C
Business
onnections March 2015
Diverse opportunities in Engineering
A love of science and math, an aptitude for analytical thinking, and strong role models are the common elements cited by three Orangeville engineers when asked what influenced their somewhat unconventional career choices. Heather McGinnity, Julie Darlow, and Diana Wati are three Orangeville-based professional engineers who work in diverse environments, demonstrating the varied opportunities available within this important sector. Ms. McGinnity, Manager of Environmental Services for Jenna Porter, Wastewater Operator and the Town of Orangeville, oversees a staff of technicians Heather McGinnity, Manager of Environmental Services for the Town of and operators and is responsible for the community’s water system. Her extensive experience in civil and Orangeville, inspect equipment at one of the Town’s facilities. environmental engineering has resulted in a rewarding career within the municipal Public Works Department. “Engineers are not on people’s radar until something goes wrong,” says Ms. McGinnity. “But everyone’s daily activities rely heavily on the work of engineers in all areas of community life and municipal infrastructure.” Julie Darlow is a Project Engineer at R.J. Burnside and Associates who is passionate about her chosen vocation and the engineering projects she has been involved in from inception to implementation -- many in small, rural communities that rely on her expertise to establish safe water systems. The capacity to help shape local communities while protecting the natural environment helped attract her to the field. “As part of the team working on safe water systems in remote First Nation communities, I bring considerable expertise to the table and feel that I am making an important contribution,” says Ms. Darlow. Diana Wati is the sole engineer at Orangeville’s PolyOne Corporation and is responsible for process improvements in the plastics manufacturing plant. As part of the management team, she works with colleagues across the multinational organization and credits her engineering father, as well as Canadian engineer and astronaut, Julie Payette, as influencing her career choice. With strong employment growth prospects and diverse opportunities for specialization, Ms. Wati encourages youth to examine options in engineering and its related occupations. While the participation rate of licensed female engineers in Canada remains low at 10%, trends do appear to be shifting. In 2014, women accounted for approximately 30% of first year students enrolled in engineering programs at the University of Toronto. Says Ms. McGinnity, “I think it’s a little more challenging for a female manager to be accepted in this field. But that is changing as women take on more leadership roles in engineering environments.” These three Orangeville professionals are strong female role models in the field of engineering. They are making a lasting impact in their working environments and on youth considering engineering as a career option.
Engineering Month in Orangeville Julie Darlow, Professional Engineer with R.J. Burnsides and Associates, and Heather McGinnity, Manager of Environmental Services for the Town of Orangeville, helped Councillor Nick Garisto proclaim March as Engineering Month in Orangeville.
orangevillebusiness.ca
Volume 6
Issue 2
Company Profile
Orangeville welcomes new manufacturing business
Quality Cheese Inc. Orangeville will be the site of a new manufacturing location for Quality Cheese Inc., a Vaughan-based, award-winning Canadian cheese manufacturer. Quality Cheese Inc. has purchased the facility at 40 Centennial Road in Orangeville and took possession in early March 2015. Following a number of interior renovations, the plant will initially employ approximately 20 people, with future expansion plans that could triple that workforce. The new Orangeville location will mark an expansion of the enterprise. “We are very excited about expanding our operations and opening a facility in Orangeville,” said Quality Cheese Director of Operations Joe Borgo. “The Orangeville plant is ideally located in proximity to our milk suppliers and is well-appointed to support our future expansion plans.” With historical roots in the local area, the Orangeville location was a natural choice for Quality Cheese Inc. After making cheese with his own father in the mountains of Asiago, Italy, Almerigo Borgo immigrated to Canada and started his cheese production business just outside of Orangeville in 1957. Working with local dairy farmers and the Orangeville-based dairy, Mr. Borgo grew the business with an unwavering commitment to hard work and the production of quality products. Today, the fourth-generation family business is located in Vaughan, Ontario, and is managed by Almerigo’s three sons, William, Albert, and Joe. Quality Cheese manufactures over a dozen specialty cheeses under its own Bella Casara and Albert’s Leap brands as well as other food brands. Commitment to hard work and quality product remains evident in the high level of enthusiasm in the current generation of Borgo owners. By blending traditional recipes with contemporary manufacturing processes to create authentic and innovative products, the business has continued to flourish. Among its many awards and accolades, Quality Cheese Inc. won two firsts in the very prestigious, biennial Canadian Grand Prix Competition, winning both the Grand Champion and the best-inshow titles for excellence -- the first time an Ontario-based cheese manufacturer has won since the competition began in 1998. “Orangeville is a perfect place for premium quality food production facilities like this. Quality Cheese’s new Orangeville location ideally places them between rural Ontario’s agricultural production and the greater Toronto area market. Their location is also well situated to access the entire North American market,” said Mayor Jeremy Williams. “Orangeville is greatly looking forward to having the Borgo family’s cheese making expertise return here. We look forward to their continued success.” Learn more about where you can purchase Quality Cheese products by visiting www.qualitycheese.com.
Connect with Business. Connect with Life.
