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Manitoba Business Profile 2015 Edition

MANITOBA BUSINESS PROFILE INDEX Burron Lumber ..................................................................................................................................................... 2 DASCH ........................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Duraco Windows ................................................................................................................................................ 6 Emergent Biosolutions ................................................................................................................................ 8

Dining Specialties Wine Rooms Special Events Catering

Emterra Environmental ............................................................................................................................10 Kelburn Estates .................................................................................................................................................12 Linden Market Dental Centre.............................................................................................................14 Mackow Industries ........................................................................................................................................16 Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries ...............................................................................................................18 MHC Ergonomics and Occupational Therapy ...................................................................20 NYGÅRD International...............................................................................................................................22 Palomino Club ...................................................................................................................................................24 Plaza Premium Lounge.............................................................................................................................26 Pony Corral Restaurant & Bar .............................................................................................................30 Princess Auto.......................................................................................................................................................32 RBC Convention Centre ............................................................................................................................34 Red River Cooperative Ltd. ...................................................................................................................36 Reflections Dental .........................................................................................................................................38 RBC Royal Bank .................................................................................................................................................40 Sarte Heating & Cooling ..........................................................................................................................42 The Unexpected Gift ...................................................................................................................................44 Vector Construction .....................................................................................................................................46 Village Orthodontics ..................................................................................................................................48 Western Marble Granite & Tile ..........................................................................................................50 Wildlife Haven ....................................................................................................................................................52 Ziesmann Cosmetic Clinic......................................................................................................................54 Crown Royal .........................................................................................................................................................56

CO N T R I B U TO R S WINNIPEG SUN Daria Zmiyiwsky MANAGING EDITOR Bonny Brennan PHOTOGRAPHERS Grant Ball Photography Brook Jones

185 Lombard Avenue | Winnipeg, MB Tel: 204-944-1180 www.baileysprimedining.com

Bailey’s is committed to the personal touch. Call us to book reservations.

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Michelle Bailey Glen Dawkins Brook Jones Sherry Kaniuga Doug Lunney Mike Miguez Katherine Page

Dear Readers, Welcome to the 2015 Manitoba Business Profile magazine, a publication showcasing Manitoba Business Excellence. Manitoba is a fabulous province and home to many successful businesses and entrepreneurs. Our city and province have enjoyed remarkable economic growth with new and innovative business start-ups. You will be inspired by the stories of success and innovation this magazine has to offer. Contained in the following pages is a selection of individuals who have made Manitoba their home and, in doing so, have embraced Winnipeg and its business community. These individuals have found a way to leverage all that our province has to offer and become successful in their own chosen fields. Success comes in many forms and has many definitions. Our belief is that success is defined not only by the individual, but also by markets, peers and competition. Each of the individuals profiled meets that characteristic. Successful people have an energy about them that is contagious. We felt their energy and their commitment to their businesses and we put this publication together. Our hope is that you feel the same energy and pride as you read this publication. Congratulations to the individuals profiled and enjoy this year’s edition. Warmest regards,

DESIGN Ken Waterman Design MANITOBA BUSINESS PROFILE A special advertising publication printed by the Winnipeg Sun Commercial Print Division

Daria Zmiyiwsky Winnipeg Sun

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Kim Burron President Burron Lumber

Burron Lumber A family tradition for 40 years

Mission Statement: Burron endeavours to continue the tradition of supplying quality home building products and service that has been our corporate trademark since 1976. We bring the care and longevity of a family business to your family. That means going the distance with each customer to build the kind of relationship that adds to our family. We treat our customers with the same principles the business was built on: fairness and consideration. We strive to always take the high ground and do what’s best to make satisfaction a natural by-product of every interaction. We believe each person is special; special enough to give to each person exactly what we would expect to receive in return. Specifically, to ultimately show care and commitment, and do it with consistency. At Burron, this is how we bring the business to our customers and individualize it for each person that enters our door. Welcome home. By Glen Dawkins

It was always Kim Burron’s dream to sit in her father’s chair as the head of the family business. But there was a time that she really wanted a different job: driving the forklift. “When I was young, I would be sitting on a lift of lumber watching my dad work,” recalled the 48-year-old who started work at the business when she was 14. “I thought he was the coolest guy because he could drive the forklift. “From a kid’s perspective, you knew you were in charge when you could drive the forklift.” From her humble beginnings selling waterbeds, Kim rose to the top of the family business, which specializes in offering quality home building products and service at a price that rivals their competitors. “I’ve held virtually every position in the business,” she said. “It taught me all the ins and outs of the business and how to build a relationship with each customer like family.” Her father Ray Burron began the business – called Burron Lumber - with building materials and later introduced mattresses and waterbeds. Over the years, he added shingles, windows and doors and began offering installation service. Their location on 911 Lagimodiere Blvd., has been a famous Winnipeg landmark since its opening in 1976. Burron supplies roofing, windows, doors, siding, flooring and beds to customers, contractors, and do-it-yourselfers, alike. They carry the largest in-stock selection of windows in the city. “Our main business is people who like to do things for themselves or those who’d like us to do it for them,” said Kim, who took over the business following Ray’s death last December. Ray began selling lumber from a small makeshift counter in the corner of one of the garages on the property. He built a large store and expanded the business to include furniture, appliances, waterbeds and mattresses. The company later reduced the household stock to mattresses and waterbeds, and added shingles, windows and doors to the building supply side and began offering installation service. “My dad understood the need to re-evaluate and change products with the times. He stayed ahead of the curve and always taught me to never be complacent,” said Kim. Realizing there is a need for better customer care, Kim

MANITOBA BUSINESS PROFILE • 2015

likes to make herself personally available and takes time to get to know the people who walk through their door. She believes that each person is special: special enough to

As a business family, we intend to support each other through the growing pains give to each one exactly what she would expect to receive in return. Specifically, she wants to show she cares and listens to her customers’ needs. Everyone matters! While maintaining the values passed down from her father, Kim also strives to continue to modernize the company, upgrade and grow it, and she is supported in her position by a loyal staff that she considers part of the family. “They’ve been very good to me and I appreciate that,” said Kim. “It’s very hard to find people who will stand by you and treat your company like their own.” After high school, Kim attended Bible school in Montreal and then returned to Winnipeg to study at university while continuing her hands-on experience at Burron. She continues to gain strength from her religious beliefs which she shares with her family and employees. Family values are a huge factor in her life. With Kim’s faith in Godly principles and with the support of her family and employees, she feels confident about Burron’s future. In the spring, she will be ordained as a minister. “As a business family, we intend to support each other through the growing pains,” said Kim. “We have a strong commitment to taking the high ground and providing solutions to make satisfaction a natural by-product of our actions.” Burron will celebrate their 40th anniversary next year and have planned a series of promotions to mark the occasion. “God willing, we’re going to be here for a long time.”

BURRON’S 911 Lagimodière Blvd 204 -235-0700 www.burron.ca

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Karen Fonseth Chief Executive Officer DASCH

DASCH continuing to develop a culture of caring By Brook Jones

DASCH has come a long way since its early beginnings in 1974 and has dramatically grown during the past decade. The Winnipeg based organization continues to provide community-based services for people living with intellectual disabilities, such as residential services, day supports and specialized services. DASCH helps hundreds of clients with skill-building, respite and day services. During the past decade and a half under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Karen Fonseth, DASCH has grown from 10 residential homes to 50, which has resulted in staff increase from 59 to nearly 800. Fonseth said the key to managing rapid growth is to have a solid foundation and organizational substructure in place. If expansion occurs too quickly with a weak substructure, problems will arise. She said in order to maintain and support our growth; DASCH has had the right people in place to develop the programming needed to support not only their clients, but also the staff with the proper training to ensure success. “Unfortunately high front-line turnover continues to be a significant struggle for the organization” said Fonseth “On a positive note however, we do have a number of long term staff in key positions.” said Fonseth When you are able to retain long term quality staff, your knowledge base expands as do the relationships with the people we support. This combined with a core belief in what you as a human being can do to contribute to the our society gives you the key to success, particularly in an organization like DASCH,” said Fonseth. DASCH is the largest specialized provider of independent living in Manitoba. Fonseth said that in order to run a successful organization like DASCH there (needs to be) a family based culture between the leadership team and the hundreds of staff members. “We have a very strong long-term leadership team” said Fonseth. A CEO is nothing without the team surrounding him or her. We also have a highly qualified and committed Board of Directors who volunteer their time on a limitless basis.” Everyone involved has through dedication, determination, hard work and frankly old-fashioned family values has created a culture that is embodied throughout the entire organization. explained Fonseth. “It’s a family based culture. Caring about the people we support. Caring about the families and caring about the community.” She said the best way DASCH supports its 300 clients is by understanding what makes people with intellectual disabilities most happy in life and learning what their aspirations are. Understanding their needs results in DASCH putting together individualized plans for all of its clients. “It’s understanding what that person want to do. Society has for so many generations not really been interested in and sadly ‘warehoused’ people with intellectual disabilities,”

MANITOBA BUSINESS PROFILE • 2015

noted Fonseth. “And it’s about understanding their individual needs and figuring out a way to communicate with them because some people may be nonverbal. Once you can figure out how to communicate, then you can figure out what they want to do and what makes them fulfilled. Some can work towards employment and some can work towards learning how to read -- it can be as basic as that. Fulfillment

Dealing with my emotions is the most demanding aspect of my autism, but it’s also the most rewarding means something different to everyone.” The organization prides itself on providing well-maintained houses in various neighborhoods in Winnipeg. These locations are not simply houses, they are homes to the people who are receiving support. Fonseth said DASCH would not be able to do what they do for their clients without the support from the Department of Family Services. “Funding is continually tight and only getting tighter. We need to continue to do more with less and less. But we’ve managed it.” Thirty-one-year-old Philip Bialk, who has been a client with DASCH for the past nine years, has been a resident at one of the houses provided by the organization since 2009. He shares the home with three others. Bialk said DASCH has enabled him to attain independent living, which allows him to live with people who share similar challenges in life as he does. “Dealing with my emotions is the most demanding aspect of my autism, but it’s also the most rewarding,” Bialk said. “I have a friend in a DASCH house who I have been friends with for 16 years and another friend in a DASCH house who I have been friends with for 12 years.” The Grant Park High School grad was recently involved with the DASCH Recognition Luncheon as he volunteered as the auctioneer. The major fundraiser raised as much as $75,000.

www.dasch.mb.ca

(Left to right) Nancy, Brian, Karen, Philip, Karen

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Matthew Guberman, President, Duraco Windows

Duraco Windows By Ally Beauchesne

Matthew Guberman is the guy that liked his new windows so much, he bought the company. In 2005 after selling his shares in a business he had started twenty years earlier he decided to do some renovations including replacing all of the windows in his home with Duraco Windows. He was so impressed by the quality of the windows and installation that he contacted the then owner and ended up buying the company. Since 1965 Duraco Windows has manufactured the highest quality PVC windows and doors for the residential market. Always a leader, Duraco, in 1972 became the first company in Canada to fusion weld PVC window frames. Since then Duraco has continuously invested in the most state of the art equipment and components in order to produce the most state of the art windows available anywhere. “When we couldn’t find the manufacturing equipment we needed to ensure perfect accuracy for hardware location and placement we invented and built our own robot for this purpose,” recalls Guberman. Duraco now utilizes robot technology which is accurate to less than half a millimeter. In 2008, after a few years of rapid growth Duraco was running out of space at their manufacturing facility so they acquired Storm-Tite Windows and Doors and merged the two companies into their current 70,000 square foot facility in Winnipeg’s Inkster Industrial Park. Just last year Duraco acquired another Winnipeg window company, Dominion Windows and Doors adding Dominion’s outstanding product line to their offering. What separates Duraco from their competitors? “Well”, according to Guberman, “we could go on and on about all of the little things we do better from product sourcing to the manufacturing and quality control process, to the attention of our customer satisfaction team right through to the final installation by our own certified window and door installer but what it really comes down to is that everyone in our organization is focused on providing the ultimate renovation experience to all of our customers.” Another unique Duraco difference is their Unlimited Lifetime Warranty. “Our belief that we make the best windows and doors available anywhere and we install them to standards far exceeding accepted industry practices led us to develop the best warranty offered anywhere,” says Guberman. “When you choose Duraco for your new windows and doors we back them with the only true Unlimited Lifetime Warranty which means you’ll never pay a cent to repair you Duraco windows and doors for as long as you own them.” Another source of pride for Guberman, and there doesn’t seem to be any end of them, is their installation teams. “Just like all of our 200 employees, all of our window and door installers are company employees. Unlike other companies we don’t sub out installation work to sub-contractors,” states Guber-

man. This ensures that everyone who works in their customers’ homes and buildings are carefully screened, selected, trained and certified by Duraco. “With sub-contractors you just have no control over who is working in your customers’ homes and we’re just not okay with that kind of service.” In addition to all of their hard work in the window and door business, Duraco is also busy in the community. “We believe in giving back to the communities that have supported us over the years and that it is our responsibility as a company to help support those in our community who are less fortunate than us.” Duraco donated the windows for Variety’s Camp Brereton and

Just like all of our 200 employees, all of our window and door installers are company employees. Unlike other companies we don’t sub out installation work to sub-contractors has almost completed a program where they helped raise funds and awareness along with donating a third of the windows and doors for the fifty-four houses operated by DASCH. Duraco supports many other charities such as the children’s charities, the Dream Factory, Hope’s Home and Ronald McDonald House as well as Change for the Better, which supports long-term solutions to homelessness, Cancer Care and the Children’s Hospital Foundation to name a few. With happy Duraco customers throughout western Canada and as far away as Bahamas, Hawaii and Japan the future looks bright for Duraco Windows.

