Business Leader Autumn 2019 by WHA Publications Ltd.

wa BUSINESS LEADER

FALL EDITION 2019

OF T

WELLIN

A DV E R T

CO M

WELLINGTON COUNTY

North Wellington Co-op Celebrating 75 years in business

ASKETT APPLIANCE CENTRE A mainstay in Palmerston for 50 years

LLOYD SCOTT ENTERPRISES Fifty years as a fixture in Alma

IVAN ARMSTRONG TRUCKING Celebrating five decades in Arthur

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2 | BUSINESS LEADER WELLINGTON COUNTY

519.821.0520 1.877.525.5225

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NEW TRUCKS

contents IVAN ARMSTRONG TRUCKING

THE WATER COOLER

CHAMBER ROUND-UP

LLOYD SCOTT ENTERPRISES

ASKETT APPLIANCE CENTRE

BIA ROUND-UP

TASTE DETOURS

MRS. GROCERY

NORTH WELLINGTON CO-OP

INNOVATION GUELPH

GRAND OPENINGS

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

THE SOCIAL CORNER

BUSINESS LEADER

PUBLISHER DAVE ADSETT EDITOR CHRIS DAPONTE ASSOCIATE EDITOR JAIME MYSLIK WRITERS MIKE ROBINSON, PATRICK RAFTIS ARYN STRICKLAND, PHIL GRAVELLE SALES DREW MOCHRIE, FAYE CRAIG, GLENN GEORGE, CRYSTAL SEIFRIED LAYOUT & DESIGN HELEN MICHEL GRAPHIC DESIGNERS JACQUELINE FURFARO, STEVE GILHOLM DIGITAL MEDIA EDITOR KELLY WATERHOUSE

Contact us Business Leader Magazine 905 Gartshore Street, Box 252 Fergus, Ontario N1M 2W8 Email: businessleader@wellingtonadvertiser.com *COVER PHOTO by Jaime Myslik: North Wellington Co-operative Services Inc. general manager Kelly Boyle

Can you believe it?

As significant milestones pass for small businesses the question “Can you believe it?” will no doubt form part of the conversation. As it stands, according to the Business Development Bank of Canada, only half of new firms (51%) survive their fifth year of operation. Other sources suggest the numbers aren’t that dire, but suffice to say starting a business does not mean it will automatically be a success. Even reaching five years in business doesn’t mean it will last 25, 50, let alone 75 years. This month’s Business Leader features numerous companies, either rooted in family or the rural tradition, that have reached milestones few do. Reading over the stories a few points seem to stand out as obvious shared characteristics for success that owners of young companies should note. Times and technology change While an obvious concept, it was actually a quote from an older farmer read elsewhere that sums this point up. They were chatting old tractors and the great power plants of the past when the dad said “look, they were great, but I like our new stuff.” The thing is, there are processes that work fine and equipment that gets the job done, but wise owners are always looking for new ways to cut down on labour, improve efficiency and offer greater safety benefits for workers. It’s called working smart. The upside to keeping current is this maximizes the value of the enterprise in the event the owner thinks to sell. Buyers want businesses with a plan so they don’t need to retool or reinvent the company.

longevity. Within the stories on high achievers this week, we note keen family members and well-hired employees make all the difference in the world. There needs to be a vision and that needs to be embraced by everyone from the owner to the managers to the workers. If everyone does their part, chances are excellent that success will ensue. Stay in your lane Over time businesses tend to morph into something larger than originally anticipated. Some find great success operating in a niche market, whereas other growing businesses establish side-lines that make sense. Where the problem enters in, is when a business expands outside its comfort zone and takes on a new line of work that is not complemented by its original purpose. Many of the businesses covered in this issue still have familiarity with their founding principles. Honesty and integrity If one were to burrow deeper into the business acumen of long-standing businesses it would be quite obvious that integrity and honesty are why they are successful. Going the extra mile to keep a customer happy, never burning bridges in the community or with a customer, and simply doing what they say they will do has earned many companies decades of success. In this Business Leader we salute those who have been successful for so long. Congratulations and best wishes for many more years of success in business.

People, people, people Just as location, location, location is a time honoured requirement for buying the best real estate – people, people, people is an absolute must if a business is to excel and have

DAVE ADSETT, PUBLISHER

BUSINESS LEADER WELLINGTON COUNTY | 3

Ivan Armstrong Trucking Delivering beyond expectations for 50 years By Mike Robinson ARTHUR - In 50 years Ivan Armstrong Trucking has grown from a livestock hauler with two trucks to a firm shipping automotive parts across eastern North America. “The foundation of Ivan Armstrong Trucking remains the same today as it did back in 1969 when Ivan Armstrong began with one truck hauling for local area farmers,” states the company website. It adds Armstrong’s philosophy was simple and holds true today: - the customer always comes first; and - by following all procedural guidelines ... any and all safety and regulatory issues will be of no concern to the customer or any Ivan Armstrong Trucking associates. “The result of this simple yet strictly enforced philosophy is a customer that is always completely satisfied and associates that take pride in the Ivan Armstrong Trucking brand,” states the website. Compnay controller Amy Van Ankum explained her father started the business in 1969 as a livestock hauler with one straight truck and one pot bellied (livestock) transport truck. At the time, the company was located near Kenilworth. He continued hauling livestock until the mid-1980s when the farm economy shifted and he began hauling for Quality Homes. Van Ankum explained the trucking company hauled prefabricated housing sections. From there the trucking firm began hauling for Excell Stamping. That led into much of the the current workload: hauling auto parts.

“I would say about 80 per cent of what we haul now is autoparts,” Van Ankum said, noting the company now hauls for Musashi, TGMinto and other auto part plants. She explained, “In 1999 we moved from

“In 1999 we moved from Kenilworth to just outside of Arthur on 10 acres of land along Line 2, just off the Conn Road (Wellington Road 14). From then, we’ve grown from five trucks to 55 power units.” - AMY VAN ANKUM, CONTROLLER, IVAN ARMSTRONG TRUCKING

Kenilworth to just outside of Arthur on 10 acres of land along Line 2, just off the Conn Road (Wellington Road 14). From then, we’ve grown from five trucks to 55 power units.” Ivan Armstrong Trucking now encompasses 50,000 square feet of warehouse space, plus a location in Mount Forest, Van Ankum said. The large equipment servicing area allows for in-house year round maintenance

4 | BUSINESS LEADER WELLINGTON COUNTY

of all equipment. By performing its own repairs and inspections, work is always completed in accordance with Armstrong’s exacting standards. The warehouse is climate controlled to ensure the integrity of all products in longterm or in transit storage. Ivan Armstrong Trucking officials are proud to be accredited with the “International Standards Organization”, ISO 9001 registration. Products hauled by Armstrong traverse the auto corridor that includes Michigan, Ohio, Indianna, Kentucky and Tennessee. “It’s either parts going down or parts coming up,” said Van Ankum. She added there’s a lot of hauling within Ontario as well. “We go as far south as Alabama and as far north as Timmins. We don’t go too far west and we don’t go down to Texas ... right now.” She adds “if it worked out for both parties, we’d definitely go in that direction.” LOCAL TIES Over the years the company has continued its involvement in the local community. “We’re members of the chamber of commerce, we try to hire local people and we try to help in the community where we can,” said Van Ankum. Armstrong supports minor sports, Wellington North Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Bowl for Kids Sake event and Get In Touch For Hutch. A few years ago the company donated a

DIANE AND IVAN ARMSTRONG IVAN ARMSTRONG

few older trucks to the local fire department to be set on fire as part of live practice.

PHOTOS: SUBMITTED

COMPANY ATMOSPHERE VanAnkum said “we’ve tried to keep it a family business - when we hire someone they become part of the family. We try to keep it that way.” As a result, “We still have a fairly ‘small feel’ because ... the employees who work on site ... We’re not just co-workers, we’re family,” she said. “But the bulk of our employees are on the road, so there is a small-office atmosphere.” She added, “The way we run a lot of our trucks we try to maintain a family atmosphere in the sense that we make sure our guys are home for their time off - so

they are not on the road. We try to promote that their time off, whether it is on the weekend or during the middle of the week, allows them to be here at home.” VanAnkum said, “We’re in a business where there is steady growth and we are always looking for new drivers.” THE EQUIPMENT The company website states “Our customers’ requirements vary from the expedite of a small carton to the long distance transport of goods to the United States to the acquisition of import container from around the world. “Ivan Armstrong Trucking is continually upgrading and expanding the fleet to meet our customers’ individual requirements.”

North Wellington Warehousing, a subsidiary of Ivan Armstrong Trucking, is a large modern facility with a large, updated heated warehouse with cross docking and storage capabilities. The mission, as stated on its website, is “a committment to ensuring safe, efficient and reliable transportation services ... at competitive rates and to continually strive for quality and safety improvement” in the conduct of business and relationships with customers.

BUSINESS LEADER WELLINGTON COUNTY | 5

JIM ESTILL Danby’s Jim Estill is at it again. The Guelph-Eramosa innovator and philanthropist, who received the Order of Canada earlier this year, is once again up for a prestigious award. Jim has been chosen as a finalist for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. He was chosen as a finalist for the Ontario region in the Business to Consumer Products and Services category. Jim owns Danby Appliances and has expanded the company and helped create innovative and new technology and products. He has also been instrumental in bringing numerous Syrian refugee families to Canada. ARTHUR AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The Arthur Chamber of Commerce has a new president. Tom Gorecki is the owner of the Arthur Foodland.

THE WATER COOLER MOUNT FOREST CHAMBER REBRANDING After 70 years, the Mount Forest Chamber has updated its brand identity. The chamber has also updated its look on social media and released a brand-new website at https://mountforest. ca.

PEARLE HOSPITALITY The holding zone on a portion of the Pearle Hospitality land at 6528 Wellington Road 7 was recently removed by Centre Wellington council. The land is scheduled for a condominium development and another hotel. This move paves the way for site plan approval and ultimately the building permit application. WOWSA Women of Wellington Saugeen Area (WOWSA) is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The group works to connect women business owners and professionals in the area. The anniversary event took place on Sept. 26 from 6 to 8pm at the Mount Forest Fire Station. Rochelle Ivri joined WOWSA for the event. She is a Canadian citizenship judge and paralegal professor at Mohawk College, who will spoke on “The Next 10: What Women in Leadership Need to Grow Our Success, Satisfaction and Sustainability In The Next Ten Years.” The event celebrated how WOWSA has grown, the impact the group has had in the community and the group’s goals for the next 10 years. For more information about WOWSA visit www.wowsa.ca.

