1989: Gem Limousine was originally founded by a gentleman by the name of Gary E. McGregor (G.E.M.). Gary started the business after taking an early retirement from the corporate world. Initially the home base for Gem Limousine was Milton Ontario but serving all of Halton Region. Gary started out with a 1989 grey Chevrolet Caprice Classic 6 passenger stretch limousine and later added a Lincoln Town Car sedan to his service offering. From day one, Gem Limousine has been built on service. It was Gary’s personalized service and attention to detail that allowed him to build his clientele through continuous word of mouth referrals from his happy customers. To this day we still drive some of GEM’s original customers and they always ask if we ever hear how he is doing. Gary belonged to a business networking group in Oakville called the CEO club (Commercial Executives Organization of Oakville). Through this group Gary met Carl DeMunck and Dean Williams (the current owners of Gem Limousine Service).
March 1999: Gary handed over the driving gloves and keys of a tired Caprice Classic Stretch limousine to Carl and Dean who at the time owned an automotive detailing and rust proofing franchise in Oakville. It was a great fit as they had a place to store, clean and maintain the limousines.
April 1999: Realizing the increasing demand for the ability to transport larger groups, Gem Limousine acquired their first white Lincoln super stretch limousine. This limousine allowed GEM to grow the wedding, wine tour and social sector of the business.
Dec 1999: Gem Limousine retired the Caprice Classic Stretch Limousine and purchased black Lincoln six passenger stretch limousine. The limousine allowed GEM to start and grow the corporate sector of the business which currently represents over half of Gem Limousine’s client base.
Feb 2001: Carl and Dean realized the growth potential in the limousine industry and sold the automotive franchise in Oakville. This allowed them to focus their efforts on growing Gem Limousine in both the corporate and retail sectors of the business.
Jan 2002: With the soaring popularity of the internet, a web presence was needed and the domain www.gemlimo.ca was registered. Work began on the first website. It allowed new customers to view the services and vehicles that we offered. Through a simple web form, potential customers could submit inquiries and quotation requests.
Oct 2002: Gem Limousine traded in the black six passenger stretch limousine on a new white Lincoln six passenger stretch limousine. This was one of the first new body style limousines in the area as Lincoln changed the styling for the 2003 model year.
April 2003: Gem Limousine replaced the original super stretch limousine with a new Krystal 5 Door Lincoln super stretch limousine. At the time, this was one of the luxurious, most technologically advanced limousines on the market. Having the new 5 Door limousine differentiated GEM from their competitors, fostering even more growth in the wedding and social sector of the marketplace.
Nov 2003: In order to meet the needs of their growing corporate clientele, Gem Limousine added their first Lincoln luxury sedan to the fleet. With drinking and driving enforcement becoming more stringent, business clients required a more professional service than what a taxi company could offer. The luxury sedan service currently represents half of Gem Limousine’s business.
Nov 2004: Gem Limousine moved into a new location in Oakville on Speers Road.
Jan 2005: Gem Limousine added another Krystal 5 Door Lincoln super stretch limousine to the fleet.
Nov 2005: A new website was created, with online bookings, vehicle galleries, downloadable marketing material, etc. A lot of new web technologies were used in order to better enhance the users web experience. Once the site was live, Gem Limousine started an aggressive online marketing campaign.
January 2008: Gem Limousine won the Burlington Post Reader’s Choice Diamond Award.
January 2009: Gem Limousine won both the Oakville Beaver and The Burlington Post Reader’s Choice Diamond Award.
March 2009: Due to the escalating demand for transporting even larger groups, Gem Limousine added the Krystal 20 passenger Limo Bus. By adding this vehicle, Gem Limousine was able to expand the service offering for Niagara Wine Tours, sightseeing tours, corporate outings, and weddings.
January 2010: Gem Limousine won the Burlington Post Reader’s Choice Platinum Award.
November 2010: Gem Limousine added another Krystal 5 Door Lincoln super stretch limousine to the fleet.
November 2011: Gem Limousine moved to a new location in Burlington on Harvester Road.
February 2012: Gem Limousine won the Burlington Post Reader’s Choice Award for the fiftth year in a row. Thank you to everyone who voted for us this year.
March 2012: Gem Limousine added a 14 passenger Stretch SUV to the fleet.
March 2012: We launched our new website with a full online reservation system. This allows our customers to login and setup accounts, create reservations, view open reservations, print receipts for expense reports, and obtain quotes for future trips.
July 2012: Gem Limousine won the Oakville Beaver’s Reader’s Choice Platinum Award.
Sept 2012: To meet corporate demand Gem Limousine added full sized SUV capable of carrying 6 passengers with business luggage.
Sept 2014: To diversify the fleet and have an offering for large groups, Gem Limousine added the Krystal 30 passenger Limo Bus. By adding this vehicle, Gem Limousine was able to expand into the larger group service offering for Niagara Wine Tours, sightseeing tours, corporate outings, and weddings.
May 2015: Recognizing a growing trend across the border Gem Limousine added a Mercedes Sprinter Limousine capable of carrying 10-12 passengers. The Sprinter Limousine is ideal for corporate group transport, sightseeing/wine tours, elderly groups that may have individuals with mobility concerns, golf tournament outings, and airport transport.
Sept 2015: Gem Limousine won the Milton Champion’s Reader’s Choice award. Thank you to everyone who voted for us this year.
Jan 2017: Gem Limousine took delivery of a brand new Grech Motors GM33 22 passenger limo bus. Grech Motors builds the most innovative, highest-quality commercial buses by drawing on more than 30 years of experience in high-end luxury bus and coach manufacturing.
May 2017: Gem Limousine won silver in the CHCH TV Business Excellence Awards.
April 2018: Gem Limousine took delivery of a brand new Grech Motors GM28 18 passenger limo bus.
May 2018: Gem Limousine won bronze in the CHCH TV Business Excellence Awards.
March 2019: Gem Limousine celebrated 30 years of luxury ground transportation.
April 2019: Gem Limousine made it through to the finalist round in the Burlington Chamber of Commerce Awards of Business Excellence employer of the year category.