90 Hutchings Street 204-222-3388 duraco.ca

MANITOBA BUSINESS PROFILE • 2015

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Emergent Biosolutions By Sherry Kaniuga

It is extremely appropriate that the local operations of Emergent BioSolutions can be found on Innovation Drive. The main street in the University of Manitoba’s Smartpark Research & Technology Park is home to a number of successful, innovative companies, and Emergent is no exception. The global specialty biopharmaceutical company has been part of Winnipeg’s pharmaceutical research and development landscape since acquiring Cangene Corporation in early 2014. Emergent produces and markets pharmaceuticals such as Anthrax vaccines and treatments for botulism and smallpox (part of its Biodefense portfolio of medical countermeasure products for civilians and military that address intentional and naturally emerging public health threats), and treatments for diseases like hepatitis, hemophilia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and a type of prostate cancer (under the Biosciences division, which sells mainly to hospitals). “Winnipeg is a full-service bio-pharmaceutical site, meaning we do all the research and development, manufacturing and distribution of our own products,” says Mark Lobe, Emergent’s Vice President & General Manager for the Winnipeg site, where hyper immune products are made by developing raw material from human plasma and finding concentrated human antibodies for a specific target. “We really are ‘cradle to grave’ – we take a product from nothing, from just an idea, and develop it all the way through to manufacturing and distributing it across the world.” While Emergent, which is headquartered in Maryland, is fairly new to Canada, it has a long history tied to Winnipeg through Cangene, which had been part of the industry here since 1984. The ties go back even further to 1968, when two local doctors developed WinRho® SDF, which is still sold worldwide to help prevent two conditions: the potentially fatal hemolytic disease of the newborn, and idiopathic (or immune) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Emergent is committed to continuing to develop products that help people, with a mission of ‘protecting and enhancing 50 million lives by 2025.’ “The fundamental science we use today is really the same as what was discovered back in the 1960s. Of course there have been enhancements as regulations have heightened, plus additional processing and testing steps we need to do now,” says Lobe, who moved to Manitoba from Montreal with his young family to work in the pharmaceutical industry in 2008, and now considers himself a true Winnipegger. He credits the 350 local Emergent staff in part for this positive impression. “It’s a highly skilled, energetic, innovative and collaborative culture. I’m always amazed at just how intelligent our people are, and how we can continue to take on new projects, new challenges, and always find a way to persevere.”

The Winnipeg staff have also needed to be adaptable to change. The company announced in August its plan to spin off its Biosciences section into a separate, stand-alone company next year, based in Seattle, to provide novel oncology and hematology therapeutics. The plan, Lobe explains, will see the Winnipeg staff remain here but switch to working primarily on the Biodefense side, which will be Emergent’s main focus. In the meantime, it’s business as usual – and business is good. Over the last 18 months, Emergent has brought four new products to market, including a new hemophilia drug called IXINITY®. In 2016 the Winnipeg site will also begin manufac-

We take a product from nothing, from just an idea, and develop it all the way through to manufacturing and distributing it across the world. turing a skin decontamination lotion for use by government agencies such as military and first responders. “Emergent is showing a clear focus on wanting to target the emerging and infectious disease market. I think this is going to give Winnipeg an additional focus, and people are excited about that,” Lobe says. One thing he says likely won’t change is the employees’ pride in their Winnipeg history and in developing products that are being sold around the world. “I don’t think many Canadians realize what a success story we’ve been,” he says. “Emergent is a fast-growing company, and Winnipeg is really playing an active role in supporting the growth. Our people are just phenomenal, and I learn from them every day.”

Pictured above from left to right:

155 Innovation Drive emergentbiosolutions.com

MANITOBA BUSINESS PROFILE • 2015

John Wallis Garth Waddell Durga Liske Angela Dyer Hugh Price Absent:

Jeff Broadfoot

Jeannette Rosolowich Gerry Bazin Mark Lobe Ashley Wozniak Derek Toth

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Emmie Leung Founder & CEO Emterra Group

Emterra Group Founder continuing her passion for recycling Emmie Leung has an entrepreneurial spirit, the stamina of an energizer bunny and a passion for zero waste. She’s a CEO who founded, and grew, a group of waste resource companies, including recycling, into a Canadian leader. And the idea sprouted roots right here in Manitoba. Leung’s Emterra Group provides collection services for about 10% of Canada’s population, operating 15 recycling processing plants, (called material recovery facilities or MRFs), a used tire recycling plant and a waste liquids processing plant in four provinces – British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. Five of the MRFs are state-of-the-art ‘single stream’ facilities, processing paper and container recyclables collected in a single bin without needing to sort. Family owned and operated, Emterra has been a member of the Manitoba business community since 2002 when it built a MRF in Winnipeg to process recyclables recovered in the city’s original blue boxes. Winning a new contract in 2012 to provide residential garbage, yard waste and bulky waste collection in addition to recycling collection and processing prompted Leung to invest $23 million in the province including upgrading the MRF, constructing a compressed natural gas (CNG) fuelling station and acquiring a fleet of new CNG collection trucks capable of mechanically lifting residents’ rollout carts. “We’re deeply invested in Manitoba’s economic, environmental and social well-being,” Leung said, adding her company wants to help their customers – Winnipeg and the surrounding Rural Municipalities of Macdonald, Springfield, West St. Paul, Ritchot and Cartier – become more livable communities. The MRF upgrade involved installing the best-of-its-kind, energy efficient processing equipment, including European optical sorters that improve processed material quality, making the Winnipeg facility one of the most technologically-advanced in Canada. CNG trucks cut Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by about 20% per truck. Over the contract life, trucks emissions will reduce by about 3,000 tonnes, contributing to Winnipeg’s emissions target. “We pioneered running CNG-fuelled trucks in an extreme cold weather climate here in Manitoba,” Leung said, adding it led to a cutting edge strategy to establish a network of three more CNG fuelling stations that are open to other fleet owners and operators to help them make their operations more competitive and sustainable. While Leung makes her home in North Vancouver, she took her first steps on Canadian soil in Winnipeg, where as a student from China she earned a business administration degree from the University of Manitoba. “I didn’t know my path then, but I knew I wanted to do something big, not be stuck at home or in a mundane office job,” she chuckled. That’s when the big idea happened. As she walked around her Winnipeg neighbourhood one day,

she noticed old newspapers and cardboard waiting for garbage pickup. From her childhood in China, she knew markets for these materials existed overseas. But to make it work economically, the business had to be in Vancouver. Leung established International Paper Industries, the forerunner of Emterra. She wanted to bid on a contract to provide residential recycling services in the three North Shore communities but couldn’t afford to provide blue boxes. So in the spirit of innovation that has won her numerous prestigious business and environmental awards over her 40 year career, she proposed reusable blue bags that could offer the same service at lower cost. Many BC

We’re deeply invested in Manitoba’s economic, environmental and social well-being municipalities still use the blue bag system today. “They called me the ‘bag lady’ and I was proud of it,” she said, beaming. Leung says Manitobans want to be environmentally responsible, noting that once the Winnipeg blue cart program started, residential recycling increased by 20%. She wants more waste management programs to draw additional resources away from landfill, including food waste programs that convert organics into fertile compost. “Forty per cent of garbage is compostable food,” she said. “It doesn’t belong in landfill.” Her concern about the environment and community well-being is one reason Emterra helps programs that advance environmental and social sustainability. Among them are The Winnipeg Repair Education & Cycling Hub (The WRENCH), which reconditions discarded bicycles for less fortunate youth and, through a donation of $60,000 over three years, Emterra is enabling Winnipeg Harvest to expand their community gardens, feeding more people in need. Forever grateful for the warmth and kindnesses Manitobans showed her when she was a young student, she looks for ways to give back, like supporting diverse employment practices, particularly helping visible minorities find jobs and progress in their careers. In fact, 61% of Emterra’s Winnipeg workforce identify themselves as a visible minority. In recognition, in 2013 the Manitoba Filipino Business Council named Emterra Employer of the Year.

1029 Henry Avenue 204-772-0770 emterra.ca

MANITOBA BUSINESS PROFILE • 2015

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Kelburn Estates Health and Wellness Retreat By Glen Dawkins

Josephine D’Andrea likes to think of the process of mental health and addiction recovery, like a race. The first lap may be the hardest, but you need to get through it to reach your final goal. “Thirty or 60 days does not a miracle make,” said D’Andrea, the director and founder of Kelburn Estates Health and Wellness Retreat, located on a stunning 45-acre property just five minutes south of Winnipeg off Provincial Highway 75. “It’s a process with the formal recovery program as the first lap – the most important lap – of their journey. It’s the most important lap because together we uncover the causes creating the illness / distresses, and how to finish the recovery race ahead of them.” Kelburn Estates is housed in a 10,000-square-foot executive residential home with bedrooms for 10 guests. The house is an architectural masterpiece designed to relax the senses as you move from one living area to another. The indoor pool, sauna, games room, secluded bedrooms and more. Kelburn Estates has been in the planning and development stage for two years and operating for one year. Over fifteen years ago, D’Andrea was inspired by her personal experience, when she was trying to get treatment for her son. At the time, they ended up going out of province for the multi-faceted help needed under one roof. D’Andrea left a business career to research and develop services in our province to fill the existing gaps and help the middle income and professional demographics. “We can’t be continually sending our brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, mothers and husbands out of province,” she said. “Because then what? When they come back, the continuity is gone. Kelburn Estates also has outdoor facilities starting with a nine-hole PGA standard executive golf course designed by golf course architect David Grant, walking trails for summer and winter. A fully developed clubhouse that is in the process to be winterized for year round use by the Kelburn Estates Alumni. Between their day program, evening program and residential clients, Kelburn Estates can accommodate 24 clients not including single, family and employer one to one sessions. For D’Andrea, the key is getting at what the underlying issues and or traumas are at the root of what caused the client to spiral into depression, anxiety or turn to drugs, alcohol or other destructive behavior for relief. “Statistically all of us go through some form of trauma in our life,” she said. “It’s either one time or accumulative” and while some people are able handle it, for some the difficulties start from there and go forward into a self-harming life.” D’Andrea has amassed a dedicated team of passionate professionals under the direction of senior clinical consultant, Sam Whelan BA, RMFT, CD. “Sam is bar none the best,” she said. His credentials and past

MANITOBA BUSINESS PROFILES • 2015

professional experience encompass, 10 years in the Canadian Military, family therapist at the AFM, a Practicum Supervisor at U of W, Coordinator - Family Therapy Service – Mental Health @ HSC and in Private Psychotherapy Practice. He has ceased or scaled down these areas to be at Kelburn, with me, developing and delivering the trauma-based mental health and addiction services that have helped people coming to Kelburn Estates. Kelburn staff of senior psychiatric nurses (RPN’s, RN’s) and Masters-level therapists deliver the programs and therapy services. In addition to the therapy team, the night persons have 20 years of experience dealing with trauma, crisis and anxieties so that if a person is having a difficult time during the night, they’re able to help them work through the night traumas, get some

We can’t be continually sending our brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, mothers and husbands out of province,” she said. “Because then what? When they come back, the continuity is gone. sleep and be able to be involved in the morning. “I have worked very hard over the past year to put to gether a team that is passionate about being here,” she said. I’m so happy to say that the staff at Kelburn Estates is passionate about the work they do.” While the average time in treatment is four weeks, D’Andrea said she has had clients for a few weeks and others who stayed for 60 days and then continued on with individualized counselling sessions. What are the causes? When did it happen and why did they happen? You have to use all different types of evidence based tools to get at the roots. “I want us to have every possible tool in the toolbox so that we can help the clients with what works for him/ her on their individual journey.” Including the self-help, community and related private resources. D’Andrea states, at kelburn, we strive to provide a multidimensional, evidence based, program which focus equally on the mental health and addiction of the person in search of assistance for his/her illness.

