C
Business
onnections March 2014
Engineering Month in Orangeville
Volume 5
Issue 2
Company Profile
Criterium-Jansen Engineers Professional, honest, thorough and committed are words that describe many of our Orangevillebased business leaders, and local entrepreneur Henry Jansen is no exception. Owner of CriteriumJansen Engineers, Mr. Jansen opened his business in Orangeville in 2007 and has grown it steadily over the past seven years. Councillors Mary Rose and Gail Campbell paid tribute to Orangeville’s engineering sector as they proclaimed March 2014 “Engineering Month in Orangeville.” The proclamation cites engineering as an important sector of our local economy and celebrates the spirit of research and innovation that engineers contribute to our community. From left are Manager of Operations and Development John Lackey, Councillor Campbell, Councillor Rose, Manager of Environmental Services Heather McGinnity,and Public Works Director Doug Jones.
High Growth in the PST Sector The professional, scientific and technical sector (PST) is an increasingly important component of our economy. The sector, composed of positions that include accountants, engineers, surveyors, architects, consultants, research and development specialists, and graphic designers, achieved its highest job levels ever in Canada in 2013. According to the Conference Board of Canada, the PST sector has created 141,000 jobs since July 2009, representing 14% of all new jobs created in the same time span. Research compiled for the Globe and Mail by Statistics Canada also supports this strong growth trend, and indicates that total employment in the PST sector has grown from 4.9% two decades ago to 7.6%. Jobs in the PST sector often require higher levels of education, but also provide higher than average levels of income. In fact, the Conference Board of Canada indicates that weekly wages in the PST sector pay, on average, 34% more than the national average. Studies indicate that jobs within this sector also appear to be more recession proof. In Canada, employment in the PST sector didn’t decline as much during the recession, and rebound from the recession has been stronger and quicker than that of overall employment. Service jobs account for 78.1% of total employment in Canada and the PST sector is now the fourth largest sector by employment, while the goods producing side of our economy has shrunk to 21.9% of total employment. Ontario is one of three provinces with the highest levels of growth in the PST sector. With strong job growth prospects, an increasing trend towards outsourcing professional services, and a broad range of opportunities in the sector, it is important to acknowledge this growing component of our economy. Improving technology and communications systems, along with higher quality of life benefits have helped to keep this sector strong locally and Orangeville celebrates its professional service workers.
orangevillebusiness.ca
Criterium-Jansen Engineers is an engineering firm that specializes in all aspects of building evaluation services for commercial, industrial and residential properties. Henry Jansen Serving the Greater Toronto Area from its Orangeville location, this engineering firm stays current by implementing a flexible approach and diverse services that include building and structural inspections, property condition assessments, building maintenance plans, and customized design work and retrofits. When Mr. Jansen decided to start his own venture, he chose to return to his home town of Orangeville partially due to its central location in southwestern Ontario. “Criterium-Jansen serves all of the GTA region, so it is important to be in close proximity to my customer base,” says Mr. Jansen. “Orangeville feels like home and yet I’m no more than an hour away from any of my clients.” Criterium Engineers is the oldest organization of licensed Professional Engineers in North America specializing in commercial real estate consulting services and home/building inspection, and as an affiliated office, Mr. Jansen has a well-established appreciation for a strong business model. Specialized and exemplary services, sound judgment, and continuous improvement are values that drive Criterium-Jansen and have made the Orangeville community such a good fit. “I have been able to establish strong partnerships and alliances in the local community. Most of my colleagues share similar values and this makes for positive business-to-business relationships.” The Town of Orangeville salutes the hard work and innovation of all of its engineering firms and recognizes the significance of this important sector to our local economy. Learn more about Criterium-Jansen at www.criterium-jansen.com.
Connect with Business. Connect with Life.
In The News
Things To Know 2014 Summer Company Program
Business trends to watch for in 2014
The Orangeville & Area SBEC will once again partner with the Province of Ontario to deliver the 2014 Summer Company Program. Summer Company provides students with training, mentorship and awards of up to $3000 to help them start and run their own summer businesses. The program is open to students aged 15 to 29 who are returning to school in the fall and provides a great opportunity to develop entrepreneurial skills while making money at the same time. Students can apply for the program by visiting www.ontario.ca/summercompany or calling the SBEC office at 519-941-0440 Ext. 2291.