Things To Know
In The News
2015 Summer Company Program The Summer Company Program provides students between the ages of 15 and 29 with exciting opportunities to explore entrepreneurship first hand. Qualifying students receive business-related training, hands-on coaching, and awards of up to $3,000 to help them launch and run their own summer companies. Applications for the 2015 Summer Company Program are now being accepted. For more information, visit www.ontario.ca/summercompany or contact the Orangeville & Area SBEC at 519-941-0440 Ext. 2270.
Orangeville Farmers’ Market Opening Beginning May 9, the Orangeville Farmers’ Market will return to its outdoor location at Town Hall and be open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stop by for opening day celebrations which will include a petting zoo, face painting, and a free pancake breakfast courtesy of Orangeville Insurance. Vendor applications for the Market are now being accepted and all interested vendors can apply online by completing the vendor application found at www.orangevillefarmersmarket. downtownorangeville.ca. Please note that the market is actively seeking vendors producing artisan cheeses.
Headwaters: A Taste of Maple Spring is super sweet in Headwaters! Once again, restaurants and businesses across the Headwaters region will celebrate all things maple during Headwaters: A Taste of Maple. From March 13 to April 12, participating restaurants will offer special desserts, savouries, and prix fixe meals to delight your taste buds. Other offerings include the Maple Syrup Festival, maple cooking classes, maple themed art displays, and more, visit www.thehillsofheadwaters.com/ explore/culinary/a-taste-of-maple.
Real Estate - Featured Listing Northwest Corner C Line and Centennial Road Build on this prime industrial lot and join other successful manufacturers in Orangeville. Located at the northwest corner of Centennial Road and C Line, the land is close to the Orangeville bypass and is zoned M-1 for general industrial uses. The lot size is 2.087 ha (5.156 ac) and can be severed into two or three smaller parcels. The current asking price for the land is $215,000.00 per acre. Interested buyers should contact Ruth Phillips, Manager of Economic Development, Town of Orangeville at 519-941-0440 Ext. 2291 or by email at rphillips@orangeville.ca.
Mayor Jeremy Williams brought greetings to a sold out crowd at the Food Entrepreneurship event.
Food Entrepreneurship event inspires Dufferin County business owners Passion and persistence were the key ingredients required to grow one local entrepreneur’s business from a small, home-based operation in Dufferin County to the largest and leading goat cheese manufacturer in North America. On Wednesday, February 25, Tony Dutra, owner of Woolwich Dairy Inc., inspired other food entrepreneurs with his close-to-home business success story at the Food Entrepreneurs: Preserving our Heritage, Creating Our Future event. Over 180 current and prospective food entrepreneurs attended the sold-out event to learn the recipe for success from Mr. Dutra, along with other business experts and successful food entrepreneurs. The seminar was the first of its kind in Dufferin County and brought together local food and beverage entrepreneurs and producers to share new ideas and learn tips and techniques for cultivating a successful food business. In addition to the educational offerings, the event included a showcase market of over 20 local food and beverage vendors who had the opportunity to exhibit their products and offer delicious samples. Some of the local businesses on display included Hockley Valley Brewing Co., The Chocolate Shop, Wicked Shortbread and Leitch’s Honey. The showcase provided great networking opportunities and valuable connections were made. The seminar was hosted by Georgian College’s Orangeville campus, in partnership with the Town of Orangeville’s Economic Development Office, the Orangeville & Area Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC), Dufferin.biz, Headwaters Communities in Action, Headwaters Food and Farming Alliance, and the Orangeville BIA. The event was part of the SBEC’s commitment to fostering local food businesses and entrepreneurs.
Upcoming Events Dufferin Young Professionals • April 9, 6:15 p.m., Mill Creek Pub Rodney Hough, owner of Small Business Mastery, will present “Keys to Growing Your Business with Ease.” This learning/networking event will provide Dufferin area young professionals and entrepreneurs with the opportunity to connect in a relaxed setting while learning about how to maximize profits and minimize stress. Register online at www.gdacc.ca. Free.
Risk Management for Small Business • April 16, 9 a.m. Charles McCabe, local business development and risk management consultant, and Dave Proctor, of Utility Financial Concepts Inc., will discuss the importance of risk management to the long-term viability and profitability of a business. This session will help entrepreneurs learn how to identify areas of risk within their own businesses and examine ways to address areas of concern. $10 + HST.
Starting a Small Business • April 28, 9 a.m. In this session participants will learn about what is involved in starting a small business in Ontario, why a business plan is so important, and what is involved in developing a successful business plan. This workshop will answer many start-up questions and provide participants with the tools needed to begin working on their own “road maps” to success. $20 + HST.
Buying a Business/Franchise • May 13, 9 a.m. Gerry Hogenhout of Hogenhout and Associates will explain the process involved in purchasing an existing business or franchise. He will discuss the pros and cons of buying a business as opposed to starting a new one, explain how to recognize a viable business, and outline strategies to put in place to ensure a successful transition. Participants will learn how to avoid disappointment and increase their chances of success. $10 + HST. Register online for these events at www.orangevillebusiness.ca.
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