P.O. Box 399, 1293 Kelburn Road St. Adophe, Manitoba R5A 1A0 www.kelburnretreat.com Tel. 204-275-2111

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Dr. Les Rykiss Linden Market Dental Centre

Linden Market Dental Centre Mission Statement: We are a highly motivated dental team that utilizes state of the art dental procedures in a relaxed and friendly environment. We strive to deliver the best professional and personal care for our patients. We exist and continue to grow primarily due to our patients referring their family and friends because of the special care and treatment they encounter both professionally and personally. By Glen Dawkins

It’s safe to say that very few people look forward to a trip to the dentist. It usually ranks right up there with their least favourite things to do. Specializing in family, cosmetic and laser dentistry, Linden Market Dental Centre is working to make those visits as painless as possible. “Right now, I think we’re at our max in terms of technology,” said Dr. Les Rykiss, whose practice celebrated its 20th anniversary on July 4, 2015 and uses the latest dental technology such as the Biolase® iPlus, and Waterlase MD lasers. “We’re already using the latest in lasers, the latest in digital dentistry with digital x-rays and digital technology for making crowns and porcelain fillings and things like that. We talk about a crown in a day and fillings in a day. Something that used to require a lab in between, now we’re doing it in one session.” A graduate of the University of Manitoba College of Dentistry in 1990, Dr. Rykiss worked for another dentist for five years before setting up his own practice. He started doing laser dentistry in 2007 and began doing cosmetic dentistry in 2008. “Esthetic (or cosmetic) dentistry would be doing regular dentistry in an esthetic way, (such as) doing white fillings and crowns and things like that,” said Dr. Rykiss, who earned an Associate Fellowship at the World Clinical Laser Institute (WCLI) in 2007, and attended the Esthetic Epitome Continuum at the Nash Institute for Dental Learning in 2008. Dr. Rykiss has also lectured internationally on laser dentistry and cosmetic dentistry and has written many articles on both topics. “When you talk about cosmetic dentistry, you’re talking about changing a person’s smile.” Dr. Rykiss also earned a fellowship in the International Academy of Dento-Facial Esthetics. “We try to keep on top of everything,” added Dr. Nicole Wotton, who joined the practice in 2014 after graduating from the University of Manitoba in 2013. “It’s an ever-changing field of practice.” From the friendly yet upscale and contemporary decor of the office on Waverley Street to the bright smiles of each of the staff members, Linden Market Dental Centre’s patients always know that they are their top priority. To ensure each patient’s comfort, they even offer TV monitors in the treatment rooms.

But the biggest advantage from all the new technology is that it allows the patients to get all of their work done in one sitting without the need for a return visit. “What’s the benefit of that?” Dr. Rykiss asked. “Number 1, the patient doesn’t have to come back but the most important thing is the contamination issue, the discomfort issue, having a temporary that could fall out, all of those things are eliminated

With laser dentistry, we cut down freezing by 80% because 80% of the time it is very successful while keeping the costs exactly the same.” “For most people, you’ve already taken one afternoon off from work to come in and you can get it done at once,” added Dr. Wotton. The advanced technology can also reduce the need for freezing. “With our advancements the whole issue of freezing (is reduced),” said Dr. Rykiss. “With laser dentistry, we cut down freezing by 80% because 80% of the time it is very successful. It allows us to do things like doing a full crown with no freezing because we can utilize the lasers where before we’d need to have the patient frozen.”

MANITOBA BUSINESS PROFILE • 2015

877 Waverley Street info@lindenmarketdental.com 204-487-2226

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John Mackow, Founder, Mackow Industries

Mackow Industries All in the family By Brook Jones

Mackow Industries is a prime example of the old adage that great success starts from humble beginnings. Were it not for company founder, the late John Mackow leaving Poland in the early 1960s, none of it would even have come about. Arriving in Manitoba, he was a machinist for CAE aircraft who chose not to move with the former Winnipeg company when they departed the Keystone province for an Ontario location. At that time, John, who died in 2013, planned to buy some of the company’s surplus equipment and go into business for himself. To make that happen, he borrowed $18,000 from his bank – a lot of money at the time – and put up his family’s home as collateral in order to purchase two milling machines and two lathes to get the business up and running. That was close to three decades ago, and now the company is located on a large parcel of land as a way to accommodate its workload and large arsenal of machinery. John’s son, Bob Mackow, who serves as president of Mackow, explained the company started out as Mackow Custom Machines. “We started getting phone calls primarily for machining, but we are not just a machine shop. We manufacture as well, so the name change came about,” Bob said. “Mackow Industries offers end to end services from metal fabrications to finishing.” Other functions include CNC production machining, custom machining, welding, manufacturing, along with laser cutting, sheet metal and painting. For the most part, Mackow serves Manitoba markets. Mackow Industries are experts in cutting, forming, welding, machining and work with a variety of materials including steel, aluminum, copper, sheet and bars. There have been some moves over the years as a result of expansion. The company is now located at 1395 Whyte Avenue, which has plenty of space for its operations. Back then, Bob recalled wondering what the family was going to do with all the additional space. But that question has been answered as more than 50,000 square feet of working space is utilized. With such success, it is recognized it’s the employees that made the company and that core skills are the lifeblood of Mackow that has approximately 100 employees. “Absolutely,” Bob said. “There are key people here that we need around. Most of the company staff have been around for a lot of years. Our turnaround is minimal and most of the employees have 10 or 15 years under their belts. Besides Bob, other family members serve the company. Bob recruited his sister Elizabeth in 1994 when the company became busier. She was working for a bank at the time, but was a perfect fit for Mackow Industries. Elizabeth, is now the CFO and in charge of all financial operations for the company.

“Things were pretty tight in the beginning, and over the years we gained clientele and productivity, it was not until our company move that Mackow Industries started to take off”. Bob’s other sisters Karen Derkacz joined the company in 1996 and manages receiving. Mariane McKiernan joined the company in 1999 and is the Human Resource and Safety Manager. “We work as a team to output quality products,” Elizabeth

Things were pretty tight in the beginning, and over the years we gained clientele and productivity, it was not until our company move that Mackow Industries started to take off

said. “We’re ISO certified so our clients can expect the best.” That claim brings with it the peace of mind that clients have come to expect over the years. It puts Mackow in the high certification level which means your products will be manufactured correctly and to specification. Key to the business is maintaining good working relationship with their clients, such as the aforementioned New Flyer Industries and Motor Coach Industries. “We’re still a family business through and through, so if we don’t have their business, our employees don’t have jobs,” Bob added. “We have to be sure to maintain good customer relationships.”

MANITOBA BUSINESS PROFILE • 2015

1395 Whyte Avenue 204-774-8323 mackowindustries.com

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John Stinson, Chief Executive Officer, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries evolving with its products By Brook Jones

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries has impressed Manitobans lately with an array of exciting offerings – the opening of more convenient Liquor Mart Express locations, a recent successful Canadian craft beer promotion, and plans for improvements at the Club Regent Casino site for privately operated restaurants and a boutique hotel. At the same time, the corporation has stayed true to its community-focused roots, earning the highest level of responsible gaming certification from the World Lottery Association, launching new social responsibility brands (GameSense and DrinkSense) to educate and inform consumers, and expanding its list of community funding programs such as the Small Capital Sponsorship Program. Liquor & Lotteries’ CEO John Stinson has been busy with his management team fostering a healthy corporate culture. He points to the need for the organization to evolve to remain successful. Annually the corporation generates approximately $600 million that goes to the Province of Manitoba to support priority programs such as health care and education, community and social services, public infrastructure and housing. Liquor & Lotteries employs 3,200 Manitobans. It operates 59 Liquor Mart and Liquor Mart Express stores, Club Regent Casino, McPhillips Station Casino, Video Lotto, and PlayNow.com. “We very much have a blended public-private model,” Stinson said. “Our VLT network operates through 500 independently-owned venues across the province. We sell lottery products through a network of 900 independent lottery retailers. And we work in partnership with 431 private wine, beer, liquor and duty-free stores in the province.” Last year approximately $148 million flowed to the hotel and restaurant industries as well as other business partners in commissions, contributions and other business support. Liquor & Lotteries has also been actively working to support the local craft brewing industry. The corporation launched ManitobaBrewHub.ca to guide entrepreneurs through the process of launching a craft brewery. Several new brands are expected to launch in the coming months. In the midst of a continent-wide craft beer renaissance, Liquor & Lotteries has grown its selection and launched growler stations. These refillable beer containers, sold at select Liquor Marts and other locations, offer customers freshly-bottled craft beer. Since their launch only a year ago, demand has been phenomenal. As a result, it was announced this summer that availability of growlers is expanding with more locations and product selection. “Growlers are a good example of what we’re doing across all our business lines,” said Stinson. “There are more choices than ever in the marketplace. We have the opportunity to bring the best to Manitoba consumers, while at the same time supporting local businesses wherever possible.” Liquor & Lotteries has continued to open Liquor Mart Ex-

MANITOBA BUSINESS PROFILE • 2015

press locations, providing convenient shopping service using a store-within-a-store concept at such retailers as major grocery stores. On the gaming side, Liquor & Lotteries opened the 1,400seat Club Regent Event Centre. Since its unveiling, the venue has welcomed over 100 concerts, banquets and private events. According to Stinson, guests are looking for a more full-service entertainment experience that includes gaming as only one element. Internal change as a result of the merger is just as important as the product refreshes, said Stinson. Merging two venerable organizations takes time and commitment at all levels. “One way of creating a healthy work organization is to drive decision making downward, with employees at the front lines feeling that they have some room to make decisions to help the organization,” Stinson said. “It’s about bringing people together by building a culture of transparency and accountability. I’m here to facilitate the work of the employees in the organization to ensure they’re able to do their jobs and to let them know that I’ve got their back,” he said. Stinson is no stranger to managing during government consolidation, having previously served as CEO of Interlake Eastern Regional Health Authority during the amalgamation of the Interlake Health Authority and the North Eastman Health Authority. Stinson’s career spans three decades in health care. One thing that has not changed with the new organization is its firm commitment to social responsibility. New legislation formalized that two percent of net revenue be allocated to social responsibility including research, education and awareness programs, and organizations like the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba. Last year, Liquor & Lotteries set aside approximately $12 million in its budget for social responsibility. The corporation is also highly integrated into the community, consistently supporting community organizations and events across the province. Approximately $10 million was provided last year to hundreds of groups, festivals and events. “We aim to partner with our communities in meaningful, impactful ways that add lasting value to the lives of Manitobans,” said Stinson. “Liquor & Lotteries has developed a range of unique programs that allow us to connect with the community in ways that make the most of available resources.” Liquor & Lotteries could be spotted at almost 70 community festivals that it sponsored last year. Its employees volunteered over 8,600 hours alongside family and friends. “When I talk to fellow Manitobans, I’m told that we are truly making a positive impact in their communities,” said Stinson. “We’re proud to play a leading role in the social and economic growth of this province, from creating jobs to supporting and enhancing the cultural scene.”

files Manitoba Business Profiles Profiles Manitoba Business Profiles usiness Profiles Manitoba Business Profiles Lorraine Mischuk, ss Profiles Manitoba Business Profiles CEO and Managing Clinician, siness Profiles Manitoba Business Profiles Maximize Human Capabilities