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Total Rescue Can Meet All Your Safety and Rescue Training Needs ENNOTVILLE - For over a decade, Total Rescue has provided training programs for various industries throughout Canada and the U.S. The name is likely familiar to those in the construction industry, but some people may not realize the company is based right here, in Wellington County. “This is the perfect place to set up shop,” says owner/ director Randy MacLean of Total Rescue’s headquarters in Ennotville, between Fergus and Guelph directly on HWY 6. Formed in 2007, Total Rescue has established itself as a trusted source for companies looking to fulfill various safety training needs. “We look after it all for them,” says MacLean. Twelve years ago, Total Rescue started as “a very niche thing focusing on medical and rescue,” he notes, but it soon grew to much more than that. “I couldn’t keep up with the demand... so I thought I would make this my career.” Then, in 2016, “it just skyrocketed.” That was the year the company merged with Total Fire Solutions in Alberta, Canada and became incorporated. “The Total Group of Companies” now includes: Total Rescue, Total Fire Solutions and Total Medical. It has three locations - one in Ontario and two in Alberta - operated by MacLean and business partners Ben Baker, Camerin Wright and Jerad Davis. In Ontario, the group operates primarily under the Total Rescue banner, with a heavy focus on the construction and industrial sectors. Total Rescue, which operates seven days a week, now boasts 7 full-time employees and 30-plus independent contractors using the latest in equipment and industry trends. “We take this very seriously,” says MacLean, noting

the company and employees are members of various industry associations as well hold numerous professional designations. The two largest mandated training programs in Ontario are Working at Heights and Standard/Emergency First Aid. Total Rescue developed its own Working at Heights course

“I want people to know we’re here, in their own backyard, to help them out where we can.” - RANDY MACLEAN TOTAL RESCUE

and became an Approved Provider with the MOL in 2016 and last year alone, the company trained over 4,000 people. Other programs offered include rope rescue, rope access, confined space entry and rescue, WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System), Elevated/aerial work platform, forklift, health and safety awareness and more. Total Rescue facilitates 20 to 50 courses per month, including weekly working at heights courses and WSIB-approved first aid courses at its training facility in Ennotville. But they also do a lot of work on-site for clients throughout Canada and the U.S.

“We have courses going seven days a week all over,” MacLean says. Total Rescue staff members come from a wide variety of backgrounds, including fire fighting, EMS and rope access. The company tries to pair clients with the representative best suited to meet their specific needs. Total Rescue has clients of all sizes and has even worked with a local school board to develop its Specialist High Skills Major program. “The feedback we receive is always fantastic,” says MacLean, whose areas of expertise include rope access, rope rescue and confined space. Born and raised in Guelph, he now lives in Fergus with his wife

Nicole and their two young daughters, Myelle and Jocelyn. Clients within Wellington County appreciate working with a local company like Total Rescue. “I want people to know we’re here, in their own backyard, to help them out where we can,” MacLean says. Total Rescue 6006 Highway 6 519-400-8530 randy@totalrescue.ca www.totalrescue.ca Follow us on Social Media: Facebook total fire solutions Instagram @totalfireandrescue

BUSINESS LEADER WELLINGTON COUNTY | 7

Chamber Round-Up BL

How do you celebrate big anniversaries of members?

Arthur Tom Gorecki

This year the Arthur and District Chamber of Commerce is holding a Community Awards Ceremony on Oct. 17 in conjunction with the AGM dinner. For years the Arthur Chamber has recognized a Citizen of the Year, but this year two new categorizes are added: Corporate Citizen of the Year and Outstanding Business Award. We are also creating a questionnaire for members to provide the chamber with information on years in service, special anniversaries etc. so members can be recognized throughout the year.

Centre Wellington Dana Burdenuk

We’re pleased to recognize our members’ significant anniversaries through our website and social media posts, our bi-weekly member newsletter The Pulse and by attending and promoting anniversary celebration events our members plan. We also recognize and celebrate all local businesses (members and non-members alike) who reach 25 and 40-year anniversary milestones at the annual Awards of Excellence Gala. We’d like to remind all local business owners and leaders to please let us know if you’re celebrating a significant milestone anniversary so that we can share your proud accomplishment.

Mapleton Neil Driscoll

Big or small we celebrate them all! With a nice floral arrangement, shout outs on our social media and mention in our newsletter. If businesses are hosting celebratory event we will have a representative there to help celebrate! Don’t forget to contact us and let us know what’s happening.

Mount Forest Devon Madden

We recognize business anniversaries as important milestones that strengthen our community. The Mount Forest District Chamber of Commerce is also celebrating its 70th year in business. We are looking at ways to include our membership anniversaries in our own celebration, and ways we can commemorate these ongoing achievements. Our newly launched website will provide opportunities to share events and membership news. We encourage our members to use these resources to promote all celebrations.

Minto John Mock

We love our members and have several Minto businesses that have been around for 20, 50 or 100 years and that needs to be celebrated! Each Spring at our Annual Community Achievement Awards we honour these businesses and share their story of success.

8 | BUSINESS LEADER WELLINGTON COUNTY

Arthur Tom Gorecki President

Centre Wellington Dana Burdenuk General Manager

How did the first three quarters of the year go for your membership? What is the fall outlook for businesses in your area?

Arthur Tom Gorecki

2019 continues to prove very successful. The Arthur Chamber 2019-20 memberships have risen more than 15% from previous years. As our community continues to grow and welcome new businesses we are optimistic our active memberships will continue to grow. We are looking forward to what is to come this fall.

Centre Wellington Dana Burdenuk

Last winter was economically challenging for many businesses, however, the first three quarters saw a renewed focus on generating new opportunities, forming new partnerships and persevering with the day to day activities required to maintain and grow business. We’re hearing a very optimistic outlook for the fall. We look forward to providing connections and collaboration opportunities, seeking member feedback and getting in front of issues and concerns that impact businesses.

Mapleton Neil Driscoll

Early this spring our executive changed and we are just getting settled into our new roles. We are looking forward to developing our programing, reaching out to our members and making the connections in the coming months.

Mount Forest Devon Madden

Our memberships come from an array of business sectors, each one having their own busy seasons and challenges. We are fortunate to have a steady economy and the support of the Wellington North Township and Mount Forest Revitalization Committee that assist current and prospected members with implemented programs, grants and guidance. Programs including the Facade Improvement Program assist business owners with any improvements required to the outside of the building. The outlook for the fall remains steady.

Minto John Mock

Businesses have their ups and downs; however, Minto businesses have remained steady and many are growing or expanding. The spring/summer season is always active and with the new #HarristonRising and #AllAboardPalmerston initiatives we are seeing exciting things happen that attract attention and traffic into our businesses. During the fall and holiday season many local businesses and community members come together with the town and the Chamber to create ways to encourage people to spend time in the downtown cores. All of these seemingly “little” things have has a big impact.

Mapleton Neil Driscoll President

Minto John Mock President

A year into a new municipal government, how would you characterize your chamber’s interactions with the municipality?

Arthur Tom Gorecki

Working with a new municipal government is always going to be a challenge. However, as long as the lines of communication are open obstacles can be worked through. The transition period has been smooth and so far we have had no major issues or hiccups. The municipality has been more than helpful in the transition period and open to our needs thus far. We hope that we can continue to have their support and reciprocate support to them.

Centre Wellington Dana Burdenuk

Being new to my role this summer, I’m excited and committed to develop and grow strong relationships with our municipal partners. We will continue to collaborate with the municipality to effectively cross-promote the excellent services, solutions, and programs that we collectively offer local businesses. I look forward to sharing the Chamber’s value proposition with the municipality, members and partners.

Mapleton Neil Driscoll

We are lucky enough to understand the ins and outs of municipal politics and have built an excellent rapport with the new council and staff at the municipality. Having their support for our new chamber is vital to our success. We look forward growing our relationship and developing f our partnership to better serve our businesses.

Mount Forest Devon Madden

Our municipal council did not see any changes with most council members acclaimed. The chamber’s interactions with the municipality have remained the same with continued collaborative partnerships, support and communication.

Mount Forest Devon Madden Administrator

What do you offer members for their membership fees?

Arthur Tom Gorecki

Aside from networking and influential power within our community, our members receive discounts and free services from our corporate partners, such as: FirstData, Chamber Group Insurance, Magnet and Puralotor. We also provide advertising for our members through our website and our yearly production of The North Wellington Guide. Lastly our members can participate on the chamber board of directors. Email: achamber@wightman.ca. Website: www.arthurchamber.ca.

Centre Wellington Dana Burdenuk

The chamber provides opportunities for local businesses to network and connect. We also offer creative ways to help businesses grow and develop through education sessions, affordable advertising and sponsorship options. CWCC advocates for and ensures that the voice of local businesses is heard at all levels of government through our partnerships with the Ontario and Canadian Chambers of Commerce. Some of other benefits include member-to-member discounts and affinity partner discount programs. Email: chamber@cwchamber.ca. Website: www.cwchamber.ca.

Mapleton Neil Driscoll

When you join the Mapleton Chamber of Commerce, not only are you joining a network of professionals who understand operating a business in the rural area but you are joining a family that supports one another. You get listed on our directory (online), access to benefit packages, newsletters and invitations to networking events for training and making connections. Email: members@mapletonchamber.ca. Website: www.mapletonchamber.ca.

Mount Forest Devon Madden

Members join a collaboration of many other business owners and community groups in the advancement of economic prosperity in Mount Forest. Membership includes membership with the Ontario and Canadian Chambers of Commerce. We strive to provide members with valuable networking and business development events. We also provide website recognition, social media, sponsorship opportunities and cross promotional opportunities. Email: chamber@mountforest.ca. Website: mountforest.ca.

Minto John Mock Minto John Mock

The Town of Minto and the Minto Chamber have an exceptional relationship and we partner on most projects. We also, have a shared staff member that works for both the town and the chamber which is very unique. Because of the close connect and aligned interest we feel that more support is available and it is easier to access.

The Minto Chamber is always trying to do better for our members. We have a robust affinity program that saves businesses money. Through our partnership with LaunchIt Minto businesses receive free or low-cost training, access to resources and advisors. We print 7,000 copies of our business directory and include all of our members in it. We share, promote and highlight our members on our social media platforms Email: info@mintochamber.on.ca. Website: mintochamber.on.ca.

BUSINESS LEADER WELLINGTON COUNTY | 9

Almaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lloyd Scott Enterprises Limited celebrates 50 years By Aryn Strickland

RICK, LEFT, AND JEFF SCOTT OF LLOYD SCOTT ENTERPRISES LIMITED

10 | BUSINESS LEADER WELLINGTON COUNTY

ALMA - In the midst of a typically busy fall season, Lloyd Scott Enterprises Limited celebrated its 50th anniversary here on Sept. 28. Currently located on Peel Street in Alma, the company has grown from an aluminum siding business to providing finishings to home renovations and new construction services in the area. Lloyd Scott established the business in 1969 out of his family home in Alma. Today the company, which specializes in windows, doors, siding and custom kitchen cabinetry, is run by his sons Rick and Jeff Scott, with 12 employees and an 8,800 square-foot showroom on Peel Street. “A quality job gets you quality referrals and that’s just been our business; dad instilled that in us when he started and he taught us that,” said Rick. The 50th anniversary open house meet and greet provided the family, including Lloyd, his wife Betty, Rick and Jeff Scott the opportunity to celebrate with other family members and the community that has supported the business over its many decades. “We really appreciate the people that came out to our 50th anniversary open house. We have worked for many people, many times over, so thank you for 50 years of patronage,” said Jeff.

TRENDS With over 30 years of experience working in the family business, Jeff and Rick Scott have seen home renovation trends come full circle.

