We’ve been a company inspired by passion and dreaming of a better way. Led by an attitude of innovation and craftsmanship, we’ve cultivated a history of excellence through these two closely held ideals. There’s been ups and downs but through it all, we’ve never given up on the thought that any big problem can be solved with a bigger solution.
Years ago, we embarked on a journey of innovation and excellence. Read through our company’s rich history, as it unfolds through decades of pioneering, dedication, and transformative achievements.
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In the 1980s, our founder and CEO, Demetrius Tsafaridis, spent over a decade at Dofasco, gaining in-depth expertise in the steel industry through a variety of roles. His relentless drive and passion for new challenges led to an insightful conversation with a colleague about steel warehousing during a trip. This sparked an idea in Demetrius’ mind. Drawing on his extensive industry knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit, he recognised a unique opportunity to create something new. Demetrius left his secure position and, alongside his colleague, founded Thompson Storage, laying the foundation for what would eventually become CareGo.
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Two years into the journey, Demetrius' entrepreneurial vision evolved. He launched SteelCare, a 150,000-square-foot operation specialising in high-quality storage and transloading services. His drive for expansion led to the creation of RailCare, focusing on rail car maintenance, and TransCare, which operated a fleet of 18 semi-trucks and 54 steel-haul trailers for transportation services. With a talented team in place, CareGo began its transformation into a diversified logistics powerhouse, effectively managing products across all transportation channels.
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With the businesses running smoothly, Demetrius sought to take the next bold step. He set out to create a next-generation, fully automated facility while pursuing LEED Gold certification for sustainability. This innovative design allowed for more products to be stored in a smaller footprint, significantly reducing human interaction and enhancing both safety and efficiency. Plant 19 became the benchmark for CareGo’s future—a testament to the company's commitment to pioneering new solutions in the logistics industry.
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Amid the global recession of 2008, Demetrius made strategic moves to streamline CareGo’s expanding operations. TransCare, RailCare, and SteelCare were consolidated into a unified company, CareGo. By identifying inefficiencies in rail transport, CareGo invented a cradle to support steel coils—a product that would have international impact. This innovation not only helped CareGo navigate the recession but also cemented the company’s reputation for its commitment to industry-leading solutions.
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By the time Plant 19 had proven successful, CareGo had been developing cutting-edge automation software—TELIA. TELIA revolutionized production and storage processes, leading the way for a new era of innovation in logistics. As CareGo shifted its focus to software development, the company’s deep industry experience, combined with its knack for problem-solving, made them leaders in automation. The demand for TELIA exceeded expectations, prompting a swift expansion to meet industry needs. With rapid growth, the CareGo team continued to push the envelope, revolutionizing the industry with every advancement.
Demetrius sold off CareGo’s distribution business to focus entirely on technology. Since the successful proof of concept at Plant 19 over a decade ago, which showcased the transformative potential of automation in industrial storage and material handling, CareGo has remained dedicated to advancing its solution. Branded as TELIA, the platform has steadily evolved with regular enhancements. In 2015, the release of TELIA 2 marked a major milestone, introducing features to meet the diverse demands of facilities and product types, including long products and cassettes. This launch reinforced CareGo’s commitment to innovation, cementing its role in reshaping the industry’s future.
By 2018, TELIA had been integrated into over a dozen facilities across multiple countries, cementing its status as an industry leader. As word spread about CareGo’s ability to optimise facility operations, demand surged, driving our mission to expand TELIA’s reach. At the same time, we introduced groundbreaking features, including dual crane flight paths. This marked the start of a new era for CareGo—one of rapid growth, new product offerings, and entry into new markets, heralding an extraordinary journey filled with possibilities.
In the late 2010s, CareGo experienced remarkable growth, highlighted by CEO Demetrius receiving the prestigious Hamilton Citizen of the Year Award. However, the pandemic brought unforeseen challenges, slowing projects across the board. Undeterred, we used this time for reflection, innovation, and improvement. This period of focus culminated in the launch of TELIA 3, boasting over fifty new enhancements, alongside the introduction of TELIA Handheld, a state-of-the-art inventory management system. Through resilience and collaboration, we not only navigated these uncertainties but emerged stronger, prepared to thrive in any environment.
During the pandemic’s unprecedented challenges, CareGo rose to the occasion, demonstrating resilience and determination. Drawing on a decade of growth and success, we quickly adapted by implementing upgrades to TELIA, enhancing functionality for our partners and streamlining workflows when efficiency was most critical. Undeterred by the obstacles, we achieved the milestone of integrating North America’s first coil magnet lift. These efforts strengthened our team’s culture of innovation and perseverance, preparing us to confidently tackle challenges ahead.
Post-pandemic, our confidence soared with TELIA 3, a smarter, faster platform handling greater workloads and boosting global competitiveness. While celebrating success, CareGo advanced TELIA, expanding into new markets with tailored solutions. With five patents and more pending, we keep pushing innovation.
As we look ahead to 2025, this is an exciting moment to reflect on our journey and the opportunities that lie ahead. With our new logo and refreshed website, we are poised to make a meaningful impact—not just at home, but on a global scale. As part of our continued growth, we are expanding into Europe, bringing TELIA’s industry-leading automation to new markets. Behind the scenes, we’re working on transformative projects that will shape our future for years to come. TELIA for rectangular and palletised products exemplifies our dedication to innovation, alongside our new Vision automatic product detection system and other pioneering solutions. As we continue to progress, making a positive difference in our community remains at the heart of our mission. The road ahead is brimming with possibilities, and we’re thrilled to continue this journey with you into the future.
Join us on this exhilarating journey as we shape the future of technology and innovation for generations to come. Stay tuned for what lies ahead—an exciting wave of innovation set to redefine the material handling landscape.
Years of Innovation
Automated Movements
Automated Facilities
Over the years, we’ve allocated the necessary resources into finding the next service that’s going to help our clients, and ourselves, grow to new heights. Ever since our outset, we’ve strived to be the creative problem solvers, people that pick the big fight and come out stronger because of it. With five patents, more pending, and even more in production, we’re far from finishing blazing a trail in this industry and the next ones we find ourselves in.
Our involvement has centered around education and health for the kids and families that count on the center’s support. We’ve restored an old train’s dining car and turned it into a reading sanctuary where kids can learn about the world around them. Along with the train, we’ve also revamped a piper airplane where kids can learn what it takes to become a pilot in an immersive environment. In our relationship with the center, we’ve been able to help over 50 kids get to the collegiate level and give them opportunities to pursue their dreams.
We love the work that’s being done at the Eva Rothwell Center and will continue to host fundraisers, food and clothing drives to help those reach their potential. We hope to positively impact many lives in our community for years to come and are always looking to empower the next generation.
Please meet the CareGo Senior Team!
President & CEO
Chief Delivery Officer
Chief Product Officer
Chief Commercial Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Globalization Officer
Sales Manager,
Europe
Business Development,
Europe
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Business Development,
Europe
If you’re looking for a place that welcomes tenacity, passion and creative thinking, send us your resume. We’re always looking for people who work hard and think differently.
We're looking forward to meeting you