Managing Clinician at Maximize Human Capabilities By Sherry Kaniuga

One of the most frustrating things for someone to be told when they have an injury or condition that’s keeping them from working is ‘it’s all in your head’. Occupational Therapist Lorraine Mischuk’s goal is to help people and their employers see that while that’s usually not the case, what’s going on inside that person’s mind is actually an important factor to be explored. “When someone has a back brace or a cast on their leg, that’s really visible. But it’s those invisible disabilities that are a really important component that’s often ignored,” says Mischuk, the CEO and Managing Clinician at Maximize Human Capabilities. “A big part of whatever illness or injury you have is often a mental health factor. We’re not just physical beings – it’s not all just about bones and muscles and joints. There’s so much more to how an injury might be affecting someone. That’s where we really need to work to listen to people, break down those barriers and really look at everything they are experiencing emotionally.” Mischuk started the ergonomics and occupational therapy company in 1997 out of a drive to fill the need for a more individualized approach. After a few years working in hospitals, she became the province’s first corporate occupational therapist, responsible for implementing and developing services for occupational therapy for staff at CN Railway Transcona Shops. The ideas that had begun to percolate there were later reinforced when she worked at a private clinic for a short while. “I was really seeing the need to individualize the approach for each client. You could have 10 people lined up with the same diagnosis on paper, but it affects them in 10 completely different ways,” she says. “It can be difficult for the powers that be to understand that.” To achieve this, Mischuk started Maximize Human Capabilities and developed a way of looking at things with a “whole person approach” – exploring not just the physical aspects of the person’s injury, but really looking into the psycho-social, cognitive and spiritual aspects as well. Mischuk and the three other occupational therapists on her team all operate with this approach. When they are off work recovering from a physical injury, people can often also have feelings of isolation, worry, selfdoubt, fear, or undiagnosed anxiety. “We really emphasize that integration of the physical with our emotional or psycho-social self, because it really affects everything. We see that mental health piece as a critical factor, at least 50 to 75 per cent of the time,” Mischuk explains. “But if you catch these things early, and find that puzzle piece

that lets you help them move forward, you can mitigate the problem. That’s a big part of what we do in the ‘whole person’ approach.” Mischuk and her staff work with all types and sizes of employers, often meeting with the employees at their workplace to evaluate the situation. “I always start by listening carefully to what my clients have to say. I take what they’re telling me, and refer back to them in their own words. I’ll say, ‘you know how you told me about how this is affecting you not just at work but those things at home, or the financial worry you’re experiencing?’ I explain how it affects

We really emphasize that integration of the physical with our emotional or psycho-social self, because it really affects everything. it all, and it’s like a lightbulb goes on,” Mischuk says. Mischuk isn’t keeping her approach a secret – far from it. She spent three years developing a workshop called “Psychosocial Risk Factors with Functional Assessment – Let’s Get Started!” currently sponsored by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, which she has presented to sold-out groups of other occupational therapists in cities across Canada, including an upcoming session in Halifax on November 6 and 7, plus two more in 2016. Mischuk is also working on another way to help her clients – she is writing a book that tells the “amazing stories” of how some of the most inspiring clients she has worked with over her career have made huge leaps to overcome their own injuries. “I actually have some amazing stories. My clients really inspire me, and I know their stories can help others too.”

www.maxot.ca

MANITOBA BUSINESS PROFILE • 2015

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Peter Nygård, Chairman, Nygärd International

NYGÅRD International Pants are out, SLIMS are in. By Glen Dawkins

When Peter Nygard founded his clothing business in 1967, one of his first customers was Sears Canada. Hence why the chairman felt it was a perfect fit to enter into a strategic alliance with Sears Canada and expand the Nygard SLIMS shops to more than half of Sears Canada’s 95 full-line Stores by December 2015. “When I walked into this door almost 50 years ago, that was our No. 1 vendor, our No. 1 customer,” said Nygard. “It’s been our No. 1 customer in Canada for almost every year since then. This partnership is almost 50 years old now and now it has taken a whole new format.” The expansion of the Nygard SLIMS shops reflects the efforts Sears Canada is making to develop a “best-in-class” model for vendor-based areas within its stores, and follow a highly successful pilot program conducted over the past year. When complete, the rollout of the Nygard SLIMS shops will constitute an increase in Nygard’s investment in Sears Canada stores of more than three-fold in Nygard SLIMS shops, and two-fold overall in Nygard branded products. “Sears have really great stores,” said Nygard. “Now that they have decided to give it back to the merchants to run, we’re just jumping at the chance. We couldn’t be more thrilled to be jumping at this opportunity to partner with them and lead the way in bringing Sears back to the fine tradition that they always had and deserve to have in the future.” Nygard expects the move to be welcomed by customers of Nygard and Sears Canada. “Our customers are quite excited and they’re showing that excitement by a huge increase in sales that we are achieving right out of the box. This is a major strategic move in the retail business in Canada,” he said. “It’s a partnership made in heaven.” Nygard SLIMS shops will represent dedicated space with fresh, branded fixtures showcasing the most impressive new product design in the 48-year history of Nygard. Nygard developed, designed and engineered Nygard SLIMS and the response nationally and internationally has been extraordinary, with millions of women embracing it as their ‘Go-to Bottom’. This revolutionary, most slimming and fashionable product is priced from $49 to $69 and available in Regular, Petite and Women’s sizes. The hip and thigh compression features result

in significantly smaller appearance and the Slimcurve Technology lifts, shapes, curves and sculpts the lower body. “We gain a huge amount of retail exposure,” said Nygard. “This will bring 50 new SLIMS stores into Sears by the end of November. That’s like expanding our own stores by 50 so this adds to our own stores by 50% and it couldn’t be more timely. SLIMS is on fire and everybody wants them. The race is on as to who could put the product out on the market faster because it’s so much in demand by the customer.”

Our customers are quite excited and they’re showing that excitement by a huge increase in sales that we are achieving right out of the box. According to Nygard, Nygard SLIMS is a pant with no age limit, no size limit and no culture limit. “It’s just a pant that everybody wants to wear,” Nygard said. “It’s a basic pant, it’s an office pant, it’s a leisure pant. You can do everything in it. So it couldn’t be better for us in terms of getting quick exposure to the market place and be able to really expand our business very rapidly. It’s a double whammy for both of us.” Nygard expects the new Nygard SLIMS shops to become the real centrepiece of the Sears Canada stores. “The shops will be very attractive, very modern,” said Nygard. “The shop helps to sell the product to the customer. Once you’ve been attracted all the way from the mall into the store and see the shop, it’s like a magnet.”

1771 Inkster Boulevard

nygard.com

MANITOBA BUSINESS PROFILE • 2015

Brandon G. Stranzl, Executive Chairman, Sears Canada Inc. (left) and Peter Nygard, Chairman Nygard International (right)

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Cary Paul, Managing Partner, Palomono Club

World Famous Palomino Club By Katherine Page

When he was 39, Cary Paul took up steer wrestling. “Such a nice occupation for a nice Jewish boy, huh,” chuckled the proud owner of the World Famous Palomino Club on Portage Ave. “Who would have thought I would be driving to Estevan, Saskatchewan taking steer wrestling lessons from a former world champion steer wrestler. I have never been the same since.” Paul, who was raised in Garden City, had been living in Alberta but returned to his home town in 1984. While Paul was in “Wild Rose Country” he operated a number of successful nightclubs and restaurant concepts. His time away was well spent. Upon his return to Winnipeg he immediately realized the absence of country music venues in Winnipeg and the opportunity this presented. With this in mind Paul, who had formed a relationship with businessman Oscar Grubert, decided to forge ahead and fill the void and by doing so changed the local club and entertainment landscape in Winnipeg. “Oscar and I had several discussions, and eventually we agreed to turn this place into the Palomino Club (formerly Blue Jeans). Ultimately Oscar and I had a great relationship that lasted three decades... we were able to deal with each other from a distance,” he joked. “What we were able to do together worked, and I will always value what we managed to accomplish.” The move to open the Pal back in 1988 did not come without its naysayers. “I did this against the advice of many people. Everything at that time in Winnipeg was about rock or techno music. Even the country radio stations were limited but I am a head-strong person and went ahead anyway.” Ultimately his steer wrestling lessons were just the beginning of a long and amazing journey. “Looking back I had thought it was a good way to ingratiate myself into the cowboy community, not realizing how small that scene was in Winnipeg.” Ultimately his steer studies earned Paul the nickname “the Kosher Cowboy.” Anyone who either knows Paul or has visited “The Pal” will be familiar with the caricature of him that was mounted on the north wall alongside the horseshoe table when the club opened its doors. However, Paul admits he questioned himself in the early days. “People were initially reluctant to come to the club, after a slow start we embarked on an intense print and radio campaign. The message was simple ‘Country is Cool, where were you last night?’ and ‘The Pal, the most fun you can have with your boots on!’ We invested about $30,000 in the campaign and then things really started to change. People started to flock to the club, some of the more urban radio stations started to play country, bands started reworking their play lists to include country or country rock and we were able to break that barrier. Almost overnight country became cool, we hit our stride and the club just blossomed.” “We offered line dancing and two stepping lessons, started giving away boots, cowboy hats and Wrangler jeans, the phones were ringing off the hook... next we were taking reservations for

bachelor and bachelorette parties, fundraisers, team windups and there were even weddings being booked. Heck, we had a bride ride up on a horse!” Celebrities, visiting actors, athletes quickly realized the Pal was the place to be, and be seen when in Winnipeg (Paul recalls

Musicians regularly dropped into the club, one evening Faith Hill and Ronnie Dunn dropped in and ended up gracing the stage for an impromptu two hour appearance before playing the Winnipeg Arena the next night Canadian actor John Candy showing up many times. “When here for a game, the part owner of the Toronto Argonauts would sit at the very back, have a good time, and my staff would always make sure he made it safely to his limo.”) “Musicians regularly dropped into the club, one evening Faith Hill and Ronnie Dunn dropped in and ended up gracing the stage for an impromptu two hour appearance before playing the Winnipeg Arena the next night.” “Ever since that first steer, It has been a wild ride,” Paul says. “I have had amazing people by my side on this journey, some of which have been with me since the very early days. Jacquie Neufeld was with me for many, many years, she has now passed, she was the face of the club. Christian Stringer, my current manager, is now my right hand, and we are home to three generations of incredible staff. We have worked hard, played hard and through it all we became a family. We have treated our guests as family, we have served millions of people over 30 years and I can tell you this, everybody wants to belong. We gave people that sense of belonging and of family. When the time comes to close the Pal it will be hard day, but I know ... the friendships that were built here at the World Famous Palomino Club will live on.”

1133 Portage Avenue

204-772-0454

palominoclub.ca

MANITOBA BUSINESS PROFILE • 2015

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Plaza Premium Lounge By Michelle Bailey

When you’re jet-setting anywhere, whether for business or pleasure, there’s always that moment between check-in to taking your seat when you wonder “now what in the world do I do to pass the time until take-off?” That question has been answered at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport with the introduction of the Plaza Premium Lounge. Having officially opened September 30, the Plaza Premium Lounge offers passengers a relaxing and restful atmosphere combined with scrumptious food and beverage offerings pre-flight. As you enter this inviting environment, you can’t help but want to sink into one of the comfortable chairs and enjoy the various amenities available to you. This premium lounge offers complimentary Wi-Fi and numerous electrical outlets for tablets, laptops and mobile phones. The state-of-the-art lounge facilities encompass Plaza Premium’s signature honeycomb seating, providing extra privacy for travellers. And perhaps the best advantage of the Plaza Premium Lounge is that you don’t need to fly with a specific airline to access this heavenly oasis. Situated in an area that services over 4,000 departing passengers daily, within Winnipeg Richardson International Airport, Plaza Premium Lounge caters to all types of travellers. “Our goal is to enhance the experience for travellers who don’t have access to lounges that are exclusive to business class or that are airline specific,” said Brent Bowes, Vice-President of Business Development for Plaza Premium Group. “We wanted to provide an oasis and a get away from the natural hectic pace that an airport can bring to travel.” Hungry and thirsty? Plaza Premium Lounge offers guests a wide array of delicious food and beverage options. Apart from a variety of juices, coffee, beer, wine and spirits, freshly prepared, mouth-watering fare, including signature dishes such as Chocolate and Marinated Strawberries Flatbread, as well as Rotisserie Chicken are available. Whether you walk up, book ahead online or reserve time via your travel agent with Plaza Premium Lounge, you are guaranteed a pleasurable pre-flight experience that you will want to repeat every time you travel. So now you’re wondering, what does this cost? “The great thing about experiencing our lounge is that you don’t need to be a member. Come and enjoy, relax and replenish before you climb aboard,” said Bowes. $40 for 2 hours, $50 for 3 hours , $70 for 6 hours. Once you’ve paid for this pre-flight getaway, your food and beverages are covered for the length of your time spent at the lounge. The introduction of the Plaza Premium Lounge was a perfect fit for Winnipeg Richardson International Airport as it continues to evolve and meet the needs of passengers. “We make an effort to pay attention to comments offered by our patrons, and

MANITOBA BUSINESS PROFILE • 2015

their feedback is very important to us,” said Breanne Talbot, Manager of Communications and Public Affairs, Winnipeg Airports Authority. “They see other airports offering certain amenities and specific services and would like the same offered at their home airport.” The first Plaza Premium Lounges were launched at Hong Kong International Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport in 1998 by Mr. Song Hoi-see, Founder and CEO of Plaza Premium Group. This was the world’s first independent airport lounge. Open to all travellers regardless of airline or travel class, the service-oriented Plaza Premium Lounge concept was driven by a heartfelt desire “to do something for the majority”.