“A quality job gets you quality referrals and that’s just been our business; dad instilled that in us when he started and he taught us that.” - RICK SCOTT, OWNER, LLOYD SCOTT ENTERPRISES

Having worked Saturdays and every summer for their father since they were 13, they have seen it all. “There is a lot of changes in 50 years and we were young, but we’ve been there through all of them,” Rick said with a laugh. Rick and Jeff both came on as full-time employees in 1979, with Rick focusing on advancing the tradition of siding installation with the addition of windows and doors. Meanwhile, Jeff brought back a focus on custom cabinetry and quality kitchen design. “We just came through a dark kitchen trend. The late 70s was when the last dark kitchen trend came through because we refaced a lot of those kitchens in the early 80s because people didn’t like the dark,” said Jeff. “Probably 10 years ago the dark kitchen trend came back in and now it’s gone again.” HISTORY Lloyd Scott began the company 50 years ago as a business that provided and

installed aluminum siding. Like generations before him, Lloyd started as a farmer. The Scott family had been farming three miles north of Alma since 1871. “We were mixed farming, dairy mixed, 30 cows and 100 head of livestock, lots of pigs and chickens,” said Jeff. “[Dad] was happy doing the alterations around the farm and fixing things up. He just wasn’t born to be a farmer.” In 1969 Lloyd was putting some siding on an addition on the farm house when siding salesman Don Edwards, who became a longtime friend of the family, suggested that Lloyd could turn it into a business. “It was basically a second career,” said Rick. Not much later, the Scott family moved into town and began running the business out of the house. From their earliest years Rick and Jeff got involved with the business. At ages 12 and 14 they built their father a 22-by-24 foot work garage behind the house. Rick and Jeff attribute much of the business’ success to their farming work ethic. “It’s like farming, really it is,” said Jeff. “It’s a farming mentality that we have because we work when there is work and whether that’s a 12-hour day or a 14-hour day, it happens ... it is just like farming. You make hay when the sun shines.” However, the brothers add the business’ success could not have been achieved without the dedication of their employees. Many Lloyd Scott Enterprises employees have stayed with the company for 15 years - and one has been with the company for almost 35 years. “We have always had really conscientious employees; long-term, very conscientious employees and that’s also been what has made us successful,” said Jeff. Now the Scott family is looking towards the not-too-distant future, when the business will pass from its second generation to its third generation. Rick’s son-in-law Ryan Osburn and Jeff’s son Brock Scott have been heavily involved in management of the business and are poised to take the helm in the years to come.

PHOTOS: ARYN STRICKLAND

THE COMPANY Today the company’s main focus is supplying new construction, and retrofitting existing buildings, with windows and doors and kitchen design, manufacturing, installation and refacing. Most of the business’ clientele remains within an hour’s drive from Alma, including places like Guelph and Wellington North. “Typically our area is an hour max. The odd time you do some jobs farther away on a referral - family friends and a referral sort of situation - but everybody is back home at night,” explained Rick. While the company witnessed major changes in its first few decades, in more recent years it has maintained its size and workload. “We’ve stayed pretty consistent size wise,” Rick said. “Deliberately,” Jeff added. Much of their success they attribute to

small-town values. “I think that helps us ... serve people better because there is no pressure. We are not a high pressure city kind of a pace. We are very professional about what we do, but we are not pushy and that’s a smalltown sort of a thing,” said Jeff.

BUSINESS LEADER WELLINGTON COUNTY | 11

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Arnott stresses economic benefits of Highway 6 bypass in Morriston

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PUSLINCH - Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott continues his efforts to keep the Morriston bypass project at the forefront of the province’s initiatives. On Aug. 14 Puslinch councillors reviewed Arnott’s July 25 letter to Ontario Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney. Arnott stated that on July 15, he met with the MTO’s director of stakeholders and appointments Ryan Amato, about the need for the Highway 6 Morriston Bypass. His letter was a follow-up on that conversation. “As I have previously shared with you and your predecessors, the Highway 6 Morriston Bypass project was previously set as a transportation infrastructure priority.” Arnott stated, “I know you will want to consider this project for the government’s short-term investment plan as a way to improve the flow of traffic along our major highways and bring new economic opportunities to the province.” Arnott commented that he has assertively supported this project for many years, on behalf of his constituents. “Highway 6 is an important economic corridor, which links Wellington County and the 401 to the Hamilton/Niagara Region, and onwards to the United States border. Arnott noted the current bottleneck on Highway 6 in Morriston causes traffic jams that often extend for several kilometres.

“I know you will want to consider this project for the government’s short-term investment plan as a way to improve the flow of traffic along our major highways and bring new economic opportunities to the province.” - WELLINGTON-HALTON HILLS MPP TED ARNOTT

“Over the years, we have established a strong economic case for prioritizing the Highway 6 Morriston Bypass. A review of your ministry’s files will confirm that building it will benefit a large area of the province and support job creation and retention,” he added. Arnott attached a number of slides from the Morriston Bypass Coalition, which include many major corporations, including Sleemans, Maple Leaf Foods and Tim Hortons, as well as many business and community organizations, further highlighting the economic benefits of the bypass. “Working together, we advocated across party lines to secure the Ministry of Transportation’s support for the Highway 6 Morriston Bypass.” Arnott stated, “We welcomed the former government’s announcement on March 29, 2016 that the project would proceed.” “It is my hope that the Highway 6 Morriston Bypass be included in the ministry’s new Highway Capital Plan, as it has a strong business case and had previously been announced as a priority by the Government of Ontario.” Arnott then asked to be kept in informed on any updates to this important project.

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BUSINESS LEADER WELLINGTON COUNTY | 13

Askett Appliance Centre a mainstay in Palmerston’s downtown since 1969 By Patrick Raftis

KEITH ASKETT, ASKETT APPLIANCE CENTRE

PALMERSTON – Keith Askett has seen a lot of businesses come and go from the vantage point of his Main Street appliance store here. Operating from the same location since it opened in 1969, Askett Appliance Centre has been an anchor of stability in Palmerston’s downtown for the past 50 years, thriving or surviving through up and down cycles in the local economy. “All the other stores have came and went, drug stores and shoe stores and whatever else there’s been,” said the longtime businessman in a recent interview. There were no other appliance stores in town when Askett first opened his doors five decades ago, although a local plumber who sold some washing machines had recently retired. “I was working on the railroad and the railroad seemed to be dying out here and I didn’t want to move to the city, which I would have had to do with the railroad. I’m mechanically inclined, so I like fixing things, so it seemed like appliances were the way to go for me,” he recalls. Askett said he has seen “tremendous change” in the appliance business over the years. When he started, most of the appliances

he sold were manufactured within the region, in nearby places like Fergus, Guelph or Cambridge, while many of the products he sells today are imported.

“I was working on the railroad and the railroad seemed to be dying out here and I didn’t want to move to the city, which I would have had to do with the railroad. I’m mechanically inclined, so I like fixing things, so it seemed like appliances were the way to go for me.” - KEITH ASKETT,

OWNER, ASKETT APPLIANCE CENTRE

Back then, repair work was a big part of his business. “Wringer washers were the biggest headaches of course. People would get

14 | BUSINESS LEADER WELLINGTON COUNTY

their clothes stuck in the wringer and the gear would break so they had to fix them quite often. All there was (in the store) were stoves and fridges and wringer washers in those days,” he said. Today, he notes, appliance repair is as much about computers as it is about motors. “It’s a specialized field now.” Askett said most of his clientele has always come from within about a 20-mile radius. While the market for new appliances has always “had its ups and downs,” he points out “we’ve sold a lot of other things” ranging from televisions and radios, to eight-track players and the recorded tapes that went with them. “Tapes were a big seller back then. One thing leads to another. You just keep adding items as they’re developed.” Also, he recalls, “For quite a few years we had ladies clothing, which subsidized everything else. We ended up doing very well with the clothing.” During the early years of running the store, Askett also spent four years as a councillor of the former town of Palmerston and a total of 14 years (“with a couple of breaks”) as the community’s mayor.

While he believed it was an important way to participate in his community, Askett said it wasn’t always easy being both a local business owner and a politician. “There were times it was difficult, and times you missed out on business too, because you make a decision or say something on council that turns people off, well you suffer for that,” he stated. Although he didn’t hire much help over the years, Askett said he was fortunate to be able to rely on family members to run the store when he couldn’t be there. “I chose to run it myself,” he said. Askett believes a laid back approach to sales has been among the things that helped him stay in business over the years. “Some people are better at talking people into buying things than I am. I’ve always left it up to the people. I worry every time I’m selling something that it’s going to be good, it’s not going to be breaking down on them. If I talk you into buying this washing machine and it breaks down on you then you’re going to be mad at me because I sold it to you,” he explains. Providing delivery of appliances and

BIA ROUND-UP HOW DID YOUR MEMBERS FARE OVER THE SUMMER SEASON? CB: Village of Erin businesses and merchants enjoyed a hot summer, which we found brought extra traffic from visitors where our close proximity made for a nice day trip. Certainly it got everyone excited for our Late Summer Lemonade Party. FG: In Fergus it has been a great season with only a minor traffic disruption for the completion of the St. David Street Bridge. In Elora, continued construction on West Mill Street continues to be detrimental to robust sales. CHRIS BAILEY ERIN BIA CHAIR ERIN Email: villageoferin@gmail.com Website: villageoferin.com

PHOTO: P. 14 PATRICK RAFTIS

HOW DOES INTERNAL/EXTERNAL SEASONAL DECORATING IMPACT FOOT TRAFFIC IN STORES AND BUSINESSES? CB: Seasonal decorating helps to give the downtown a “fresh” look and to get noticed by new and returning customers. Merchants who make the effort to ensure their business looks sharp and “in season” tend to create greater confidence with the consumer, as it is clear they are serious about providing quality, dependability and current products and services. FRED GORDON FERGUS AND ELORA BIA ADMINISTRATOR

pick up of old machines, a service he still offers, has also helped draw customers over the years. However, he notes, it’s less a factor today. “Today the young people like to shop at the big stores and everybody has a pickup truck so they can buy their washers in the city and throw them in the back of the truck. It makes a difference on business that’s for sure,” he said. Also, he added, today’s appliances are “not as heavy either.” At 84, Askett continues opening the store each weekday at 10am and closing at 5pm, with varying hours on Saturdays as well. For now, he has no plans to change the routine. “Someday I’ll retire,” is all he’ll say.

CB: Fall is a wonderful season for visitors and residents in the Village of Erin with the fall colours and special fall events. Our BIA is planning to welcome visitors with some seasonal decorating, and to work with our local Erin Fall Fair – Ontario’s Preview to the Royal Winter Fair – to encourage visitors to return to the Village of Erin in the lead up to Christmas. FG: In Elora there is Monster month planned for the duration of October. Creepy sculptures decorate the town to the delight of locals and visitors alike. Sponsored in part by the Elora BIA. In Fergus the haunted ghost walk series continues and gets more heavily attended every season.

“Today the young people like to shop at the big stores and everybody has a pickup truck so they can buy their washers in the city and throw them in the back of the truck. It makes a difference on business that’s for sure.” - KEITH ASKETT

WHAT PROJECTS DO YOU HAVE PLANNED FOR THE FALL SEASON?

FERGUS Email: fergusbia@gmail.com Website: downtownfergus.com

ELORA Email: elorabia@wightman.ca Website: elora.info

FG: A tidy, well decorated shop is always more inviting and welcoming. Both community’s downtowns work hard to decorate both seasonally, and for special events, such as the highland games, Medieval Faire, fall fair, etc. IN WHAT WAYS CAN AN ESTABLISHED, LONGSTANDING BUSINESS IMPACT A DOWNTOWN? CB: Established, longstanding businesses often represent an anchor for a downtown’s other merchants. These businesses have established a brand with the consumer, and both visitors and locals alike have come to depend on them. This can be a benefit for a downtown; while other businesses may come and go, retention of established businesses helps to ensure the downtown continues to meet with consumer’s expectations. However, longstanding businesses can also create an element of risk for a downtown, in the case of a closure, which sometimes leads to long-term vacancies, or in cases where the established business fails to continue to meet consumer’s expectations and to adapt. FG: Established businesses are perhaps the most essential part of a downtown core. These establishments often have “built in” clientele who make the facility their “go to” place. As these clients come and go, they notice and/or stop in other newer, less established businesses and check them out. Established businesses are also a key visual in gauging the success of a downtown core. If established businesses are there, you have a solid downtown core.

