Tooling Development Inc. traces its origins to the early engineering pursuits of our founder, Peter Plank. At the age of 14, Peter embarked on his engineering education at the Higher Technical Bundeslehranstalt (HTL) in Fulpmes, Tirol, Austria. After completing the rigorous four-year program, he immigrated to South Africa, where he honed his skills in various roles within the manufacturing industry. Committed to continuous improvement, Peter furthered his education by completing several manufacturing-related courses and a three-year program in production management.
In 1987, after 15 years of industry experience, Peter founded Fixturing and Tooling Development. Initially, the company focused on designing and manufacturing tools and fixtures for the automotive industry. This early specialization laid the groundwork for our expertise in precision engineering and manufacturing solutions.
In late 1996, Peter and his family relocated to Canada, where he established Tooling Development Inc. north of Toronto. The company’s commitment to excellence and innovation continued to grow, supported by the dedicated involvement of the Plank family.
Val Plank, with her extensive background in information technology, joined the company in 2010. Bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience, she now oversees the administrative functions, ensuring smooth and efficient operations.
Kristian Plank, after completing his studies in manufacturing technology and gaining valuable experience in structural and aerospace machining, joined the company in 2014. Kristian has continued to expand his expertise by completing courses and programs in manufacturing management, electrical systems, automation, and robotics.
Today, Tooling Development Inc. stands as a testament to the Plank family’s dedication to quality and innovation. Our commitment to excellence is evident in every project we undertake, as we continue to provide exceptional tooling and machining solutions to our valued clients.
Tooling Development and the Plank’s
Mr. Peter Plank, the founder of Tooling Development Inc., Started his engineering education at the early age of 14 by entering the “HTL” “Higher Technical Bundes Lehranstalt” in Fulpmes, Tirol, Austria. Upon finalizing the four-year program, Mr. Plank immigrated to South Africa, where he worked in various capacities in the manufacturing industry. Mr. Plank further educated himself by completing various Automation-related subjects and completing a 3-year program in Production Management. After 15 Years, Mr. Plank founded “Fixturing and Tooling Development.”
Tooling Development Inc. started in 1992 as “Fixturing and Tooling Development Inc.” in South Africa. We serve suppliers to the automotive industry by designing and manufacturing tools and fixtures used by our customers in the manufacturing process. In 1994, Fixturing and Tooling Development moved into its custom-built factory in Apex near Benoni, Transvaal.
At the end of 1996, Mr. Peter Plank, along with his wealth of experience and knowledge, immigrated to Canada. It was here, north of Toronto in Newmarket, that he founded Tooling Development Inc., marking a new chapter in the company’s history.
In 2013, we relocated to Uxbridge, northeast of Toronto.
The Plank family’s commitment to Tooling Development Inc. is evident in their roles within the company. Val Plank, with her extensive experience in Information Technology, joined the company in 2010, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience. She oversees the administration aspects. Kristian Plank, after completing the CNC Program in Georgian Collage in Barrie Ontario, joined the family business in 2014. His practical skills are complemented by his continuous education in Automation and Robotics.