We pay close attention to comments and suggestions from travellers, and their feedback is very important to us,” said Breanne Talbot, Manager of Communications and Public Affairs. “Travellers experience comfortable and relaxing lounges at other airports around the world and we’re glad to now offer that service here at Winnipeg’s airport. “We are very excited to join hands with Winnipeg Airports Authority to bring world-class lounge facilities to travellers. In addition to Edmonton, Toronto and Vancouver, our presence in Winnipeg provides a premium airport experience to more travellers within Canada as part of our international growth strategy. Our ultimate goal is to create exceptional and seamless experiences for travellers through innovative products and attentive service,” remarked Mr. Song. So the next time you are travelling through Winnipeg to somewhere domestic or international, consider taking a moment to unwind and prepare for your flight with Plaza Premium Lounge.

TARGETING THE RIGHT INSURANCE POLICY TAKES A LOT OF SKILL

YOUR BEST INSURANCE IS AN INSURANCE BROKER

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Peter Ginakes, President & CEO, Pony Corral Restaurant & Bar

Pony Corral Restaurant & Bar By Doug Lunney

He owns four successful Pony Corral restaurants and is busy with several other ventures, but Peter Ginakes remembers well his humble roots. “I started helping out at a young age at the Thunderbird on McPhillips (Street),” Ginakes recalled recently at his Pembina Highway location. “That was one of my family’s first restaurants. “I lived in Garden City, so I would be there after school and cook burgers. I’ve been in the business my whole life right from childhood.” Ginakes also has a clear memory of the pride his father Jimmy, who passed away in 2008, took in running his business. “He would go in the kitchen and ask the cook: ‘Would you eat this?’ “ Ginakes said. “He always took pride in his food. We are customer- service oriented. I do not pay our employees… the customers do. We take that seriously” Ginakes tells the story with great pride how his father, along with Jimmy’s brothers John and Perry, launched their first restaurants in Winnipeg back in the 1960s. Eventually the brothers would go their own ways and Jimmy took on Peter as his new partner at the Rib Shack on Pembina Highway in 1982. “Bishop Grandin used to go right to our front door,” Ginakes recalled the location. In 1988 they resurrected the name of the Pony Corral from the 1950s and it has since expanded to four restaurants, starting on Pembina Highway. “We had the name Pony Corral, because my dad had purchased the original Pony Corral and turned it into a Rib Shack,” Ginakes explained. “My dad was a promoter and I remember he said ‘We’re going to fill this place up. Let’s do 25-cent hamburgers and 10-cent Cokes.’ “We did hay rides and pony rides. We had the SUNshine girls on roller skates.” The Pony hosted live pro wrestling shows in the parking lot with promoter Tony Condello, who had Chris Jericho and Don (The Natural) Callis on his roster before they earned major contracts. Whenever the World Wrestling Federation would come to town, their stars would make appearances at the Pony. Ginakes became close friends with the late Owen Hart, who would stay at his home when he was in town. A week prior to their grand opening, the Manitoba Street Rod Association showed up near the Pony’s lot on a Saturday evening, Ginakes recalled. “I said ‘Hey guys. We’re doing an opening next week. Can you bring these cars?’ “ Ginakes recalled. They showed up in droves. “I remember we just got slammed,” Ginakes said. “We were overwhelmed.” But that was just fine with his dad. “My dad would always say ‘fill up the lot. Even if they’re having a coffee, because people bring people. Cars attract people because they’re colourful.”

The relationship with the Pony Corral and the local specialinterest car community continues to this day, including Sunday night cruises from spring to fall at the Grant Park location on Wilton Ave., which opened at the former Bombay Bicycle Club in 1998. Ginakes was part of a group, along with Bob Chubala and John and Bev Dyck, who helped launch the Manitoba Association of Auto Clubs. The Pony Corral also added locations on Nairn Avenue in 1994 and downtown in 2000 on St. Mary Avenue. The Pembina location moved to 1700 Pembina in 2006, becoming the Pony Corral Pier 7 Yacht Club. “Everybody thought I was crazy to go downtown and maybe

He always took pride in his food. We are customer- service oriented. I do not pay our employees… the customers do. We take that seriously I was,” Ginakes said with a grin. “Downtown has been challenging, but the scene has dramatically changed when the MTS Centre came into play with concerts, the return of the beloved Jets and the Moose. With the development of new hotels, office buildings and the expansion of the RBC Convention Centre, we are anticipating yet a greater positive influx and impact.” Pony Corral Downtown has hosted renowned celebrities such as Burton Cummings with the Carpet Frogs, Chantal Kreviazuk for University of Winnipeg Fundraiser, Barney Bentall, Zappacosta, Ray St. Germain celebrating his 75th birthday with special guest Mike Reno from Lover Boy. In November of this year the Watchmen band will be performing for a Siloam Mission fundraiser. Watch for more upcoming celebrities at Pony Corral. Ginakes would love to see downtown add some residential density, adding he’s promoting the St. Mary Pony as an event centre. “It is a restaurant, bar, sports bar and cabaret, a complete event centre. We have recently remodeled to include a theatre style stage and we are promoting for the space to host special private/corporate events on Saturdays and Sundays.”

ponycorral.ca MANITOBA BUSINESS PROFILE • 2015

444 St. Mary Avenue 204-942-4414 400 Wilton Street 204-475-4464 1050 Nairn Avenue 204-668-4414 1700 Pembina Hwy. 204-275-3687

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Dave Matthes, Vice-President of Marketing, Princess Auto

Family generation business continues to evolve By Brook Jones

Princess Auto has evolved over the years, yet the generational family business remains true to its roots and prides itself on selling unique products. From humble beginnings, Harvey Tallman took a local auto wrecking business in Winnipeg and transformed it into what Princess Auto is today. The company is now being run by the third family generation since Tallman got things rolling in the 1940s. In 1942, Tallman, who at the time was a truck driver, sold his 1939 International and used the proceeds to purchase Princess Auto wrecking located on Princess Street. Ten years later, Tallman moved the company from its Princess Street location to Fort Street and changed the name to Princess Auto and Machinery. During the 1950s, Princess Auto customers where thrilled to be able to purchase items from the store front instead of the Princess Auto catalogue. In 1967, Princess Auto has as many as 125 employees and was considered at the time to be one of the most modern stores of its kind in Canada. The store included warehouses, mechanised loading and handling equipment, and a combined showroom area. Tallman retired from the business in 1977 with his sons taking over the family business. By the end of 1970s, Princess Auto expanded for its first time outside of Winnipeg when a store opened in Edmonton. As the 1980s drew to a close, Princess Auto had 12 stores across Canada with head office remaining in Winnipeg. Princess Auto is commonly known for selling hard to find items. This is is still the main draw for customers who shop at their various locations in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. It’s not a secret what Princess Auto sells can be purchased elsewhere in the world, but what makes it unique is that the products sold are all under one roof. Being unique is what drives Princess Auto as the quest remains to find new and unique items to sell. “You can walk through the store and have a fun adventure. Our place in the market is trying to be unique and try to be fun and attract people who have activities or concepts that they

want to do – we’ll help them finish it,” Princess Auto vice president of marketing Dave Matthes said. “Harvey’s vision was to find unique items around the world and sell them at Princess Auto.” Princess Auto’s developed a new philosophy during the 1990s which included leaving a lasting legacy of great value for its customers and providing royal service.

You can walk through the store and have a fun adventure. Our place in the market is trying to be unique and try to be fun and attract people who have activities or concepts that they want to do - we’ll help them finish it Princess Auto upgraded their stories at the turn of the millennium, which included not only cosmetic changes, but also the introduction of above rack storage in the store room. This was a way to warehouse products while conserving storage space. The storage doors on the above racks featured photos of various Princess Auto products, which serves as a unique way enhance the showroom. “It’s everything, but auto,” Matthes added. “You can’t buy an auto part from us, but you can buy tools to fix your car and tools to do computer analysis and you can buy all the wrenches.”

Geoff Frodsham, CEO, Princess Auto

www.princessauto.com

MANITOBA BUSINESS PROFILE • 2015

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RBC Convention Centre By Brook Jones

When asked to describe the state of the RBC Convention Centre when he first became General Manager 22 years ago, Klaus Lahr pauses for a moment before answering. “Let’s just say that it was a very tired, very outdated 25-yearold building that from top to bottom had quite an unpleasant colour scheme. It’s where brown and orange collided and not in a good way,” laughed Lahr, who now serves as President and CEO. Built in 1975, the facility (formerly known as the Winnipeg Convention Centre) was ready for its first real facelift. Lahr’s goal when he started in 1993 was to embark on a mission to remodel and rejuvenate. And now, the RBC Convention Centre is undergoing another metamorphosis. Only this time, the $180 million project is a more bold undertaking. It’s pretty hard to miss the activity going on in the heart of downtown as the expansion takes shape. “By the time we officially open the entire facility in March, 2016, we will have grown to 260,000 square feet of rentable space which includes an additional ballroom, more underground parking and over 131,000 square feet of adjoining third floor exhibition space,” said Lahr. Built to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Standards, the facility is poised to become the largest tier-two publicly-owned Convention Centre in the nation and fourth largest publicly-owned Convention Centre in Canada. By doubling the square footage on the third floor alone, Lahr said they will now be able to accommodate multiple events at one time as well as attract events that may not have considered Winnipeg as an option before. “For example, when we would host the Home Show, the entire facility would be used for that one event. Now, we will be able to have a significant event such as that and have the space to host other conventions, meetings and gala dinners.” Lahr proudly states that when taking people on “hard hat” tours through the construction zone, there is a great deal of positive feedback. “The most consistent response is wow, this is exactly what we’ve been looking for,” Lahr said. “From having structurally sound ramps to the third floor that can accommodate extremely heavy loads to having state-of-the-art facilities that will house a variety of events year round has everyone extremely excited for what the future holds.” Lahr points out that as an operation, they function on four pillars; fiscal responsibility, quality service to their customers, respectful treatment of staff and accountability to their owners.

“We can’t achieve one of those at the expense of the other, therefore it’s important we follow all of those principles to achieve success. It has worked to this point and we will continue to follow this path moving forward.” Fully expecting the massive project to be on time and on budget, Lahr said the process has been a very smooth one. “We have been fortunate to work with an amazing team of professionals and superb contractors (Stuart Olson), and have the financial support of the Federal, Provincial, Municipal governments. It’s been an incredible collaboration.”

We have been fortunate to work with an amazing team of professionals and superb contractors (Stuart Olson), and have the financial support of the Federal, Provincial, Municipal governments. It’s been an incredible collaboration Once the project is complete, Lahr said it will take the RBC Convention Centre from being a $38 million/yr. operation to a $55 to $60 million/yr. operation. Also set to grow will be the size of their staff, the contributions to the local economy, the number of bookings at Winnipeg hotels and reservations at restaurants and bars. “The ripple effect is very real and very exciting, “Lahr said with a smile as he explained the benefits of having such a stateof-the art facility in Winnipeg. “We’ve come a long way from where we were in 1975, and that includes the colour scheme.”

