter Booth (P.Eng.), chairman of the Timberland Group of Companies, today announced a $2-million donation to the Faculty of Engineering at McMaster University, the institution that he acknowledges helped to set him on a path to global success.

Timberland, based in Woodstock, Ontario, is known worldwide for providing utility equipment and machinery to the hydro, telecommunications, marine and mining industries.

“John Hodgins, the dean of the Faculty at the time, and Jim Siddall, a professor of mechanical engineering, allowed me to enroll in the engineering program even though my qualifications did not strictly meet the admission criteria,” Booth explained. “They took a chance on me and this is a way for me to thank them. It also allows me to help provide a chance for others to advance their engineering education.”

Booth, born in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, graduated from Ryerson Institute of Technology (now Ryerson University) as a mechanical technologist.

After working as a designer at Stelco in Hamilton for several years, he applied to McMaster's engineering program. He graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in 1962 and returned to complete a master's degree in 1965. He joined Timberland full time upon graduation.

“Canada needs more Walter Booths,” said McMaster University President Peter George. “His modesty and reserve hide the true spirit of an entrepreneur. We are very fortunate to have his vision and support in educating future engineers and in pursuing emerging areas of research.”

To acknowledge his contribution, McMaster's School of Engineering Practice is to be named after Walter Booth. The space in the new engineering building now under construction, where the School will be relocated, will also carry his name.

“This is a tremendous gift from a gentleman with a long history of engagement with McMaster,” said Peter Smith, acting dean, Faculty of Engineering, McMaster University. “It is a gift that will help inspire and support our engineering students and faculty as they pursue new levels of achievement of which we know we will all be proud.”

The School of Engineering Practice offers graduate level programs through three centres: The Xerox Centre for Engineering Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the Dofasco Centre for Engineering and Public Policy and the General Motors of Canada Centre for Engineering Design.

This is the second major donation Booth has made to the Faculty and the School. In 2003, he donated $1 million to establish the Walter G. Booth Chair in Engineering Entrepreneurship and Innovation, now held by Rafik Loutfy, director of the Centre. Booth sits on the Centre's advisory board. He also sits on the Dean's Advisory Committee for the Faculty of Engineering.

“His donations have helped to build a new professional school, but his insight and leadership have helped to set its course,” said Andrew Hrymak, director, School of Engineering Practice. “Thanks to Walter's support, engineering students have new options of study relevant to today's economy and society, whether it is related to public policy, design or entrepreneurship and innovation.”

The Timberland Group consists of six companies with offices in Woodstock and Sudbury, Ontario; Chester, Nova Scotia; Bay Roberts, Newfoundland; Shreveport, Louisiana and China. The Timberland Group employs approximately 400 people globally.

It began as a manufacturer of winching equipment for the logging industry and moved on to conductor handling equipment for use in the construction and maintenance of electrical transmission and distribution lines, plus telecommunications and fiber optic projects.

“We were selling into China in the mid-70s, before that country became more open to foreign companies,” recalls Booth. “And we've been working in the United States, Mexico and South America even longer.”

Through strategic acquisitions that complemented its core business, The Timberland Group expanded into the mining sector, manufacturing specialized utility vehicles and equipment for harsh underground environments. More recently, it moved into the marine sector providing anchoring, mooring, towing, winching and other related equipment and services used in the offshore oil drilling industry.

Booth attributes part of the success of The Timberland Group to hiring engineers with an entrepreneurial bent similar to his and others in the company. He feels strongly that Canada needs more entrepreneurs, particularly in engineering, and is supporting young people to pursue the profession. And he continues to keep the doors open for potential hires.

“If you like mechanical engineering and have an entrepreneurial bent, come and see us,” said Walter. “We're always looking for skilled and talented engineers.”