BUSINESS LEADER WELLINGTON COUNTY | 15

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ELORA - Taste Detours is now offering the Grand Food Tour in Elora. The venture came to be with encouragement from Elora-Fergus Tourism, Wellington County’s Taste Real and RT04 Regional Tourism Organization. The Grand Food Tour will take guests on a walking tour of six local eateries to sample their fare and share information about the faces behind the flavour. In between these tasting stops, Taste Detours will point out places of historical, architectural, and cultural heritage. Business owner Lynn Broughton says she feels honoured to be breaking bread in such a magical spot; a place where she lived a long time ago. “It feels natural to have our tours in both Guelph in Elora,” she said. “There are shared agricultural roots within Wellington County, even historic connections. “Telling these stories through food and drink — connecting our regional flavours, even slowing down and connecting people with each other — is the very essence of Taste Detours.” Broughton said she hopes to keep growing Taste Detours’ offerings with parner businesses in the future. Tickets for The Grand Food Tour are available at tastedetours. ca.

CONGRATULATIONS T

Steve Allen

Financial Advisor Associate Manulife Securities Incorporated

Dan Allen: 226.383.2630 Dan.Allen@manulifesecurities.ca

Taste Detours launches The Grand Food Tour in Elora

Steve Allen: 226.383.2630 S.Allen@manulifesecurities.ca

181 St. Andrew Street East, Unit #8, FERGUS Manulife Securities Incorporated is a Member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund.

G. W I L L I A M C O R B Y O N H

RETIREMENT FROM TH PRACTICE OF LAW

SorbaraLaw congratulates G. William (“Bill”) Corby as he retires from of lawSafter O 43 Ryears B Aof serving R A theLcommunities A W I Sof Centre-Wellington

a leading of the P Bill L EhasAbeen SE D Tmember O W E Wellington-County L C O M E legal comm

Melissa Crowley

1976, as both a trusted advisor and advocate. Bill has represented h

clients over the years in the areas of family law, wills & estates, and civ

SorbaraLaw takes this opportunity to recognize and thank Bill for h

Southern Belles Catering formerly Scarlett’s Restaurant

Operated by Wendy & Fred Gottmers

SorbaraLaw welcomes Melissa for her clients, both in and outside to contributions the firm where shecommunities will of theand courtroom. SorbaraLaw to our to wish him the very best of a we be serving clients in Centre offers exceptional legal services Wellington its surrounding to individuals, businesses, deservedand retirement! communities in the areas of real institutions, and governmental estate, commercial law, wills bodies both around the and SorbaraLaw invites Bill’s&clients, and members ofcorner the Centre-Wellingto estates, and family law. Melissa across the world. We invite you to is community, a passionate to andtake thoughtful Melissa at 519.843.4400 advantagecontact of SorbaraLaw’s experience and full-servi advocate who is focused on or mcrowley@sorbaralaw.com legal excellence. obtaining cost effective results to take advantage of our services.

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NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO RESERVE FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS PARTY! We prepare and serve elegant formal dinners, hors d’oeuvres, luncheons, and specialize in lunch & dinners for factory shifts. Menus tailored to fit your budget. Call Wendy at 519.824.8763 or email: southernbellesbelwood@gmail.com 16 | BUSINESS LEADER WELLINGTON COUNTY

WATERLOO 31 Union Street East Waterloo, ON N2J 1B8 T: 519.741.8010 F: 519.742.2442

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FERGUS

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8 M O

New service delivers local, fresh produce to Wellington County

PHOTO: P. 17 SUBMITTED

By Aryn Strickland ELORA - A Wellington County branch of the national same-day order and delivery online platform Mrs. Grocery launched on July 15. Customers of the service, which operates in 63 cities across Canada, are able to order items from small businesses and local farmers for delivery straight to their door. Elora residents Todd and Dana Machin purchased the rights to operate Mrs. Grocery in Waterloo and Wellington as a business venture that would help other small businesses and local farms. “I know how important it is to support your local shops, your local farmers and this model here, this platform really rang true to me with Mrs. Grocery, which is supporting local and shopping local,” Todd Machin told the Business Leader. There are currently over 20 local vendors and over 800 products available on the Waterloo and Wellington extension of the website. While Todd and Dana Machin officially own the rights to operate Mrs. Grocery in the Kitchener/Waterloo and Centre Wellington territories, the service rights reach further in Wellington County, including Arthur, Drayton, Moorefield and everything in between. Small business and farmer vendors on the site include Thatcher Farms, Fraberts Fresh Food, Hoppy Fields Farm, Jewels Under The Kilt, Lau-tea-da Lentils, Eby Family Honey, Mapleton’s Maple Syrup and Stacey’s Homemade Goodies. Customers can shop either by vendor, category or product online at centrewellington.mrsgrocery.com. Orders, which can include multiple products at one time, must be made by 1pm to receive same-day delivery and can be paid for by cash, credit or debit on delivery. There is a $10 delivery charge for products from one vendor and an additional $5 for products from every additional vendor in each order. Residents outside the Wellington County Mrs. Grocery catchment area can still use the service, but they must pay double the delivery fee ($20 for the first vendor and $5 for each additional vendor on an order).

The service is offered six days a week, from Monday to Saturday. Machin, who charges vendors 10% of sales made through the website, stated he does not mark up any of the products sold on the site.

“For us it’s just important that our community continues to support our local merchants and help sustain our growth in our own backyard.” - TODD MACHIN, OWNER, MRS. GROCERY WATERLOO/ WELLINGTON

Offering Mrs. Grocery in the Waterloo and Wellington areas has allowed small businesses and local farms to get in on the online order-delivery trend, Machin said. He quit after working for 18 years as a project coordinator for a manufacturing company, then spent four months driving for Uber Eats in Guelph. After witnessing what residents were willing to pay to have their food delivered, Machin looked for a way to take the idea to small businesses when he came across the Mrs. Grocery franchise. “Buying local reduces the amount of taxing needed to bring you fresh goods; there is also less fuel used to transport the product so that’s just a couple reasons there,” said Machin. It also provides Wellington residents unable or unwilling to travel the opportunity to get local produce and to support small businesses in their area. “Buying local is just the best way to get your produce and meats - the freshest product you could possibly get,” he added. For Mapleton’s Maple Syrup farmer and business owner Onias Metzger, becoming a Mrs. Grocery vendor made good business sense. “I thought we could sell some maple syrup to the consumer that way straight from the farm without me doing a lot of advertising,” said Metzger.

TODD MACHIN, MRS. GROCERY

While he has yet to receive an order through the site, he and neighbouring local business Eby Family Honey in Moorefield liked the idea and joined Mrs. Grocery at the same time. “My neighbour signed up for honey and he thought I should sign up for the maple syrup, so that’s what we did,” he said. Metzger says he hopes that as the local branch of Mrs. Grocery gains more publicity his business will satisfy a market for maple syrup. According to Machin, residents in Waterloo and Wellington are already using the service. Speaking to Business Leader recently, he said he has received a few orders each week since the launch. “So far, so good. With the customers I have delivered to so far, I have had nothing but positive feedback, I am very excited to have the service available here,” said Machin. Already the Machins plan to extend their coverage area to Cambridge and all the way up to Owen Sound, Port Elgin, Southampton, Kincardine and Hanover. For now, however, Machin said they are focused on growing the franchise in Waterloo and Wellington County to support their local community. “We are so privileged to have so many great options with local growers and businesses that provide a wonderful selection of locally grown produce,” said Machin. “For us it’s just important that our community continues to support our local merchants and help sustain our growth in our own backyard.” He added, “We love our community and we want to see our local businesses and farmers succeed ... [that’s]the bottom line of where we want to go with it here.”

BUSINESS LEADER WELLINGTON COUNTY | 17

COVER STORY

North Wellington Co-op: Looking after communities for 75 years By Jaime Myslik HARRISTON – For 75 years North Wellington Co-operative Services Inc. has served local communities with more than just products. The organization has roots that date back to 1921, but it officially became a co-op in 1944. Its origins began with farmers and turnip, corn and mangel seed as well as binder twine. The Minto Farmers Club was able to get a better price for supplies when buying in bulk, rather than purchasing individual portions for each farm. The Harriston Co-operative Association was formed on May 9, 1944. In the summer of 1960 the Harriston Co-op merged with the Mount Forest District Co-operative Company Ltd. and the North Wellington Co-op was born. The Durham and Hanover branches came on board in 1993. Belinda Wick-Graham, manager of economic development for the Town of Minto, said reaching 75 years in business is an “amazing feat. “I know of a few in our area that have hit this milestone but not very many. “This is a very big accomplishment that the whole North Wellington Co-op team should be very proud of.”

Today, North Wellington Co-operative Services continues to have operations in Harriston, Mount Forest, Durham and Hanover, and is still doing the same work as its founders.

“The members of the co-op are the owners of the business. The member-owners are the boots on the ground and know what the community needs and because of this the community supports their business.” - BELINDA WICK-GRAHAM, MANAGER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TOWN OF MINTO

“We still serve farm customers and homeowners,” said general manager Kelly Boyle. “We would consider ourselves a fullservice co-operative.”

Being a co-op provides different opportunities than a privately-run business. Boyle answers to a board of directors and the business has about 5,000 owners. Those owners are co-op members through a member-loan model. Boyle explained that when the co-op began 75 years ago, members gave a $500 member loan to give the co-op capital to buy the product it would then sell back to customers. The members then made six per cent interest on the co-op’s loan, which paid out yearly. While that model still stands today, Boyle said it has changed a bit. First, the membership fee is $10 and members can provide the $500 loan over time, through their patronage. “A portion of the profits of the co-ops quite often are returned to the members,” Boyle said. “So until a member had a fully paid membership of $500 that patronage payment went towards that until the member loan was entirely paid.” That patronage continues today. “Over time members become what we would call a fully paid member in that they have $500 (loan),” he said. “So at that point, at the end of each fiscal year they would get interest on that $500.” If they move away or no

NORTH WELLINGTON CO-OP, HARRISTON

18 | BUSINESS LEADER WELLINGTON COUNTY

PHOTOS: JAIME MYSLIK

RILEY ALLAN, LEFT, AND JANNY SIMMONS, NORTH WELLINGTON CO-OP

longer want their membership, members can apply to the board of directors and get their $500 loan back. In fact, members can retrieve whatever amount they have paid into the co-op when they choose to leave, Boyle said. Wick-Graham said she believes it is the co-op model that has led to North Wellington Co-op’s success. “The members of the co-op are the owners of the business. The memberowners are the boots on the ground and know what the community needs and because of this the community supports their business,” she said. “They are also led by a very competent general manager (Boyle) and a board of directors who keep investing in the business and moving it forward, keeping up with the changing times and technologies in the agriculture sector.” While its origins are rooted in farming, Boyle said the larger portion of customers now are non-farming homeowners purchasing furnace oil or propane. Though a membership is not needed to make purchases, Boyle said it’s advantageous for homeowners to purchase a membership because they will likely receive patronage on their purchases and eventually receive cash back at the end of the year. The amount of patronage depends on the amount of money spent at the co-op. However, despite the higher number of non-farm members, it’s still farmers that bring in the most business. For example, the co-op buys bulk fertilizer, brings it to the co-op’s new fertilizer facility and gets it ready for customers. That year-old fertilizer facility is about seven times the size of the previous facility, meaning the co-op can purchase even more fertilizer for discounted prices and have space to store it. The money the co-op makes from

“Agriculture is one of the largest employment sectors in Minto and the North Wellington Co-op not only employs a lot of people in our community they also provide key services and products to the larger agriculture community.” - BELINDA WICK-GRAHAM, MANAGER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TOWN OF MINTO

discounted bulk purchases goes back into patronage or into the facility. “Buy more fertilizer spreaders, replace worn-out trucks, maintain our facilities,” Boyle said. “So that’s a big thing for us ... maintaining the facilities because they’re owned by the members and keeping good equipment and trucks so we can provide good service. “Because the fertilizer is no good here if we can’t get it to them in the field when they need it.” The co-op deals with a host of products from fuel to crop inputs to hardware stores to feed. It’s the feed portion from which student Riley Allen said she learned the most. The 19-year-old has been working at the Harriston branch for four years and hopes to go to school to be a veterinary technician next year. “I’ve learned what medications are good for your chickens and if people want medicated or non-medicated feed, and I know what’s in the feed,” she said. She’s also learned what medications certain animals can have and what medications they can’t have.