375 York Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3C 3J3 Website: www.wcc.mb.ca Tel: 204-956-1720

MANITOBA BUSINESS PROFILE • 2015

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Doug Wiebe, General Manager, Red River Co-op

Discover the Difference: Shop Red River Co-op By Brook Jones

Red River Co-op prides itself on being different and continues to encourage more and more people to discover the benefits by supporting their gas bars throughout Winnipeg and now the same benefits are available when you shop at their four food stores. For the past 78 years Red River Co-op has been most commonly recognized for providing petroleum products, but last year expanded the business by becoming involved in the food store industry. “Our focus is on customer service and it’s definitely on being truly local to highlight our support of local producers and local manufactures with a focus on sustainability by having product that is grown or produced right here in Manitoba,” said Red River Co-op General Manager Doug Wiebe. The local Co-op has more than 270,000 members, who as owners, share annually in the profits of their co-op. During the past five years, over $209 million have been returned to its members in cash. Members can not only earn benefits purchasing fuel at their gas bars, but also by shopping at their food stores and pharmacies. “We view our equity and cash back program – as another way we support the community,” Wiebe noted. Wiebe has held the General Manager position with Red River since January 2014. Before moving to the retail side of things with Red River, he was with Federated Co-operatives Limited (wholesale division) as the Regina Region Associate Vice-President for 15 years. “The biggest motivation for me is the individuals we work with and serving our membership base,” said Wiebe, who has 35 years of experience under his belt working in the Co-operative Retailing System (CRS). “What intrigued me about coming to Winnipeg was the discussion surrounding Red River’s entry into the food business. Red River has been very successful as a petroleum retailer, however a planned entry into food would be something different and provide a challenge.” Food Division Manager Todd McNaughton said Red River acquired four Safeway stores almost 18 months ago. Each store transition was completed within a 36 hour window and involved hundreds of individuals from western Canadian retail co-ops, Federated and the Red River employee group. The four stores were converted from Safeway to Co-op over a two week period. These new Co-op food stores have all the typical grocery departments, such as produce, bakery and deli, but they pride themselves on offering in-store fresh cut meats to their customers from their full service meat departments. We also offer pharmacies and fresh floral departments at each of our stores. “We are the consumer’s truly local choice in the Winnipeg food market,” McNaughton said. “We are proud to deliver full service through our gas bars, food and pharmacies.”

MANITOBA BUSINESS PROFILE • 2015

Red River Co-op Gas Bar Operations Manager David Whillans oversees the 34 gas bar locations, predominately located in Winnipeg. “We’ve been upgrading sites for the last 15 years – either building or upgrading one or more sites each year,” Whillans explained. The growth for Red River has been phenomenal during the past decade. Whillans said, “close to 50% of all fuel sold in Winnipeg comes from a Red River Co-op gas bar, and you certainly see that when you’re driving around town and where the vehicles are.” Bragging rights go to Red River Co-op for building the first gas bar in the neighbourhood of Bridgwater. It’s the latest and greatest gas bar for Red River in Winnipeg and Whillans noted it was built with the future in mind.

Our focus on customer service and its definitely on being truly local to highlight our support of local producers and local manufacturers “It has our latest design standards,” Whillans said. “It’s a much bigger lot and there should be no issues in terms of manoeuvring your vehicle.” The key feature for their successful gars bars is that they offer full service, which includes checking a vehicle’s oil and cleaning the windshield and many sites offer automatic car washes and a convenience store offering. Another reason for purchasing Co-op fuel is because of Top Tier gasoline, which is recognized as the premium standard in Canada, backed by a consortium of auto makers. “We’ve been Top Tier certified for over a year now,” said Whillans. For Red River Co-op to be able to label their gasoline as Top Tier, their gasoline had to pass rigorous tests to guarantee consumers a premium level of protection. All grades of Co-ops high performance gasoline has been enhanced with an aggressive detergency package that is certified as Top Tier. Co-op gasolines protect both modern and legacy motors.

Head Office 10 Prairie Way 204-631-4600 1-800-763-8704

www.rrcoop.com

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Reflections Dental Health Centre Mission Statement: We pride ourselves on offering the most comprehensive dentistry experience in Winnipeg. By Glen Dawkins

The dentists and staff at Reflections Dental Health Centre like to think of their patients as more than just customers. They think of them as family. “One of the things that we strive to do is try to treat our patients like we would treat our family and that allows us to give the best care possible,” said Dr. Ken Hamin, speaking from the offices on Harrow Street overlooking busy Pembina Highway. “Everybody deserves the best.” Established in 2003, Reflections has a staff of 25 including five dentists. “We run a large family practice so lots of families come here with their kids and spouses,” said Dr. Hamin. “We do a lot of sedation dentistry which means we see a lot of patients who have had bad dental experiences and are afraid to go to the dentist. This allows us to get their care done in a comfortable manner and they can get their dentistry done and not have any anxiety.” The practice provides a wide range of dental services including fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures, root canal therapy and more. They see a lot of children in their practice and have a play area with a toy box. “We try to give them a good experience when they leave,” he said. “Reward them for a great appointment.” The clinic is latex-safe and there’s no mercury amalgam ever used in the office since its inception in 2003. It was the first of its kind to use digital x-rays which are low-radiation x-rays. All of the water they use is treated past the city standard by a reverse osmosis process on site. “It was great especially when that brown water advisory came through last year,” he said. “Everybody had peace of mind knowing that the water was purified past the city.” The practice runs a number of promotions throughout the year, utilizing a large portable sign that sits alongside Pembina Highway. It is estimated that 55,000 vehicles pass by the sign on a daily basis, treated to everything from their September backto-school and Halloween candy buy-back programs to words of encouragement for runners in the Manitoba Marathon and the Blue Bombers and Jets. “That sign gets a lot of mileage in the sense that it’s amazing how many people comment on it,” Dr. Hamin said. “It’s not always geared for advertising. Sometimes it’s just a good-feel statement.” The Halloween candy buy-back program has become especially popular since its inception six years ago. “A lot of the schools get involved in that,” he said. “They bring their candy in and raise money for their school or class-

room. Sometimes they bring in 30 or 40 pounds of candy and they leave with some cash that they can use for whatever (they need).” The practice engages in extensive staff training, covering everything from customer service to the latest advances in dental techniques. Last year, half of the team went to Vancouver for the Pacific Dental Conference which is a leading educational expe-

We focus a lot on educating the patients so that they can make good decisions for themselves. rience for the team providing them with up-to-date technology and materials. Three of the staff teach at the University of Manitoba School of Dentistry. The practice belongs to the Seattle Study Club, a progressive program where dentists share knowledge in the field of dentistry and present cases and discuss treatment techniques that the dentists all benefit from. “We focus a lot on educating the patients so that they can make good decisions for themselves,” Dr. Hamin said. Dr. Hamin’s team is also involved in charity work through their work with Siloam Mission. They also raise money for the Smiles for Life Foundation, which helps 300 children’s charities nationwide. Each spring, they donate all the proceeds from teeth whitening procedures to the worthy cause, raising $3,000 to $10,000 annually. “Quality and comprehensive care is the most important parts (of what we offer) as well as the customer service,” Dr. Hamin said.

717 Harrow Street 204-777-6453 reflectionsdentalhealth.ca

MANITOBA BUSINESS PROFILE • 2015

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Finding Business Excellence By Shawn MacDonald

Reflecting on the theme of this publication, I was left pondering the foundations of true Business Excellence. Is it defined by a level of success? Is it defined by size, growth, market ownership, or revenues on a balance sheet? While all of these may be valued outcomes of excellence, I have concluded that true business excellence can not just be reduced to a number or defined by an entry on a spreadsheet. Business excellence is more about who you are and how you choose to serve your clients, employees, and community than it is about where you end up at the end of the day. Having grown up in an electrical construction family business in Atlantic Canada, I have come to learn firsthand how excellence can be found as much in the journey as it can at the finish line. I believe that true business excellence invites our business community to be dreamers – to look at the unlimited potential of tomorrow as a stream of somedays – someday we will open a second location; someday my children will take over the farm; someday we will spend more time with our friends and family. It requires us all to be leaders and collaborators and it celebrates us for being innovators and game changers. I have concluded that while excellence may not be defined by a number, perhaps it can be defined by a single word – alignment. Excellence comes from making a conscious decision to do business in a manner that aligns your decisions and actions with your vision and values. It comes from aligning your business with partners and vendors who share in your goals, passions, and ideals. It comes from recruiting and retaining the very best talent and aligning all employees to a shared vision and values that reflect the best of your brand. It also comes from breaking free from silos within a company and instead aligning your entire workforce through seamless partnering and collaboration to meet the full, ever changing, and diverse needs of your clients. And, it is about aligning how you serve your clients to how they wish to be served today while anticipating how they will wish to be served tomorrow. Having just recently moved to Winnipeg, here is what I already know to be true. There is an energy and passion for business excellence that runs through so many businesses and communities, both large and small, here in Manitoba. They each understand the journey - what it means to live the vision, values, and strategies of business excellence through what they do every day.

At RBC, we take great pride in taking that journey alongside many Manitobans. Through seamless partnering among our team of talented employees, we seek to provide meaningful advice that will meet all of your needs from the living room to the board room, from the corner house to the corner store, and from the fields to the farm house. Through our specialized industry expertise, we seek to provide you with a unique service experience with the kind of relevant advice that connects your realities of today with your goals of tomorrow.

There is an energy and passion for business excellence that runs through so many businesses and communities, both large and small, here in Manitoba. Through our community presence, we simply want to be a company that makes a difference - one that you, our communities, and our employees can be proud of. There is opportunity all around us in this province. You have my commitment that we at RBC will strive every day to earn the right to partner with you. Together we will seek out these opportunities, stomp out a new path tailored just for you, and work alongside you in seeking out the rewards of business excellence. Let’s achieve business excellence together. Warmest Regards,

Shawn MacDonald

rbcroyal.com

MANITOBA BUSINESS PROFILE • 2015

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Sarte Heating & Cooling Ltd. Mission statement: Home Comfort Solutions By Glen Dawkins

Sarte Heating & Cooling Ltd started a decade ago with Sammy Sarte working out of his parents’ home in The Maples with a van, a used one-ton truck and a dream. From those humble origins, great things have grown. “It was just me by myself with a cell phone and a van,” said Sarte, whose company celebrates its 10th anniversary in late October 2015. Having grown to a company of 10 employees with a fleet of 10 trucks of various sizes and a warehouse on Dufferin, Sarte Heating & Cooling provides services such as installation and 24 hour emergency service of air conditioners, furnaces, hot water tanks, boilers, HRV (heat recovery ventilators), gas lines and duct cleaning for both residential and light commercial customers. That’s not bad for a company whose president started off as an apprentice and learned the business with a couple of different heating and cooling companies before branching out on his own. “It was always the plan to start my own company,” said Sarte, speaking from his main office on Notre Dame Avenue. “I just had to take these steps to get there.” Early on Sarte partnered up with Frank Scott who Sarte worked with when he was getting his training in the business. Scott remains a valued consultant after returning from a short stint in B.C. where he had his own heating and cooling company. Scott is in charge of keeping the operation running as efficiently as possible. “That’s why I brought back Frank two or three years ago,” Sarte said. “It was getting bigger and we needed better structure in the company. I couldn’t do it all myself anymore. I needed to start delegating some of the responsibilities.” Over the years, Sarte Heating and Cooling has gone through a change in advertising slogan going from ‘Experience the Difference’ to ‘Home Comfort Solutions.’ “That’s why we had ‘Experience the Difference’ (as their slogan) at the beginning because we wanted to be better than everybody else in the city. We wanted to do things faster, more efficient at a more affordable price,” said Sarte. “I learned you can’t stay small forever so that’s why we lost

the ‘Experience the Difference’ and ‘Home Comfort Solutions’ became (the slogan).” As the president of a company that deals with heating and cooling systems, Sarte admits to having a somewhat ironic management philosophy. “Frank and I, we talk about how there’s always a fire every day,” he said. “Some fires are bonfires and some fires are grass fires. Eventually, you’ve got to put them all out.” Like the story of its president and founder, Sarte remains a company whose employees can start at the bottom and reach as high as their talents and abilities will take them. For

It was always the plan to start my own company. I just had to take these steps to get there. example, Lito Mendoza started at the company in 2007 as a helper. Now, Mendoza is the general manager and Sarte’s ‘right hand man’ in charge of sales. “He started out as a helper and moved into management in two years,” said Sarte. “We see where your strong points are and we lead you in that direction.” Sarte Heating and Cooling is also involved in the community. Sarte is the former secretary of the Manitoba Filipino Business Council and recently the company partnered up with The Hearts of Hope organization to help keep the volunteers of St. Boniface Street Links safe. Inspired by the example of Winnipeg’s ‘Homeless Hero’ Faron Hall, St. Boniface Street Links works with the area’s homeless while enhancing the safety and well-being of all who work, live and visit St. Boniface.

