About Russell A. Farrow Limited

With operations dating back to 1911, Russell A. Farrow Limited has a long history of providing international trade services to North American importers and exporters.

Originally founded as a small enterprise serving the ferry traffic between Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario, the company has since grown to become one of the largest customs brokerage firms in Canada, providing a comprehensive range of customs brokerage, logistics and international trade solutions through a network of offices and affiliates at strategic locations across Canada and around the world.

Our History

Born in Ottawa, Russell Alexander Farrow moved to Windsor, ON in 1910, where he worked briefly as a Dominion Customs Appraiser, investigating duty drawback claims for the Department of National Revenue.

The following year, he left the Department and started his own customs brokerage firm to service the bustling commercial ferry traffic between Detroit and Windsor.

The fledgling company temporarily ceased operations during WWI when the young Russell Farrow enlisted in the Canadian army and served with distinction on the Western Front.

Returning home in 1918, he soon revived the business and went on to enjoy considerable success during the period of economic prosperity and industrial expansion that followed the War.

Always seeking new opportunities, Russell Farrow was one of the first brokers in Canada to have his own delivery vehicles to provide customers with an integrated brokerage and transportation service. During the 1930's Russell Farrow also became actively involved in politics, both as a local organizer for the Liberal Party and as the mayor of Walkerville, Ontario in 1934.

After his death in 1949 at the age of 58, Russell Farrow's wife, Alice, assumed control of the company as President. She was followed by her two sons, Robinson R. Farrow and Huntley J. Farrow, both of whom steadily expanded the company's local operations and facilities over the years.

Recognizing the potential of computer, in the early 1960s Huntley Farrow established the company as a leading developer of programs specifically tailored to international trade, and as a pioneer in the use of electronic communications and automated technology.

Like his father, Huntley Farrow was actively involved in local politics, first as a councillor for the municipality of Riverside, ON and later for the city of Windsor, ON. Today, his son Richard J. Farrow is the President and C.E.O. of the company.

The Present

Beginning in the 1970's with the acquisition of several smaller brokerage firms and the opening of branch offices at major ports across Ontario, the company has experienced a period of dynamic growth and change that has continued unabated.

In 1995, the company amalgamated with four other well-established customs brokers — Canadian Trade Resources Ltd. of Windsor, Henry Weiner Inc. and J.MacD.Thomson Ltd. both of Toronto, and Mid West Higinbotham Ltd. of Edmonton — to form an integrated national customs brokerage and logistics organization under the Farrow name.

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