Apart from the career training, Allen said she likes the social aspect of the co-op culture. “For me I was really quiet ... when I started working; I was a very shy person and this has really brought me some great social skills,” she said. “I am so much more talkative than I was before.” Boyle said each store has between one and four students working to help full-time staff in evenings and on weekends. “Our students are important to us,” he said. Community involvement in general is a big part of the co-op’s mandate; it is where its membership and ownership is based. “The community of Harriston and the greater Town of Minto is proud to be the home of North Wellington Co-op’s head office,” Wick-Graham, said. “Agriculture is one of the largest employment sectors in Minto and the North Wellington Co-op not only employs a lot of people in our community they also provide key services and products to the larger agriculture community.” Boyle said the North Wellington Co-op is involved with numerous fair boards, 4-H clubs and minor sports. “We do a lot of different things; we do donations, and as you can imagine because we have four stores in four local towns, we get visitors from every fair board, every hockey team and every bonspiel, you name it,” he said. The co-op also supports local hospital galas. Wick-Graham said this is one of the reasons the co-op has been a key business in the community. “They are always there to support the community groups in the area; whether that is by providing donations, volunteering their time or providing equipment, you can always count on them to be there,” she said. “They are also a willing participant in any of our retail events (even though they are not downtown).” For the co-op, 4-H is an important organization to support. “If you stop and think about it, those children are going to be our next customers; chances are their parents are already dealing with the co-op in some fashion,” he said. Just this summer, during the co-op’s 75th anniversary barbecue on July 13, the co-op used a 4-H club to help out in both Harriston and Mount Forest. The co-op donated $600 for 4-H summer programing. “I feel like they were talking about taking the kids to the CNE to see the cattle and stuff,” Boyle said. Having been in business for 75 years, Boyle said the co-op is constantly looking for ways to grow the business.

BUSINESS LEADER WELLINGTON COUNTY | 19

“We’re always looking for new opportunities, not necessarily in the same businesses we’re in,” he said. “We try to investigate two new businesses a year as part of our strategic plan.” While it didn’t work out, he said the co-op had looked at purchasing a car wash one year. “We are certainly blessed to have the North Wellington Co-op based in Minto,” Wick-Graham said. “From the employment opportunities they provide, to the great products and services they deliver, they are a first class business and are helping our agriculture sector to remain strong. “Congratulations to Kelly, the board of directors and all member-owners on a significant milestone and best wishes on another 75 years of success.”

NORTH WELLINGTON CO-OP, HARRISTON, GARDEN CENTRE

GOT CONCRETE INC MAKING IT HAPPEN

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www.gotconcreteinc.com 20 | BUSINESS LEADER WELLINGTON COUNTY

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Innovation Guelph launches three new programs GUELPH - The Canadian government recognizes entrepreneurship as an important component of the economic development strategy. Locally, Wellington County and the City of Guelph have also prioritized the value of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs contribute to the economic ecosystem through job creation, development of products, services or technology, enabling new markets, addressing environmental and social challenges and creating efficiencies through innovation. Innovation Guelph (IG) has developed programming to support entrepreneurs and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) especially in the regional priority sectors of agri-innovation, manufacturing, cleantech and information and communication technology. IG understands the challenges local companies face and have customized programming to effect transformational change, officials said in a press release. Three new programs have been created to support the acceleration of businesses in Guelph-Wellington and across southern Ontario.

PHOTOS: P. 20 TOP JAIME MYSLIK, SUBMITTED X2; P. 21 SUBMITTED

AGRI-INNOVATION ACCELERATOR Recognizing that agriculture, from farm to fork and kitchen to manufacturing, is supported by ranchers, growers, manufacturers, distributors, scientists, academics, developers, designers, retailers and consumers, the Agri-Innovation programming has been tailor-made for the agri-food, agri-tech and agri-innovation sectors. The Agri-Innovation Accelerator provides customized support for agribusinesses who are looking to scale. RHYZE UP! Innovation Guelph continues to pilot unique ways to support women entrepreneurs. The new Rhyze Up! national accelerator addresses the needs of women-owned and women-led companies. The program has been tailored to help them identify an effective path to scaling up and overcome obstacles that held them back. Through this program, IG offers an unprecedented opportunity for established, women-led companies across Canada who are ready to grow, officials say. It includes a discovery phase of up to 15 hours of dedicated expertise to explore

Many people gathered to celebrate the funding announcement in August, from left: Business Centre Guelph-Wellington board members Geoffrey Quan, Barb Maly and chair Carinta Mannarelli; Guelph MP Lloyd Longfield; Business Centre executive director Kristel Manes; and Business Centre board member and county councillor Jeff Duncan. challenges and identify opportunities; followed by a traction phase to help execute a strategic project designed to deliver maximum impact. As an added bonus, Rhyze Up! also makes one-on-one leadership coaching available to all participants. RHYZE VENTURES In keeping with Innovation Guelph’s long-time commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs, Rhyze Ventures will accelerate a wide range of women-led businesses in southwestern Ontario by drawing on the combined experience of Innovation Guelph and key partners. The Rhyze Ventures program combines learning, doing and hands-on, targeted expertise to help Ontario’s women-led businesses thrive. A comprehensive, eight-month program, Rhyze Ventures has been designed to help women entrepreneurs enhance their business and leadership capacity, apply what they’ve learned with expert support and qualify to pitch for cash awards. Rhyze Ventures is offered in partnership with: - Delivery partners: Business Centre of Guelph Wellington; GreenHouse at St. Paul’s College; and University of Waterloo and Waterloo Region Small Business Centre. - Technology partner: Pollinate providing mentor-matching expertise and engagement platform. - Evaluation partner: 10C providing program evaluation and impact

measurement. In addition to programs for startups, scale-ups and women entrepreneurs, Innovation Guelph also offers services to businesses looking for help with specific challenges. IG mentors and industry specialists have the expertise to help with à la carte advisory services in areas such as:  advisory boards;  embedded executive services;  competitive analysis;  leadership/team development;  sales process development ;  design thinking; and  innovation process development. Innovation Guelph is committed to helping businesses start, grow and thrive. To complement funded programming and fee-based services, IG’s colocation space offers an opportunity to work alongside all that expertise, without the high cost and long-term commitments required with traditional office leases. FUNDING The Government of Canada is offering a Women Entrepreneurship Strategy which is $2-billion in funding to double the number of women-owned businesses by 2025. MP Lloyd Longfield announced $1,879,983 in funding to go to Innovation Guelph to fund organizations supporting female entrepreneurs. This investment will help to broaden initiatives for gender equality and advancing the Canadian economy.

BUSINESS LEADER WELLINGTON COUNTY | 21

Snobelen Farms building new seed facility at Palmerston location By Patrick Raftis

PALMERSTON - Construction of a world-class seed processing, treatment and packaging facility at Snobelen Farms Ltd.’s Palmerston area location began this summer. The facility will produce high-quality seed, offer several seed treatment options and allow Snobelen Farms to better serve customers, the company stated in a press release. The Palmerston expansion is a result of recent growth in the company’s seed and export soybean business. It will focus on processing soybean, winter wheat and spring cereal seeds and receiving IP soybeans to complement the company’s existing seed and export facility in Lucknow. “Adding this state-of-the-art facility to our Palmerston operation positions Snobelen Farms to continue to supply our customers with the highest possible quality product,” said company president Sam Snobelen. “It also sets us up for future growth in our seed business unit.” The Palmerston expansion incorporates a tower structure cleaning and treatment processing line, a new warehouse and separate IP soybean receiving facility. Completion of the project is expected in the fall of 2020.

“Adding this state-of-the-art facility to our Palmerston operation positions Snobelen Farms to continue to supply our customers with the highest possible quality product ... It also sets us up for future growth in our seed business unit.” - SAM SNOBELEN, PRESIDENT, SNOBELEN FARMS

519.843.2741 540 Blair St., Fergus, N1M 1S4 fergus@carstar.ca

22 | BUSINESS LEADER WELLINGTON COUNTY

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PHOTO: P. 22 PATRICK RAFTIS

Construction of a state-of-the art seed processing, treatment and packaging facility at the Snobelen Farms Ltd. Palmerston area location got underway this summer.

Mike Snobelen established Snobelen Farms Ltd. in 1971 with the goal of building a sustainable agricultural business. Troy Snobelen, Mike’s son, continued this vision until his passing in February this year, company officials note. Troy’s commitment to facilitate the growth in the seed business included the purchase of Bramhill Seeds in Palmerston in November 2018. Sam Snobelen and Tanya Leppington, Troy’s brother and sister, continue the family legacy of commitment to local farmers, employees and the communities it serves, company officials state. “The new Palmerston facility will allow us to continue Troy’s vision for the business,” said Sam Snobelen. An independent, family-owned business with approximately 60 employees, Snobelen Farms Ltd. is dedicated to the processing and packaging of pedigreed seed, the contracting, processing and exporting of IP soybeans internationally and a commercial grain elevator system consisting of eight elevator locations in Ontario.

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How to Increase IT Productivity in the Workplace As a business owner in todays world, you are constantly faced with ever increasing pressures to deliver more with less. We must always be trying to improve and become more productive. This applies not only to us, but more importantly, our staff. Some may find this challenging as we need to balance this need to be productive with the health and happiness of our staff. Actually, it has been well documented that employees who feel that their wellbeing is important to the company have a significantly higher level of engagement and in turn are more productive. This is good news as it means these two considerations are complimentary to each other and not opposite. The real question is, how to accomplish this? With this in mind, here are a few ideas to accomplish both, employee satisfaction and productivity at the same time.

Solid-State Hard Drives (SSD) One of the biggest changes in new computers in the last few years is the affordability of Solid-State Hard Drives (SSD). Older mechanical hard drives are constrained by the physical speed at which they spin and the ability of the read/write heads to quickly move back and forth across the surface of the spinning disk. SSD drives eliminate this bottleneck almost completely as they have no moving parts so the data can be copied back and forth to the processor much more quickly. We have found that investing in a new SSD drive can significantly improve performance and can often extend the life of an older computer by years. People are amazed at how quickly their machines spring to life with an SSD as opposed to mechanical drives where it is common for people to turn their computer on and then go make coffee while they wait for it to boot.