857 Notre Dame Avenue 204-697-2783 sarte.ca

MANITOBA BUSINESS PROFILE • 2015

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Tara Torchia-Wells, Owner / Survivor, The Unexpected Gift

The Unexpected Gift Diagnosis leads to a unique new business that helps people with cancer By Sherry Kaniuga

There’s nothing comfortable about cancer. But one enterprising survivor gave up her successful management career to open a brand new business that aims to make people going through treatment feel exactly that – comfortable, understood and even grateful. Behind an unassuming storefront on Portage Avenue in Winnipeg, Tara Torchia-Wells now spends her days helping people find anything and everything they need to make their experience with cancer a little bit easier – all in one convenient place. From wigs, headscarves and safe, non-toxic skin care products to mastectomy bras and breast prostheses, Torchia-Wells’ store, called The Unexpected Gift, is a “one stop shop” environment for shoppers going through cancer treatments. “I found myself first of all not knowing about things I needed until after the fact, or if I did know about something, not knowing where to find it,” says Torchia-Wells, who was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago at 42. “You’re already overwhelmed with the diagnosis and everything else that goes along with it. You don’t have the energy to be running all around the city.” Torchia-Wells says she wants her customers to feel to feel completely at ease when they visit. “I know people don’t want anyone to feel sorry for them. They don’t want to feel awkward or afraid of getting sympathetic looks. I get it,” she says. “If someone’s just been diagnosed, I’ll tell them about some of the things they’ll go through, and how they might feel. And if they want to just sit on the couch and talk or cry for a while, that’s ok. I want their visit to be a beautiful, compassionate, comforting experience.” The store also caters to friends and family of people with cancer, with gift ideas including books, greeting cards, customized gift baskets and gift cards available. “You can only have so many lasagnas and loaves of banana bread dropped off at your house,” laughs the married mother of two teenaged boys. Speaking of gifts, the store’s name came directly from her own experience – which led her to abandon her long-time job as an events planning manager. “As horrible as cancer was, it also allowed me to sort out all of the sludge that life pulls you into. My perspective really changed and it let me determine what was really important – the relationships you have with your husband, kids, family and friends. By doing that, it was a gift: the gift of being able to find out who I was and the person I wanted to be,” says Torchia-Wells, who has also written a book, called The Compression Garment Diaries:

Breast Cancer, an Unexpected Gift. In addition to the products it sells – most of which are from Canadian distributors – The Unexpected Gift also offers massage therapy, manicures, pedicures, facials, Reiki and reflexology, all provided in a safe, non-invasive way to protect those with low immunity levels. “It’s a place to feel like you can still go to the ‘spa’ and be

My perspective really changed and it let me determine what was really important – the relationships you have with your husband, kids, family and friends pampered, without having to tell the esthetician that because of treatment your nails are brittle or turning black, or you’ve had a double mastectomy and you have a lot of scar tissue. We understand, and we don’t ask questions.” Since opening in late July, Torchia-Wells says she has learned a lot more about the types of products people want and need, and if she gets a request for a product she doesn’t carry, she’ll order it. It’s obvious she truly cares about making a difference in her customers’ lives. “The stories I hear are emotional; people are in a bad place. But I’m really happy that I can put a smile on some people’s faces who were not so happy when they got here,” she says. “It’s not about your purchase – it’s about how you feel when you leave the store. If you don’t leave feeling a little bit better, I haven’t done my job right.”

1116 Portage Avenue 204-832-GIFT (4438) theunexpectedgift.ca MANITOBA BUSINESS PROFILE • 2015

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Don Whitmore, Chairman, Vector Construction

Vector Construction Mission Statement: A force dedicated to solving tomorrow’s unique challenges and today’s concrete and corrosion problems. Vector’s tagline is: “Innovative Solutions to Concrete Problems” By Glen Dawkins

For a company that prides itself for innovative solutions for concrete problems, Vector Construction is very much a business concerned with flesh and blood. Their employees are their greatest asset. “I think our focus on the family and the individual as being a member of a family differentiates us (from other companies),” said Vector Construction Chief Executive Officer Bob Spriggs, speaking from their headquarters on Dovercourt Drive. “When we set people up for their priorities for the year, the first item is what’s important to you as a person and what’s your personal goal for this year and it’s not work-related.” “When you’re talking with the person you’re working with, you’re always top-of-mind of what’s important to them as a person. That’s a critical difference between us and a lot of other organizations.” “It’s knowing where the balance is,” said Chairman Don Whitmore, who founded the company 50 years ago and watched it grow into a firm with four offices in Canada and the USA, with projects around the world. “It comes down to people knowing and understanding themselves.” From its roots as an earthmoving/highway builder, Vector Construction now a recognized leader in the area of concrete repair, protection and restoration, offering an extensive portfolio of solutions to extend the service life of concrete, masonry structures and infrastructure facilities. Vector Construction is a leader in the related area of investigating and mitigating corrosion of reinforcing steel in reinforced concrete structures with the use of Cathodic and Galvanic Protection systems and the Norcure® System for removing the chlorides from concrete using electrochemical technology. They also offer corrosion testing on reinforced concrete structures, design and installation of cathodic protection systems. They also offer corrosion testing and on reinforced concrete structures and design and installation of various corrosion protection systems. “We’ve always taken the long-term view,” said Whitmore. “We don’t worry about our market performance to quarterly results as a lot of major corporations have to because we strike a strategic plan and while we’re concerned that we must be profitable and must exist and survive, we don’t swing simply on the basis of a month’s results here or a month’s results there. We take a long-term view and establish a long-term position with our clients but I guess most particularly with the team internally.” “We invest in people and have very little turnover. We have some highly-skilled people who we invest in and they invest in themselves through the training opportunities that we provide.”

Their commitment to their employees is reflected through their utilization of the SafeStart program, which goes beyond safety in the workplace to include the employees’ home life 24/7. “Not only are we in an industry where safety is critical on the job but reality is that most injuries happen off the job,” said Spriggs. “The SafeStart program has all kinds of tools and information that people can take home to their families.”

I think our focus on the family and the individual as being a member of a family differentiates us (from other companies) To commemorate their 50th anniversary this year, Vector has been engaged in a year-long celebration. Senior management have been meeting with all of the staff at the various offices doing a presentation on the history of Vector Construction so that the employees are fully up to speed on what Vector is all about, where it came from, where it’s going and how each of them fit into the picture. No matter how long or short their time with the company, each employee receives a service award plaque and gift. At each office, a reception is being held for staff, clients and suppliers. In December, they will wrap up by bringing staff from the various offices plus their spouses for an event in Winnipeg with motivational speakers, a social and a gala party at the Via Rail Station on Main Street. They expect 250 of their employees and spouses will attend. “We’re going to have a big party in Winnipeg to celebrate where we’ve come, where we’re going and how they’ve all been a part of our success,” said Spriggs.

474 Dovercourt Drive 204-489-6300 vectorgroup.com

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Dr. R. Bruce McFarlane Village Orthodontics

Dr. Bruce McFarlane

Village Orthodontics Mission Statement: At Village Orthodontics, we believe your orthodontic care is a very personal experience. Your relationship with your doctor and all of the staff is caring and focused. Detail, passion, evaluation and technology are all used to chart the course to complete orthodontic health for you and your family. By Glen Dawkins

Dr. R. Bruce McFarlane likes to use a golf analogy when describing the advances that have been made in the field of orthodontics. “If you pull out a steel club and try to knock the cover off the ball, the ball doesn’t go very far,” said Dr. McFarlane. “But if you pull out a titanium club with a nice easy swing, a beautiful follow-through and you’re patient, it just sails.” “I figured that out in orthodontics but not in golf. I still want to knock the cover off the ball!” The Village Orthodontics Winnipeg office celebrated its 10th anniversary at the Taylor Avenue location in September. Village Orthodontics also has practices in Mississauga, Toronto, Niagara Falls, Guelph, Oakville, Brampton and Thornhill, Ont. “On a number of different fronts, orthodontic research has allowed us to understand more about the science of tooth movement and one of the big things that has come out is how lower force levels actually move teeth considerably more efficiently, with less possible damage to teeth and supporting structures and with less pain,” said Dr. McFarlane, who graduated with a Doctorate of Dental Medicine from the University of Manitoba in 1984 and from the University of Western Ontario in 1992 as a Specialist in Orthodontics. “The braces themselves have gotten a lot smaller, less conspicuous and more comfortable, especially with children where we still use a lot of the metal braces on the outside of teeth,” said Dr. McFarlane. “But we also do a lot of tooth-coloured braces and we have tooth-coloured wires as well.” With the addition of Dr. Ines Guedes in July, the Village Orthodontics Winnipeg office has two orthodontists plus a staff of 10. “I think we’re on the cutting edge in orthodontics,” said Dr. Guedes, who received her Doctorate in Dental Surgery at the top of her class in her native Brazil before being accepted into the TMJ disorders and orofacial pain Master of Science program at the University of Alberta in Edmonton where she also taught as clinical instructor in the Dental Faculty and TMD/ Orofacial Pain Graduate program. “Also we have a staff that is very focused and friendly and attentive to individual patient needs.” After her time in Edmonton, Dr. Guedes moved to Winnipeg to join the Orthodontic Graduate Program at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Guedes had braces herself when she was

younger and the experience inspired her to help both young and adult patients to achieve their dream smiles. “Braces improved my smile and gave me confidence,” she said. “It was life changing and I wanted to pass that on to (her patients).” As well as the traditional metal and porcelain braces, Village Orthodontics offers lingual or on-the-tongue-side braces and clear Invisalign® removable aligners which offer dental correction without the ‘tin grin’ stigma. “We find that (they are popular) especially with adult patients who want to get straight teeth but don’t want to advertise to the world what they’re up to. They’re certainly good for that,” Dr. McFarlane said.

There’s a lot less stigma attached to (having braces) than when I was a kid for sure. “There’s a lot less stigma attached to (having braces) than when I was a kid for sure.” Village Orthodontics boasts all of the latest new technologies and innovations. The practice uses optical scanners to create digital images and x-rays which are a lot better for the patient in terms of radiation and exposure. They also utilize AcceleDent - a simple-to-use hands-free device designed for faster orthodontic treatment which sends vibrations through the bone for 20 minutes a day – as well as Propel, a micro-invasive option able to accelerate orthodontics by stimulating more cellular activity in the bone thus speeding up the movement of teeth. It’s all about making the process faster and more comfortable. “We strive to make it a lot of fun around here,” he said. “Nowadays, orthodontics has become less threatening and less painful. We celebrate the final results every day with our patients.”

