I-XL Industries

I-XL Industries

I-XL Industries Limited is the current name (since 1972), of the private company which operates brick and clay manufacturing plants in Medicine Hat and elsewhere. The original parent company, Redcliff Pressed Brick Company Limited, was established in 1912 by James Hargrave, James Mitchell (prominent ranchers/businessmen of the Medicine Hat area), and Herbert Sissons (a businessman from Montreal), as well as a number of other interested family members. The Company adopted the I-XL trademark in October 1920; a well known symbol still in use today. In 1929, the Redcliff Pressed Brick Co. Ltd, acquired the Medicine Hat Brick and Tile, one of the oldest brickmaking plants in Medicine Hat. Its beginnings can be traced back to the Medicine Hat Brick Works, started by Jacob and Charles Purmal, ca 1895. Other companies acquired throughout their history include Redcliff Premier Brick Company Limited, 1944, (now Redcliff Premier Natural Gas), National Porcelain Limited, 1959, and Alberta Clay Products Company Limited, 1960. Other subsidiary companies include Northwest Brick and Tile of Edmonton, Western Clay Products of Regina, and the Red River Brick and Tile of Lockport, Manitoba. Operation of the I-XL plant was taken over by the sons of Herbert John Sissons and Lissa R. (nee Hargrave) Sissons; Gordon (born 1920), Thomas Alexander (born 1923), and William John "Jack" (born ca. 1924). Herbert Sissons passed away on July 23, 1949. Today (1993), the plant is still overseen by the Sissons family; Jack and Tom, acting as Presidents and Gordon, as Chairman. The third generation of Sissons men have also taken on roles in the operation of the Company; Clayton as Corporate Solicitor, Graham as Real Estate Manager, and Malcolm as Manager.

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