The original company was founded in 1933 by J.D. Oaks and operated as a family owned business under the name of Oaks Precast Industries in Guelph, Ontario.
Originally manufactured concrete brick and block for the local renovation market and later precast concrete sewer products. In May of 1972, Oaks Precast was purchased by Standard Industries (later to be known as Lafarge) from the Oaks family.
In 1981, Oaks diversified into a new market - the concrete paving stone and retaining wall products. Production for these lines began at the Markham, Ontario plant. The London, Ontario facility (shared with Concrete Pipe Company) produced paving stones and walls during the years 1985 to 1989. This plant was instrumental in the development of the US market in Michigan.