For many Armenians in Brantford, industrial work served as an important source of economic stability and opportunity, enabling them to build new lives and contribute to the community's growth. These individuals found employment in local factories and businesses, where their hard work and dedication played a crucial role in shaping the city's industrial history. 

One of the first significant employers of Armenian immigrants within the community was Cockshutt Plow Works, a manufacturer of large agricultural machinery. This association between Cockshutt and the Armenian community began in the late 1880s when Colonel Harry Cockshutt recruited ten Keghi migrants from Constantinople to work in his factory. 

In 1900, the Pratt and Letchworth Malleable Iron Company opened a new manufacturing center on Wilkins Street, creating increased opportunities for industrial workers. Armenians from Troy and Buffalo were recruited as labourers in the new factory, setting a precedent for Armenian employment in the company. 

For many, boarding homes became a crucial source of housing and a sense of community during their transition to Canada. These boarding homes offered shelter and a supportive environment where workers could connect with fellow Armenians, share experiences, and navigate the challenges of their new surroundings. One of these boarding homes, run by Hagop Seferian, served to provide not only housing but also a barbershop and coffee house for Armenian industrial workers in the community. 

Industrial work offered opportunities for Armenians, but the lack of safety regulations and cultural tensions often made conditions dangerous. In 1912, Dragan Kalabian was tragically crushed by an elevator while transporting castings at Buck Stove Co. Stanley Vroman, a Cockshutt employee, suffered a severe back injury when it broke loose from a machine. Fights also broke out, such as a violent clash in 1912 between Armenian and Turkish workers at the city waterworks, where men were beaten with pickaxe handles.