Dual Monitors From our own experience, we have discovered another oftenoverlooked option to improve staff productivity. Do your staff often move between multiple applications, possibly cutting and pasting, or working on documents while they are trying to manage emails or a calendar? Many of todays computers come with the ability to add a second or possibly even a third monitor. This option allows users to view two or more applications simultaneously and greatly improves the ability to move information back and forth between them. There are even a number of wall or desk mounting options available that will help keep users’ physical desks clear for other work.

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Cloud Computing The third productivity tool we strongly recommend is something you have probably heard a lot about but may not understand completely. Cloud computing has gained significant traction over the last few years and this trend will undoubtedly continue. The term “Cloud” simply refers to anything that is not saved locally on your computer, but is stored on or accessed through the internet. This includes many popular social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, any web-based email such as Hotmail or Gmail, as well as a host of business applications that are run remotely. It is understandable that this idea concerns some people. We have all heard the horror stories involving thousands of stolen passwords or credit card info taken by hackers. Unfortunately, this is a function of our connected world and is really not directly cloud related. Effectively, every computer that is connected to the internet for any reason is a potential hacking target, regardless if you use cloud services or not. These risks can be easily mitigated with a proper firewall setup and are outweighed by the many benefits of the cloud. Some of these benefits are; being able to work remotely, having access to business applications and email from any computer anywhere in the world and much lower cost of ownership for business applications. These benefits have and will continue to improve business productivity in the 21st century.

Here at PlanetCPU, we are always trying to improve our service offerings. We recognize that many business owners don’t have the time or resources to manage these tools effectively. If you would like to discuss how some of these things may benefit your business, or, you simply have questions about any of your IT needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

BUSINESS LEADER WELLINGTON COUNTY | 23

GRAND OPENINGS

On hand at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of Hensall Co-op Drayton were, from left: Robb Hammell, Kayla Lowry, Janet Brodhaecker, Roger Roland, Dave Consitt, Kelsey Banks, Hensall Co-op board president Peter Dinsmore, CEO Brad Chandler, Mikaela Adams and Drayton Hensall Co-op manager Neil Driscoll.

Hensall Co-op opened new fertilizer facility DRAYTON Hensall District Co-operative Inc. hosted a grand opening for its Drayton fertilizer blending facility this summer. A leading independent farmer-owned co-operative in the Canadian agricultural sector, Hensall Co-op celebrated with an open house and plot tour. Attendees were given the opportunity to tour the new state-of-the-art fertilizer blender that can blend up to 750 MT in an hour. Dekalb, C&M, NK and Croplan provided informative sessions overlooking the plots that are finally coming along following an incredibly wet spring. This was followed by the official ribbon cutting ceremony attended by various levels of government. Mapleton Township Mayor Gregg Davidson, Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece, Perth-Wellington MP John Nater and Senator Rob Black all gave greetings to the audience. Hensall Co-op CEO Brad Chandler spoke to the crowd about the key role the co-operative plays in growing agriculture in Ontario. “Politics aside, Canadian food stuffs are sought after because consumers around the world are confident in their quality,” said Chandler. “The market for plant-based proteins is

expanding and the consumption of meat in developing countries continues to grow. “We want to see the Canadian farmer gain from this opportunity and that is why we are focused on growth. This investment was made in our eastern frontier. “We recently entered the market in Tilbury and Harrow to the south. To the west, we have added a processing facility in Manitoba to improve our value stream to get to the Asian market.” Chandler also congratulated the team on completing the facility on time in tough circumstances. “We believe that this is a fantastic facility with innovative equipment and the best employees,” he said. “The fact that it was completed in time, despite the challenge of a winter build following a wet autumn, is a testament to what we can offer to add value to your farms. It’s not just the tower – we have new concrete in the warehouse, new liquid fertilizer capability and an office. “Thank you to Neil Driscoll and the entire Drayton team for your dedication throughout Plant19 – it’s one we will all remember.” Founded in 1937, Hensall Co-op is 8th largest non-financial co-operative in Canada, with over 6,000 member owners and more than 30 owned locations in Ontario and Manitoba.

24 | BUSINESS LEADER WELLINGTON COUNTY

& more

A new business on St. Andrew St. Fergus held a ribbon cutting and became a member of the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce. Luke Marshall, proprietor of County Vape, said he is open for anyone who has thought about an alternative way of kicking the smoking habit or to those who would like to try this new way of smoking. He said tests have proven there is very little nicotine in the smoke. At the ribbon cutting were, from left: chamber representative Paul Walker, Marshall, chamber representative Aileen Hawkins and former chamber executive director Roberta Scarrow.

The Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce is busy with grand openings, ribbon cuttings and new members including the KA$ Accounting ribbon cutting earlier this year. This firm is owned by Kate Kiss and has office space behind the Co-Operators office on St. David St. N in Fergus. Kiss can do all accounting and is certified in bookkeeping, payroll, QuickBooks and Tsheets. Cutting the ribbon are from left: chamber assistant Elaine Black, Kiss, chamber director Aileen Hawkins and former chamber executive director Roberta Scarrow.

PHOTOS: P. 24 TOP LEFT SUBMITTED, BILL LONGSHAW X2; P. 25 TOP RIGHT JAIME MYSLIK, SUBMITTED X3

Glen and Jennifer Hall recently moved OSIM Interactive to a new location in Harriston at 12 Elora Street. Present for the official opening were, from left: Minto councillor Judy Dirksen, Jennifer Hall, Easton Hall, Kane Hall, Mayor George Bridge, Liam Hall, Glen Hall, Barry Hewitt, Minto Chamber of Commerce president John Mock Minto, Kelsey Greenwood, Joe McLaughlin, John Burgess, Shawn McDonald and deputy mayor Dave Turton.

Harriston Home Hardware Appliance Centre owners John and Patty Mock held a grand reopening this summer at the new location for their business at 78 Mill Street. From left: employee Krystal Williamson, Minto councillor Judy Dirksen, Patty Mock, John Mock, deputy mayor Dave Turton, constituent services representative for Perth-Wellington MP John Nater Teri White, Home Hardware representative Wendy Culp-Wing and Jeff Mock.

A new washroom at Forfar Park on Gartshore in Fergus is open. Eric Van Grootheest of The Van Grootheest Team, Century 21 Exalibur Realty Brokerage Inc. donated the public washroom, which had been included in Centre Wellington’s 10-year capital forecast. The township was responsible for the building permit fee, the sewer, water and hydro connections, as well as a pathway from the parking lot to the building. Ongoing maintenance and annual operating costs for the facility will also be the township’s responsibility. Cutting the ribbon in June were, from left: Paul Van Grootheest, Eric Van Grootheest and Mayor Kelly Linton.

Harriston Home Hardware Appliance Centre has re-opened at new location on Mill Street HARRISTON - A grand re-opening of Harriston Home Hardware Appliance Centre’s new location was held this summer. Home Hardware dealers/owners John and Patty Mock started the business selling appliances within their hardware store, before moving it to a separate 1,000 square foot location on Elora Street. The business has since outgrown that location and was moved to 78 Mill Street, which features 2,300 square feet of retail area space. “We have more than doubled our inventory space to better serve our community with quality products and services,” said John. “Offering additional brands and products, our new location has a refreshed design as well as more choice than ever before for our customers.” John said the store, which has added a line of chiropractic mattresses, serves a need both locally and in the surrounding areas. “We always knew the appliances were needed here and ... that a freestanding store would do better …” he said. “So once we opened up the destination store things have taken off, sales have just grown and now that we’ve added the mattresses; it’s been crazy.”

A grand opening was held for a new Drayton business, Corner Krest Salon & Barber in June. Cutting the ribbon to open the new shop were, from left: Mapleton councillor Marlene Ottens, Mayor Greg Davidson, owner Destiny Burt, Ivy Burt, Jax Burt and Megan Cunningham.

BUSINESS LEADER WELLINGTON COUNTY | 25

OPENINGS THE OLD HOUND A new ice cream shop has opened in Mount Forest. The Old Hound opened at 273 Main Street South and the establishment offers a store, deli and ice cream shop. ARTHUR CHUCK’S ROADHOUSE Arthur now has a Chuck’s Roadhouse Bar and Grill. The eatery is located at 799 Wellington Road 109 in Arthur. It’s open Sunday to Thursday from 11 to 12am. On Friday and Saturday it’s open 11 to 1am.

The Dynafit University Harriston Campus at 78 Mill Street officially opened this summer. The 2,500 square foot training facility is a joint venture between Listowel Dynafit owner Chris Kurtz and Leslie Motors of Harriston. From left: Gerri Leslie, Minto councillor Judy Dirksen, Mark Leslie, Lisa Leslie, Dynafit trainer Jessica Eliason, Kurtz, deputy mayor Dave Turton, constituent services representative for Perth-Wellington MP John Nater Teri White, Heather Watterworth and Ron Leslie.

LEMONTREE + CO. INTERIORS An interior design studio has opened at Macadi Jewellery’s previous location at 13 East Mill St., Elora. Principal designer Sophia Reay has been an interior designer for 15 years and just recently opened her shop. The retail shop and design studio feels more like a home and the door is always open. The shop offers a unique product line of down-to-earth home goods and blends seamlessly with a finely curated line of vintage pieces - for a modern home. The store is located above the Cellar Restaurant and is open daily from 11am to 5pm. SUMMIT MEDICAL FAMILY PHYSICIANS The new building at 500 Garafraxa St. is officially occupied by two businesses. One of those businesses is Summit Medical Family Physicians. While the medical centre is new the doctors practicing at the centre are not new to Fergus. These physicians include: Dr. Mark Easterbrook, Dr. Matt Westendorp and Dr. Samantha Thompson For more information call 226-383-3333. FERGUS PHARMACY AND COMPOUNDING A good complement to the new medical centre is the Fergus Pharmacy and Compounding Centre. The other new business at 500 Garafraxa St. The pharmacy is owned by Deep Shah. For more information about the new pharmacy call 226-383-8000.

During LaunchIt Minto’s fifth anniversary celebration in Harriston, a number of homepreneurs held a joint ribbon cutting. These business owners include, from left: Rabecca Witzke, RW Photography; Jennifer Frayne, Jennifer Frayne Photography; Barbra Richmond and Helen Meyer, Silent Impact (Nikken); Elaine Young, What’s Inside the Box; Liz Felix, Intuitive Health; Minto Mayor George Bridge; and Maureen and Phil Searle, Hands and Needles. 26 | BUSINESS LEADER WELLINGTON COUNTY

THE FRIENDLY SOCIETY Elora has a new licensed neighbourhood restaurant. The Friendly Society is located at 102-8 Mill St. W. in Elora. The restaurant is open from Tuesday to Sunday from noon to 11pm. For more information visit www. friendlysociety.ca or call 226-384-8452.

THE HANDSOME DEVIL BISTRO Another new eatery has opened in Elora. The Handsome Devil Bistro is located at 146 Metcalfe St. in Elora. For more information call 226-384-1000. CARDENO’S GRILL Harriston has a new restaurant at 62 Elora St. S. The restaurant is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm and Saturday from 8am to 5pm. For more information call 416-312-5250.