Orangeville Farmers’ Market As follow up to a successful debut winter season, Orangeville’s popular outdoor Farmers’ Market will open on May 10, 2014. Located right outside Town Hall on Second Street, opening day will feature a free pancake breakfast along with fresh produce, locally raised meats, baked goods, unique crafts and more. Rain or shine, the market will operate outdoors from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. from May 10 to October 25. The Orangeville Farmers’ Market provides a great way to support our local farmers.
A Taste of Maple This new event will take place from March 28 to April 13, 2014 at locations across the Hills of Headwaters region and will feature a maple syrup trail with creative and inspiring product offerings from our local businesses and maple syrup producers. To find out how you can participate, visit www.thehillsofheadwaters.com/ explore/culinary/a-taste-of-maple.
The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) recently published a study that identified five trends that are shaping consumer spending, and in turn, creating opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses in Canada. Although these ideas may not come as a surprise, they do provide an opportunity for small business owners to think about ways in which they can innovate, change or expand their product or service offerings to remain competitive. Influence of the Internet The BDC study indicated that 84% of the population is now connected to the Internet and that it is increasingly used as a decision-making tool. Internet-based purchases are growing, with more Canadians beginning the purchasing decision process online – comparing offerings and prices and reading online reviews. Therefore, businesses need to provide lots of detailed information and engage customers online. Poorly designed websites create opportunities not only for web service providers but also for retailers who want to increase their market share. Growing Health Awareness The BDC study identified that by 2031, 25% of the Canadian population will be over 65 years of age and these consumers increasingly want products and services that promote health and well-being. This population is looking for fresh food, green products, health monitoring aids and devices, ergonomic office furniture, etc. Health-based tourism is also on the rise with a growing demand for active vacations, spas, and customized menus that cater to special diets or eating habits. Businesses that can tap into the growing health concerns will do well. Buying Local Social, environmental and economic concerns are also having greater influence on purchasing decisions. Consumers are looking for better quality, more sustainable and ethical companies to deal with, and they are spending more time researching the background of a company’s social and environmental practices. Consumers are more aware of the influence that they can have on their own local economy and on job creation by supporting local businesses. In fact, 97% of the study participants indicated that they wish to buy locally or Canadian made goods to help sustain and grow local businesses. Entrepreneurs can capitalize on this trend by broadcasting any local or Canadian features that create added value in terms of health, ethical or environmental benefits. Customization Today, customers are looking for solutions to fit their specific needs and the appeal for mass produced items is declining. The trend towards customization provides smaller, more flexible entrepreneurs with the opportunity to better compete with large, multi-national chains by creating unique offerings and tailored services. Bigger businesses may also be able to address this trend by expanding their product or service lines and ensuring that they are offering ‘something for everyone’. Recession Wariness The fifth trend indicated that Canadians appear to be uncertain about their economic prospects and are spending more cautiously. Seven out of 10 Canadian consumers advised that they have reduced their spending, they want better quality at lower prices. Business owners who can respond to this demand with promotions such as downloadable coupons or group coupons will fare well. For more information, review the full BDC report, “5 Must-Watch Trends Shaping the Future of Canadian Business” at www.bdc.ca.
Real Estate Featured Listing
Upcoming Events
Northwest Corner C Line and Centennial Road
Incorporating Your Business • March 20, 9 a.m.
More than 5 acres of shovel-ready industrial land available for sale. 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.
Discover what’s involved in incorporating your business from both a legal and accounting perspective. Carey Allen from Stutz, Brown & Self LLP, along with Melissa Vinden from BDO Canada LLP, will provide their insights into the advantages and disadvantages of incorporating, when and where to incorporate, the costs associated with incorporating, and the process of incorporation. Free.
Understanding WSIB • April 2, 9 a.m. A representative from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) will provide business owners with an overview of their legal responsibilities under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act and provide information on the new mandatory coverage rules in the construction industry. Participants will learn about their roles and responsibilities, who is required to register, how to register, how rates are calculated, how to file a claim, and how the new mandatory coverage rules in the construction industry affect the clearance certificate process. Free.
Understanding Your Financial Statements • May 13, 9 a.m. Your financial statements can provide you with a wealth of information about your business. In this workshop, Karen Webster, CGA will provide a basic introduction to financial statements and an understanding of the relationship between the balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement. Participants will learn how to track finances and how to plan for the future by creating realistic projections. Free.
orangevillebusiness.ca
87 Broadway, Orangeville, Ontario L9W 1K1 Phone: 519-941-0440 Toll Free: 1-866-941-0440 E-mail: info@orangevillebusiness.ca Twitter: @OrangevilleED You Tube: Orangeville Business Facebook: Orangeville Economic Development & Tourism