2-1190 Taylor Avenue

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204-947-1825

villageortho.ca

Dr. Ines Guedes and Dr. R. Bruce McFarlane

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Western Marble, Granite & Tile By Mike Miguez

An on-going commitment to product quality, new industry technology, and a hands-on customer service approach combine to make Western Marble, Granite and Tile an industry leader in the fabrication and installation of solid surface applications. Founded as Western Tile in 1977, Western Marble, Granite and Tile proudly serves residential and commercial clients in Winnipeg and surrounding areas including Selkirk, Oakbank, Portage la Prairie, Brandon, Whiteshell, Kenora, Northwestern Ontario, and as far north as Flin Flon. New ownership in 2013 committed themselves to maintaining the company’s long-standing personal approach while growing to be a leader in Canada’s flourishing granite industry. “When we took the company over we felt it was important to become more efficient and in turn it helped turn our company into an industry leader,” explained vice president Grace Mathison. In addition to handling applications in new and renovated homes, and condominiums, commercial clients include contractors, property managers, designers, fireplace manufacturers, cabinet millwork companies and plaque-makers. Western Marble, Granite and Tile offer a wider range and selection of natural stone (granite, marble), quartz (man-made engineered stone product), and ceramic tile than any competitor in the area. The company sources and receives granite, marble, and quartz slabs from suppliers all over the world including Brazil, Spain, Germany, China, Italy, Israel, Korea, India and Canada. In addition to kitchen countertops, solid surface applications can and do include any flat surface such as tabletops, stairs, baseboards, windowsills, showers, and fireplace or hot tub areas. According to Mathison, both durability and the uniqueness of each granite stone contribute to making solid surface products so popular. “A lot of customers like knowing they have a unique piece in their home or in their design,” added Mathison. Increased efficiency coupled with a reduced environmental impact are two positive improvements resulting from a 2013 investment in machinery and the very latest technology. As a result, Western Marble, Granite and Tile became the first company in Western Canada to incorporate a fully automated digital process in their stone fabrication moving forward from a manually-intensive process. A new advanced filtration system makes 80 percent use of recycled water which in turn has reduced overall dollar-wise expenses. Additionally, leftover granite or quartz particles from the cutting process are reused in cement. New technology has meant Western Marble, Granite and Tile is more than capable of taking on and handling a larger number of new projects and customers such as the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. The company’s hands-on customer service approach in-

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cludes access to a staff willing to help customers through everything from choosing a design, colour, product, edge profile, to helping provide creative ideas if need be. Customers are welcome to view showroom samples, browse through a computer station inventory, receive 3-D renderings, and even sign out and return samples. All this backed by an installation crew with more than 24 years combined experience. Mathison credits the staff’s commitment and dedication to change as being a major factor in leading the company’s recent growth and in its ability to serve a wider range of clients. “There is no doubt their openness to change and willingness to adapt to new technology has definitely played a big part in our continued growth.”

The innovation recognition means a lot to us as a company The company’s growth, successes, and advancements have not gone unnoticed. In 2015 Western Marble, Granite and Tile was a finalist in the medium sized business category for a Chamber of Commerce Spirit Award for Innovation which honours local businesses making a difference and recognizing their innovation ideas. Shortly thereafter the company earned the coveted designation of Accredited Natural Stone Fabricator by the Marble Institute of America (MIA) symbolizing they are among the finest in the natural stone industry with respect to craftsmanship, safety, and business practices. Being one of only three locations in Canada to achieve the prestigious accreditation puts them in elite company. “The innovation recognition means a lot to us as a company,” said Mathison. “It shows our industry has been able to recognize that we continually work at being innovative and more efficient. “Our staff, our team, and our management have worked really hard to attain the MIA accreditation. It gives the customer assurance that we are one of the best in Canada and we are staying on top of every new technology that’s coming out and making sure we are providing the best for our customers.”

1321 Yukon Avenue 204-774-0573 wmgt.ca

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Judy Robertson (R), Vice-president, Shauna Hewson (L), Education Co-ordinator Wildlife Haven

Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre By Sherry Kaniuga

Patients at a tiny hospital just south of Winnipeg are so happy when their treatment is over, they don’t just walk away – they run. Or fly. Or maybe even swim. More than 1,700 wild animals each year – from rabbits, squirrels and ducklings to foxes, raccoons and beavers – are treated at Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre in Ile des Chênes. When the animals’ time is up, the volunteers who have spent weeks or months caring for them are more than happy to see them flee. “They never say thank you on the way out, they just run,” laughs Wildlife Haven’s vice-president Judy Robertson, who has been volunteering her time to care for injured and orphaned wildlife for more than 10 of the non-profit organization’s 31 years. Without volunteers like Robertson, Wildlife Haven simply wouldn’t exist. Other than one full-time wildlife rehabilitator and a part-time education program coordinator, the 75-odd others who keep the wheels turning do so in their own spare time. The hospital is housed in a decommissioned dairy barn, but it’s not exactly home, sweet home. The space is cold and cramped, not just for the furry, feathered or scaly patients, but also for the people who care for them. “It’s challenging, let’s just put it that way. The staff use a portapotty as a washroom,” Robertson explains. Next year, the dream of a new home will finally come true, thanks to 18 acres of donated land on two 25-year leases from TransCanada Corporation, which also threw in $500,000. That kickstarted Wildlife Haven’s capital campaign, which aims to raise $2.5 million to build a brand-new, state-of-the-art rehabilitation hospital and education facility near its current home. They have raised half the required funds, and the facility is being built in stages as the money comes in. Instead of getting loans, they’re relying on the generosity of donors and business. “This facility is going to be just amazing for Manitoba’s wildlife. It will be the largest wildlife rehab initiative in central North America,” says Robertson. “It will be cleaner, allow us to take more patients, and give our staff better facilities to just hang up their coats.” Along with the hospital and education centre, it will feature enclosures for rehabilitating injured and orphaned wildlife, wetlands and tall grass natural areas, and an outdoor classroom. A separate area will be specially built for Wildlife Haven’s “ambassadors” – a handful of birds of prey including a red-tail hawk, an American kestrel and a great horned owl. Unable to be fully rehabilitated, the birds are trained by volunteers to participate in the more than 150 presentations Wildlife Haven does

MANITOBA BUSINESS PROFILE • 2015

each year at places like schools, provincial parks, senior care homes, birthday parties and fall migration events. “Educating the public about how to co-exist with wildlife is critical. We take the ambassadors out for people to learn about them, to see their beauty and to know what they’re doing when they find an animal that needs help, and how to do it safely,” Robertson says. Volunteers give the ambassadors name, but not the patients. “To name them is to humanize them, and we want them to be afraid of humans, to feel like we’re a threat.”

This facility is going to be just amazing for Manitoba’s wildlife. It will be the largest wildlife rehab initiative in central North America That’s why when an adorable baby bobcat arrived at Wildlife Haven a year ago after being found shivering, dehydrated and hungry with her mother nowhere in sight, she was mostly left on her own, other than the basic care needed to nurse her to health until her release in June. “We’re a hospital, not a zoo. It’s about giving them quiet time and letting them recover,” says Robertson. The feline patient was definitely rare for Wildlife Haven, which takes in mostly birds, with mammals, reptiles and amphibians making up the remaining 30 per cent of patients. “We rely on our volunteers to go pick up the wildlife and look after them, feed them, do setups, build buildings and go out to do the education programming. We have some amazing volunteers from every walk of life. They’re a great mix of people with different skill sets, but all of them have a desire to help wildlife.”

1053 Provincial Trunk Hwy 59, Ile des Chênes, Manitoba P.O. Box 165, R0A 0T0 204-878-3740 wildlifehaven.ca

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Dr. Manfred Ziesmann, President & CEO, Ziesmann Cosmetic Clinic

Dr. Manfred Ziesmann has come a long way as a plastic surgeon By Brook Jones

Dr. Manfred Ziesmann has been helping women and men feel great about themselves since 2004. Ziesmann, who has been a plastic surgeon in Winnipeg since the mid 1980s, first opened Ziesmann Cosmetic Clinic just over 10 years ago. As clients enter his clinic they will notice a slogan on his office wall that reads ‘You keep adding on the years...We keep taking them away’. The plastic surgeon graduated from the University of Manitoba (U of M) back in 1980 with a degree in medicine. After finishing his medical residency in the field of plastic surgery in 1986, he then spent one year in Toronto where he become more familiar with micro surgery. “Plastic surgery is not what people see on television with the Hollywood plastic surgeons,” he noted. “They don’t realize that we do most of the hand injuries in the province, such as burns, frost bite, congenital deformities. It’s a lot more than just nose jobs and breast implants. Upon returning to Winnipeg a year later, Ziesmann was the only micro surgeon trained at the Health Sciences Centre. He said that micro surgery has become an even greater part of the plastic surgery training in Manitoba and that the procedures have evolved substantially over the past 30 years. “Most people when they finish their residency have adequate exposure to micro surgery,” Ziesmann noted. “When we first started doing micro surgery back in 1987-88, a case use to take eight to 10 hours and now we’re down to four or five hours. The more you do, the better you get.” Ziesmann is still connected with U of M as he teaches part time while running his own cosmetic clinic. He is also involved with cosmetic surgeries at the Health Sciences Centre, but only one and half days per week. He spends the remainder of the week performing cosmetic surgery at his clinic. “I don’t want to do one or the other exclusively because they complement each other,” Ziesmann said. He explained that cosmetic surgery has become more common during the past decade because it’s less taboo in society. Ziesmann said that office-based cosmetic surgery procedures are the fastest growing area in the plastic surgery industry, therefore, he decided to pursue the avenue of running his own clinic. These procedures include botox, breast augmentation, liposuction, and tummy tucks. “The growth in those areas has far out stripped the growth in cosmetic surgery. One of the more popular procedures at the clinic are Botox Injections. Botox targets dynamic wrinkles, which are caused by repeated muscular contractions, such as frowning. The injection treatment works by relaxing the muscles that cause

these particular wrinkles, which results in more relaxed facial expressions and a refreshed appearance. Another new treatment at the cosmetic clinic for wrinkle reduction is the use of a fractional C02 laser. Ziesmann said the greatest benefit of the newer C02 laser procedure is that it’s greatly reduced the down time for the client from approximately 10 to 14 days to as low as five days. “C02 lasers were the original lasers used for cosmetic surgery for wrinkle reduction. It’s basically a controlled burn and you’re burning off the outer layers of skin with the wrinkles,”

We’re using the fractional C02 laser more and more. It gives you the same effect of improvement with less down time because the healing is much quicker and it’s better tolerated Ziesmann said. “We’re using the fractional C02 laser more and more. It gives you the same effect of improvement with less down time because the healing is much quicker and it’s better tolerated.” Technology has come a long way, especially in the way of removing fat deposits. Ziesmann said he has been offering a procedure since January in which he is able to remove these fat deposits through a nonsurgical method with the use of radio frequency waves. He noted clients are satisfied with the procedure specifically since it’s done at the clinic without any down time for the client. “It eats up the fat and kills the fats cells,” Ziesmann added. “It’s the only nonsurgical fat reduction method that will also tighten skin.”

560-201 Portage Avenue 204-942-5070 www.ziesmanncosmetic.com MANITOBA BUSINESS PROFILE • 2015

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Crown Royal has a long history in Canada, celebrating its 75th Dining anniversary last year with a Specialties celebratory blend. Wine Rooms Special Events Catering By Brook Jones

The first exquisite blend of Crown Royal Canadian whisky was crafted from 50 select whiskies, dressed in the finest cut glass and wrapped in purple robes, to commemorate the first grand tour of Canada by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, in 1939. And in truly noble fashion, this bottle of Crown Royal was placed on the Royal train as a symbol of the hardworking and genuine nature of the Canadian people. Fast forward from its early beginning to today and the legacy of Crown Royal remains the same as how it began with the epitome of Canadian whisky, which leaves the consumer with a smooth taste and a regal style all its own. Crown Royal is regarded as Canada’s leading premium Canadian whisky. It’s created with a tradition as rich and distinctive as its taste. The product is made from milled corn, rye and malted barley, and distilled to the highest standards. These whiskies are aged in both seasoned and new white oak barrels and eventually selected at their optimum maturity to create the Crown Royal blend. Crown Royal’s latest whisky is Maple Finished. It’s the legendary taste of Crown Royal with a touch of natural maple flavour. The master blender finished the celebrated whisky with maple toasted oak to yield a uniquely smooth experience. It’s a perfect

185 Lombard Avenue | Winnipeg, MB Tel: 204-944-1180 www.baileysprimedining.com 56

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blend of Crown Royal’s signature caramel and vanilla nose with the elegant aromas of light, fresh maple that creates a flavour profile that finished on an authentically warm and woody note. Crown Royal Limited Edition is majestically blended with select batch-distilled whiskies to create an exceptionally smooth and rich taste that could only come from the Kingdom of Crown Royal. Perfection is worth the wait as the whiskies are extraaged to ensure their highest quality. This additional aging gives the unique blend more body, smoothness and complexity. With its array of exceptional whiskies, Crown Royal Limited Edition is the ultimate Canadian whisky blend for any connoisseur. With its rich flavour and pleasant bouquet, Crown Royal can be served ‘on the rocks’, ‘straight up’ or also in a variety of cocktails.

crownroyal.ca

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