BRENMAR TRANSIT LTD. HARRISTON Brenmar Transit Ltd. Harriston has new owners. The school bus company for charter and school bus routes was recently purchased by Ben Guenther. For more information call 519-492-0099.

RELOCATIONS

KULFI CAFE The Kulfi Cafe is now open in Palmerston at 212 Main Street, West. The cafe offers 24 flavors of ice cream, a selection of coffee, teas and iced coffee and sandwiches with vegetarian options including both Indian flavors and Canadian-style food. The cafe also has an outdoor patio that customers can enjoy in warm weather. The Kulfi Cafe is open Monday to Friday from 7am to 9pm and Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 9pm.

THE SIGN DEPOT Mapleton has recently gained a new business that has 25 years of experience. The Sign Depot Inc., which was previously located in the KitchenerWaterloo area, recently moved to Wellington County, just making it into the boarder of Mapleton Township. Check out the business at 8519 Wellington Rd. Line 86, Listowel. The Sign Depot completes a wide range of work from small cottage signs to corporate and gateway signage.

EAR AND HEARING CLINIC The Ear and Hearing Clinic is now open in Palmerston. The clinic specializes in hearing rehabilitation with patients of all ages and provides high quality hearing care to adults and children. Services include hearing assessments, wax removal, hearing aid evaluations and fittings, tinnitus retraining therapy, auditory processing assessment and more. For more information visit earandhearingclinic.com, call 1-833-6694425 or stop in at the store located at 107 William Street.

ARTHUR SUBWAY The Subway restaurant in Arthur has moved to 7999 Highway 109, Unit 6. The eatery is open, so stop by to check out the new digs or call 519-848-2214 for more information.

ILLUSTRATED MOVEMENT DANCE ACADEMY A new dance studio has moved into Palmerston. Illustrated Movement Dance Academy is offering recreational and competitive dance instruction at 155 James Street in Palmerston. For more information email illustratedmovement@gmail.com or visit www.illustratedmovement.com.

PHOTOS: P. 26 SUBMITTED X2

NEW OWNERS

SHIPPERBEE ShipperBee has now launched in Guelph. The shipping business uses trips that are already taking place (and all the empty trunk space) to get parcels where they need to go without adding more carbon emissions. For more information about the new shipping service in Guelph visit www. shipperbee.com.

M. DURKALEC DENTURE CLINIC M. Durkalec Denture Clinic has relocated to 1 – 111 Queen St. W, in Mount Forest. The office can be reached at 519-509-5400 A full list of services related to the denturist practice include in-home visits, relines and repairs, implant supported dentures, immediate dentures, professional denture cleaning, sports mouth guards etc.

ANNIVERSARIES DREAMLAND PET Dreamland Pet is 10 years old. The business celebrated its 10th anniversary on July 20. The celebration included an ice cream truck and barbecue. Dreamland Pet is located at 6484 Wellington Road 7 in Elora (beside the Grand River Raceway). ELORA APOTHECARY PHARMASAVE The Elora Apothecary Pharmasave is five years old. The pharmacy is located at 115 Geddes Street in Elora. For more information call 226-369-0312.

BUSINESS CENTRE GUELPH-WELLINGTON The Business Centre Guelph-Wellington is celebrating its 20th anniversary in November. The company’s mandate is to build entrepreneurs; to provide the entry point for entrepreneurship in Guelph and Wellington County, helping individuals get into business for themselves; and to support the growth and proliferation of small businesses in the region. The main office is located at 8 Macdonell St., Suite 100 in Guelph and there is a satellite office in Fergus at 160 Provost Lane. For more information call 519-826-4701, email success@guelphbusiness.com or visit www.guelphbusiness.com. BLOOMS ON MAIN A Drayton flower shop is celebrating its first anniversary. Blooms on Main is a family owned and operated flower shop that services Drayton, Moorefield, Rothsay and Palmerston. The flower shop offers the finest floral arrangements and gifts. The business is located at 28 Main Street East and can be contacted by calling 519-638-7723 or visiting www.bloomsonmain. ca.

MIDTOWN AUTO REPAIR Midtown Auto Repair owner and technician Will Gimblet is celebrating 20 years in business. Midtown Auto Repair is located at 254 George St. The Midtown Auto technicians have over 50 years of combined experience and knowledge and that number is forever growing. Gimblet was the Local Business of the Year from the Arthur and District Chamber of Commerce in 2011. MCDONALD CHIROPRACTIC Dr. Shawn McDonald is celebrating the first anniversary of his business McDonald Chiropractic. The clinic is located at 16 John St. N in Harriston. For more information call 519-510-5555 or visit www.mcdchiro.ca. I’M SOOOOOOO BAD I’m Sooooooo Bad adult store located at 110 Main St. N in Mount Forest is celebrating its 15th year. New owners Wayne and Lori Billings can be reached at the store or by calling 519-323-9969.

BUSINESS LEADER WELLINGTON COUNTY | 27

Core Fuels and Red Cap Propane Grand Opening Core Fuels and Red Cap Propane hosted the grand opening of its new full-service location on Wellington Road 7 outside of Alma on June 14. The festivities included a ribbon cutting ceremony. From left: Don Achilles, Paul Core, Mapleton Mayor Gregg Davidson, James Core and Paul Muma.

ABOVE: Hot dogs and hamburgers supplied by the Alma Optimist food truck. LEFT: Sherry and James Core took in the opening.

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Make peace with your money.

The new rules surrounding Capital Cost Allowance To operate a productive farming business, it is necessary to periodically upgrade or replace your equipment Since this property wears out or becomes obsolete over time, the CRA allows you to deduct the cost of each item over a period of several years in an annual deduction known as the Capital Cost Allowance (CCA). The amount that you can write-off each year with the CCA depends on what “Class” the equipment falls within. For example, a tractor is classified as a “Class 10” asset which means that in a typical year you would get a 30% write-off of a declining balance but there is another rule that only allows you to claim half of this amount for new asset purchases in the first year (in this example 15%). However, recently the Canadian government has announced changes to the CCA rules to allow you a larger write-off in that first year. Rather than cut the typical CCA you can claim in half, instead an additional 50% deduction can be claimed. For example, if you were to purchase a $100,000 Class 10 asset (such as a tractor), the 15% that would normally be available in the first year (a $15,000 writeoff) would become 45% (a $45,000 write-off). In light of these new rules, here are some key considerations for farmers to keep in mind.

Guelph Wellington Dufferin

Limited time only This enhanced CCA is only available for a short period of time. It will apply to any capital asset purchased between Nov. 21, 2018 and Dec. 23, 2023. From the end of this window to Dec. 31, 2027, there will still be an enhanced CCA, but it won’t be as lucrative. Therefore, if you were thinking about making a major capital asset purchase, it would be advantageous to do this before Dec. 23, 2023.

100 per cent write-offs Although the new CCA rules do allow an additional write-off for capital asset purchases, you should keep in mind that there are other things you could do to get a 100% write-off. For example, any tile drainage projects are typically allowed to be written off 100%. Before you rush into making a capital asset purchase just for the tax savings, make sure you take advantage of these other opportunities first.

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any tax but just defer it to another year. For example, most incorporated farmers have a flat rate of tax from zero income to $500,000. If your income this year is $200,000 and you spend $100,000 to bring that down $100,000 and your income next year is $200,000 again, you’re going to pay the same percentage of tax. By taking advantage of the accelerated CCA opportunity and other opportunities to write off expenses faster, you’re only deferring tax until a later year, at which point you’ll pay that same rate of tax. A corporation would only experience an absolute tax savings if a higher tax rate applies, which usually doesn’t occur until its income exceeds $500,000. In the case of proprietorships and partnerships, income is taxed personally with tax brackets that start at a much lower number (i.e. under $50,000) – therefore there are more opportunities for absolute tax savings as compared to corporations.

Preparing for year-end If you’re close to your year-end and have already exhausted other ways to reduce your tax bill, you could proceed with the purchase of the expensive capital asset that you were planning. The asset only has to be available for use before the year-end to qualify for the deduction. This could offset any additional income with a sizeable CCA write-off in that first year, especially if you’re purchasing a big-ticket item like a combine. Even if you’re financing the asset and making payments over a period of five or 10 years, you would still receive the full 45 per cent writeoff in the year you purchase a Class 10 asset.

“However, recently the Canadian government has announced changes to the CCA rules to allow you a larger write-off Collins Barrow - Guelph Wellington Dufferin is in that first year.”

now Baker Tilly GWD. Long-time local insight

Deferring tax vs. absolute tax savings Lastly, especially for an incorporated farm, oftentimes increasing your expenses (through these enhanced CCA opportunities or other methods) to reduce your income will not save

Conclusion Although the new Capital Cost Allowance rules are appreciated, the overall tax savings may not be as big as you think. Before rushing into that capital purchase, you should make sure it makes sense for your overall business and not just do it to save tax. When in doubt, you should consult with a tax professional to do the full cost-benefit analysis before you proceed.

Now, for tomorrow

0342 Gerrie Rd., Elora 519.846.5315 • 450 Speedvale Ave. W., Unit 113, Guelph 519.822.7670

BUSINESS LEADER WELLINGTON COUNTY | 29

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

The Old Post claims Pitch It! Minto prize for planned new escape room, meeting area MINTO - The winner of the 2019 Pitch It! 2.0 Business Plan Competition is The Old Post and Escape the Old Post. The business, which is owned by Michael and Sue Hendrick of Harriston, was announced as the winner at a Minto council meeting in June. The entry consisted of expansion plans to create and operate a second escape room in the basement of the Old Post, as well as the construction and operation of a unique meeting room named The Post Script. “Escape the Old Post opened in January of 2018 and to-date has served over 3,500 people and received very positive reviews and helped raise awareness of Harriston and Minto,” states a press release announcing the winner. The PitchIt! Minto Business Plan Competition started in 2012 in an effort to grow small businesses in Minto and increase awareness of resources available. In 2019 the Town of Minto, in partnership with LaunchIt Minto and its sponsors, launched PitchIt! 2.0. The competition continued to be geared towards entrepreneurs that wanted to open, purchase, expand or re-locate a business within the Town of Minto. New this year was the addition of not only prizes for the winner and all finalists, but also a pool of prizing that could be customized based on the needs of the finalists. “Thanks to the support of our generous community sponsors, close to $27,000 in cash and prizes has been awarded in our biggest PitchIt Business Plan Competition yet,” the release states.

The Old Post and Escape the Old Post was pronounced the winner of the 2019 Pitch It! 2.0 Business Plan Competition at the June 18 Minto council meeting. Finalists, judges and officials on hand included, from left: front, Minto economic development manager Belinda Wick-Graham, Elaine Young of What’s Inside the Box and Trish Riley of Nadur; back, Liz Felix of Intuitive Health, Chris and Lisa Brady of Animated Media, judge John Burgess of the Minto Chamber of Commerce, judge Rob Mattice of 88.7 The River, Michael Hendrick of The Old Post and Escape the Old Post, Mayor George Bridge, Janet Juniper and Kevin Brown of Country 93 (sponsor).

