Sudbury's iconic Miner's Lunch Box back in production
June 3rd marked the relaunch of an iconic product in Sudbury. The L. May Miner's Lunch Box is back in production after a brief hiatus.
It was invented in Sudbury 65 years ago by the late Leo May, who worked as a miner underground.
"There were no amenities underground, it was just rocks," said Catherine May Langin, the inventor's daughter.
"He needed something at the end of the shift to rest on. So he decided to make his own lunchbox that he could tip on end and sit on it while he waited for the cage."
Gary McLean has been working for L. May for 52 years and takes pride in the workmanship and durability of the product. It comes with a lifetime guarantee.
"We have a quality product that is known in the mining industry as well as a lot of construction outfits and it's a quality product and it's sold itself," said McLean.
A new group now runs the company, but not much has changed, including handcrafting the iconic lunchboxes in Sudbury.
"We are known as the mining capital of the world and Leo May was a miner and he saw a need for a strong durable product," said Sue Lekun, the business development manager at L. May Miner's Lunch Box. "It's environmentally friendly, it lasts a lifetime, it can be passed on in generations."
The company said the relaunch is also in response to demand.
"I retired in 2019 and there was such a pent up demand for the lunchboxes, everybody was asking where are they? Where are they? So some angel investors flew in and starting the relaunch of the largest lunchbox," said Catherine May Langin.
Since the L May Miner's Lunch Box was invented in 1956, more than two million have been sold to workers all over the world. As the business relaunches, it plans to do sales online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Hurts like hell': What goes into the price of gas in Canada
With the price of gas rising above $2 per litre and setting new records in Canada this year, CTVNews.ca looks at what goes into the price per litre of gasoline and where the situation could go from here.

'This is an unusual situation': Feds monitoring monkeypox cases in Canada
Canada's Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam says the federal government is monitoring monkeypox cases and their chains of transmission after two cases were confirmed in this country.
'Fight for a stronger Alberta': Kenney comments for first time since announcing resignation
Premier Jason Kenney spoke publicly Friday for the first time since dropping the bombshell announcement that he plans to step down as UCP leader and premier of Alberta.
WHO calls emergency meeting as monkeypox cases cross 100 in Europe
The World Health Organization was due to hold an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the recent outbreak of monkeypox, a viral infection more common to west and central Africa, after more than 100 cases were confirmed or suspected in Europe.
BREAKING | Quebec City Halloween attacker found guilty of first-degree murder
A man who used a sword to kill and maim victims in Quebec City's historic district on Halloween night 2020 has been found guilty of murder.
NEW | Decision to ban Huawei and ZTE from 5G wasn't easy, PM Trudeau says
On the heels of news that Canada is banning Huawei Technologies and ZTE from participating in the country’s 5G wireless networks, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the decision wasn't easy to make. The prime minister also defended the timing of the decision, saying that while it will be years before all use of products from these Chinese companies will be outlawed, it's happening before the country is even more interconnected by the next-generation telecommunications infrastructure.
NEW | Ontario woman says daughter was discriminated against over face mask
An Ontario woman believes her daughter was discriminated against after she was allegedly kicked out of a local activity centre over her choice to wear a face mask.
Trump pays US$110K fine, must submit paperwork to end contempt
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has paid the US$110,000 in fines he racked up after being held in contempt of court for being slow to respond to a civil subpoena issued by New York's attorney general.
What to do when your home appraisal falls short as the housing market cools
The cooling housing market has left some buyers with mortgages that can't cover the full cost of their home following an appraisal. Toronto-based mortgage broker Mary Sialtsis discusses what options these buyers have.