Judge Rob Mattice, general manager at 88.7 the River, said, “The new format of PitchIt 2.0 allowed the judges to ‘customize’ a prize pack for each presenter. This gave us the ability to help multiple entrants,

“I am delighted to be chosen as a winner from a field of very cool and interesting business initiatives.” - MICHAEL HENDRICK, CO-OWNER, THE OLD POST AND ESCAPE THE OLD POST

depending on what they needed most. “These entrepreneurs put a lot of effort into their business plans and live pitches so it’s nice to be able recognize each of them with prizing they expressed a need for.” Seven entries were received and five finalists submitted full business plans and

30 | BUSINESS LEADER WELLINGTON COUNTY

made presentations to the judges in early June. The five finalists were: The Old Post and Escape the Old Post, Animated Media, Intuitive Health, Nadur and What’s Inside the Box. “I am delighted to be chosen as a winner from a field of very cool and interesting business initiatives,” said Michael Hendrick. “The Town of Minto rocks. Their support and encouragement of development is unique and makes a world of difference. With the help of the prizes, The Old Post can move forward with confidence to complete the second escape room and a diverse room called The Post Script. “The Post Script is a beautifully built meeting/workshop/special occasion space as well as commercial kitchen. Thank you Minto, and thank you judges and community sponsors.” Entrepreneurs are encouraged to watch for the next PitchIt 2.0 competition, in March 2020. For details contact Minto business and economic manager Belinda Wick-Graham at belinda@town.minto. on.ca or 519-338-2511 ext. 241.

Food for thought

Marty Young, left, of Young’s Home Hardware holds the Community Service Award, while Crime Stoppers Guelph Wellington vice chair Deryck West holds the Outstanding Fundraising Concept for the annual Bucket Sale held at the store. The awards were presented at the OACS Conference in Windsor in June.

Guelph Chamber of Commerce and University of Guelph present Young Innovator Award

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519.846.2636 Nathan Skoufis received the Young Innovator Award on behalf of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce and University of Guelph. Skoufis is a lifetime resident of the area and he began training in martial arts when he was six years old. Skoufis is now a 16-time World Champion, fifth degree black belt and member of Team Canada. Skoufis started his martial arts studio Guelph Family Martial Arts at 19 years of age while in his first year of university. His program connects physical and mental benefits that include focus, perseverance, self-control and many more. “This really is surreal and humbling for me to have received this award, as individuals typically do not look at martial arts as being innovative,” Skoufis said. “Martial arts have a common misconception that it is combat focused and that it is about learning to punch and kick. However, our program is about utilizing martial arts as a vehicle to facilitate personal growth and development.”

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Elora Brewing Company receives $63,000 grant By Jaime Myslik ELORA – The Elora Brewing Company is expanding with the help of almost $63,000 from the federal and provincial governments. This summer it was announced that the two levels of government were teaming up to provide $1 million to 20 craft brewery projects through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. Elora Brewing Company co-owner Jon Laurencic said the brewery applied to the grant last spring and learned it would be getting a cut of the grant towards the end of last summer. The $62,903 grant has already been given to the Elora Brewing Company and was used to install the infrastructure needed to bring in four new 6,000-litre tanks. “Since, it feels like, the minute we opened we started thinking about how to get more tanks in here and stuff like that,” Laurencic said. “So in order to ... continue to satisfy the demands for our products .... we know that this had to get done and we were going to make it happen one way or the other.” In order to bring in the additional tanks, which Laurencic said would more than double the brewery’s production capability, the infrastructure needed to be in place. The grant helped provide the brewery with all the equipment needed for the tanks: a glycol chiller needed to regulate the temperature of the beer, energy efficient piping, a new cleaning process and a chilling unit for the finished products in the warehouse. “It’s also going to be running a lot more energy efficient than what we may have been able to float before and same thing with ... all the associated piping,” Laurencic said. “It’s high efficiency, there’s not a lot of heat transfer associated with all that piping so the equipment that we did buy, it sort of helps us save water, save energy.” The Elora Brewing Company is owned by a close knit group of owners and they’ve been funding the brewery largely on their own. “So this helps us continue to grow our business and invest back into the community with more job opportunities for people as we increase our capacity,” Laurencic said. “If we didn’t have this grant it would

definitely be a little bit more tricky kind of pulling the trigger on an expansion of this size.”

“So this helps us continue to grow our business and invest back into the community ...” - JON LAURENCIC, CO-OWNER, ELORA BREWING COMPANY

ADDITIONAL TANKS The additional tanks will allow the brewery to brew more beer. “That’s going to help us be able to do sort of larger and more frequent one-off batches that will benefit our tap sales and retail sales here as well as that’s going to help us push out to more bars and restaurants, more LCBOs and more grocery outlets as well,” he said.

FOUR FATHERS BREWING COMPANY LTD. Four Fathers Brewing Company Ltd. received $9,599 for a brew clean system to manage its wastewater stream. Though the brewery is now located in Hespeler Village in Cambridge, its roots are in Rockwood, where four dads began selling their beer in 2016 out of a refurbished barn.

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Estill finalist for EY Entrepreneur Of The Year award GUELPHERAMOSA – Jim Estill, CEO of Danby, has been selected as one of the EY (Ernst and Young) Entrepreneur of the Year finalists. Estill was JIM ESTILL chosen as a finalist in the Ontario region for this year’s program in the Business to Consumer Products and Services category after a long and rigorous evaluation process by an independent panel of judges. Estill started his first company out of the trunk of his car while attending the University of Waterloo. He grew this company to $350 million in sales before selling to Synnex in 2004. Estill then became CEO of Synnex Canada where he grew sales from $800 million to $2 billion in five years. Throughout his career he has invested in over 150 companies — of those, 25 were sold. In 2015, Estill purchased Danby and helped the company to expand into new markets (UK and Mexico) and develop innovative new product lines, like its award-winning smart mailbox, Danby Parcel Guard. In addition to his business success and innovations, Estill has been the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, including being named a member of the Order of Canada in March. Estill is also regarded as a philanthropist and well known for his financial generosity and ongoing efforts to provide refuge to families fleeing from the civil war in Syria. The Ontario finalists will come together on Oct. 24, in Toronto at the annual awards gala, where EY will name one winner in each of the nine categories. For more program details and information on how to attend one the regional gala visit ey.com/ca/eoy.

Collaboration needed for Erin economic development By Phil Gravelle ERIN – Collaboration among sectors of the Erin business community will be needed to reach the goals set out in the town’s economic development plan, according to a consultant who made a recent presentation to council. Bill Elliot of Global Investment Attraction Group delivered a draft of the plan, which envisions a new era of managed growth enabled by the installation of a wastewater system. The draft is posted online at erin.ca in the agenda of the July 22 meeting. Elliot said the Business Improvement Area (BIA) of downtown Erin has too small a membership (about 40 businesses) and too small a budget ($48,000 in 2018) to meet its goals of physical improvement and economic promotion. “Expansion of the area covered by the BIA is required as a basis for strengthening and re-energizing the organization,” the draft plan states. Councillors noted a previous attempt to expand the BIA was met with strong resistance. “Businesses only participate when they see a net benefit to themselves,” said Elliot. “A rising tide lifts all boats – other businesses will benefit.” Councillor John Brennan said the BIA needs to “do a better job of selling those benefits.” Mayor Allan Alls said, “Perhaps it’s time for another run at it.” In the short term, the town should be supporting existing firms and entrepreneurs, strengthening clusters

of related businesses and promoting collaboration, said Elliot. “Put your money and efforts into building cooperation; that’s where your dollar is best spent,” he said. “You have to market internally first.” He noted clusters such as equine, tourism and agri-food, for example, tend to focus on their own businesses. “There are tons of things here, but no collaboration,” said Elliot. “You need to cross boundaries.” Alls agreed, saying that without collaboration, businesses “stay stuck on their railroad track.” Councillor Jamie Cheyne noted the East Wellington Chamber of Commerce is no longer active. Intensive, proactive marketing of Erin to outside investors should wait until the town has more to sell, as part of a mediumto long-term strategy, said Elliot. For the main urban areas, that means serviced land (with wastewater) and in rural areas it requires reliable high-speed internet service. “You are not investment-ready,” said Elliot. Brennan added low-cost housing to the short list of necessities. “Until then we are really treading water,” he said. Councillor Rob Smith said with so many established residents locked into a commuting lifestyle, local businesses must compete for employees in a very small pool of available labour. He said the problem is related to the low

supply of affordable housing and the lack of GO bus service. The economic development plan covers other factors, both existing and planned, that contribute to the town’s prosperity. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FACTORS The first is environmental sustainability and the town’s “enviable natural setting.” “As an environmentally attuned community, a reputation for sustainability is likely to be among the more significant reasons that many people choose the town as a place to visit, live or pursue agricultural, agriculturally-oriented or ‘green’ and tourism-related ventures and businesses,” the draft plan states. It also notes the town’s interests would be served by an extension of Highway 410, development of the GTA West Highway Corridor (north Brampton to Georgetown) and possible public transportation to the future Toronto Pearson Transit Hub. The report also mentions the Community Improvement Plan, which is investing public funds to help local businesses make improvements. The economic development plan includes extensive statistical background on Erin’s population and economy, compared to other municipalities in the county and nearby regions. It analyses factors that affect economic development, lists goals and objectives, and sets out a range of actions the Town of Erin could take to advance the process.

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THE SOCIAL CORNER

Boost your Christmas Sales with Product Page Retargeting DREW MOCHRIE

Like it or not, it’s time to think holiday sales. Shoppers are already browsing and making their lists for Christmas this year. Competition will be fierce as big and small businesses alike spend on social media to reach the same people. Larger brands have bigger budgets and a robust ecommerce system for online shopping. But don’t fret. If you haven’t employed ecommerce as a part of your business (yet) you can still boost your holiday sales with

PRODUCT PAGE RETARGETING. HERE’S HOW TO DO IT:

STEP 1

FACEBOOK PIXEL Set up Facebook Pixel on your website if you haven’t done so already. This is what enables you to target people on Facebook who have previously visited your website.

STEP 2

GOOGLE ANALYTICS Find the top product pages on your site with Google Analytics. Go to Behaviour > Site Content > All Pages. Here you will see a list of the most visited pages on your website. Copy the URL of product pages that are at or close to the top of your most visited web pages.

STEP 3

FACEBOOK AD Create a Facebook ad. Set the objective to ‘conversion’. When choosing a conversion type choose ‘Messenger’. This will send people from your ad into a Messenger conversation with your business. From here you can have a direct conversation with the prospective buyer or set up Messenger automations to do the work for you. When setting an audience, click ‘create new’ and choose Custom Audience. You’ll see several options but, in this case, choose ‘website traffic’. Here you can add people

34 | BUSINESS LEADER WELLINGTON COUNTY

to your audience who have visited specific web page(s) on your site. Paste the URLs from Step 2 into this field to target these people.

STEP 4

AD FORMAT Design and choose an ad format. Your ad should be designed to match the customers you’re targeting. Fortunately, you know what products they have been looking at. Upload a photo or video of the specific item they were browsing. If they were viewing a collection of items, create a carousel ad and feature the entire collection.

STEP 5

CALL TO ACTION Add a call to action to the ad. For this example, choose the ‘Shop Now’ or ‘Contact Us’ option. If a person clicks on the ad or the call to action it will bring them to the Messenger conversation. Because this ad is specific to a certain product you can ask questions that would lead them to buy (examples: sizes, colours, available to come see in store, etc.). As the holiday season approaches more businesses will increase advertising on Facebook and Instagram. More competition means higher ad costs. Be vigilant with your ad spend this Christmas but don’t let big brands take more than what they already do.

It’s time for you to get ahead.

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