www.brantfordbrant.com e-mail: advantage@brantford.ca

2006 INDUSTRIALDIRECTORY

Your Advantage Point

DEVELOPMENT UPDATEWWIINNTTEERR 22000088//0099

Highlighting Growth & Development in

the City of Brantford & the County of Brant

www.brantfordbrant.com e-mail: advantage@brantford.ca

Walking Floor International Canada hasexpanded and built a new 27,000 sq.ft. facility at 65 Bury Court inBrantford’s Braneida Industrial Area.This location is a big step up from thecompany’s previous 5,000 sq. ft. leasedoperation in the city.

Construction on the new buildingbegan in early April and the companyofficially moved in October 2008. Localconstruction firm Lanca ContractingLimited was the builder.

David Schertzberg, Operations Director,Sales and Service, explained that thecompany had to relocate because they,quite simply, ran out of room.

"Walking Floor International Canadaneeded to expand as a result of new

product beingdeveloped fornew marketsand in order to support theseproducts weneeded to moveto a much largerfacility."

In addition toproduct salesand technicalsupport, the Bury Court facility providesrepair services to tractor-trailer unitsequipped with Walking Floor’s mobileunloader systems. The mobile unloaderreplaces the original flooring in thetrailer with a system of slats and planks that slide back-and-forth in aco-coordinated manner to literally“walk” the contents out of the trailer.

The Brantford facility isWalking Floor’s onlyCanadian location and ishome to the company’s sales,service and technical support centre.The company has been in Brantfordsince 1996 and employs a staff of 17employees. Manufacturing of the com-pany’s signature Walking Floor systemsis done at the parent company KeithMfg. Co. in Madras, Oregon.

Keith Mfg. Co. encompasses interna-tional locations; a global network ofdealers and more than 250 worldwidepatents. Both mobile and stationaryunits are used throughout the world inthe refuse & recycling, agriculture, ice,cotton, wood, and paper industries.

For more information, please contact:David Schertzberg, Operations DirectorSales and ServiceT: 800.514.6085

WALKING FLOORINTERNATIONAL CANADABUILDS NEW FACILITY

Owner Mark Foster (left) and OperationsDirector David Schertzberg

The City of Brantford and its communitypartners have launched the 2008Workforce Development Strategy aimedat meeting the needs of local employersand providing employment opportunitiesfor its citizens.

According to the findings of the 2006Brantford•Brant Business Retention andExpansion survey project and EconomicDevelopment & Tourism Departmentstaff, it was clear Brantford employersare having difficulty recruiting, retainingand training skilled workers – and astrategy was necessary.

In order to address these labour retention and skills shortage issues, theEconomic Development & TourismDepartment coordinated meetings withseveral key community business, education and training organizations. As a result of these discussions, theWorkforce Development ProjectCommittee was established to createand implement a workforce develop-ment strategy for Brantford•Brant. The committee has representation from thefollowing stakeholders: City of BrantfordEconomic Development and TourismDepartment, City of Brantford PublicHealth, Safety and Social ServicesDepartment (Brantford•BrantEmployment Services), Ministry ofTraining Colleges and Universities(MTCU), Grand Erie Training andAdjustment Board (GETAB), Chamber ofCommerce Brantford•Brant, Grand ErieLearning Alternatives (GELA), LaurierBrantford and Mohawk College –Brantford Campus.

The committee received funding fromMTCU’s Local Labour Market PartnershipProgram (LLMP) to complete the work-force development strategy.

The committee’s research indicatedBrantford has several strong assetsincluding a wealth of employment programs and services, positive working

relationships among its local business community, an activelocal training and adjustmentboard, solid post-secondary institutions, a diverse economicbase and a provincial designationas a “Place to Grow”. Whilethese assets position Brantfordfavourably to address workforcedevelopment issues, severalgaps were identified thatadversely impact the community’s ability to attract,retain and develop its workforce.

The strategy intends to promote the strengths andaddress the gaps through thefollowing recommendations:

• Creating an effective, coordinated, community approach to workforce development.

• Issuing a call to action for employers to participate in workforce development initiatives and providing them with pertinent, timely information.

• Investigating emerging solutions to labour shortages.

• Enhancing the current labour pool.

The Workforce Development ProjectCommittee is dedicated to implementingthis strategy and enhancing cooperationbetween all interested parties. In fact,there are several initiatives already moving forward.

Brantford•Brant Employment Serviceshas secured funding to compile an electronic service directory for localemployers and to develop an Employer

Assistance Centre where employerscan access information on programsand services and develop marketingstrategies.

A second project from Brantford•BrantEmployment Services was launchedNovember 13, 2008. A web based“immigration portal” www.newcomerconnections.caprovides resources for newcomers andpotential newcomers to Brantford andarea. The website provides existing andfuture residents with a centralized, accessible resource of services, supportsand information related to immigrationand integration into the local community.Benefits include increased opportunity forimmigrant success within the community,increased self-sufficiency and reduceddependency on social supports as well as increased exposure for Brantford as adestination of choice.

Copies of the 2008 WorkforceDevelopment Strategy Report are availableonline atwww.brantfordbrant.com/publications.Printed copies can also be obtained fromthe Economic Development and TourismDepartment at 399 Wayne GretzkyParkway or by calling 519.751.9900.

Workforce Development StrategyLaunched for Community

A $50-million redevelopment to transform the Brantford Mall intoa neighbourhood shopping centre is well underway, with most of the work slated to becomplete by early 2009.

"We're really quite excited about this project,"Sylvie Lachance, of First Capital Realty, said. "It'sgoing to be a terrific neighbourhood shopping centrewith tenants that will serve the daily needs of people living in the area.”

The transformation of the former Brantford Mall is part of a “de-malling” trend that began in the commercial/retailing sector several years ago, with standalone stores replacing those located inside a self-contained mall. The new Brantford Mall is an example of the movementtowards a neighbourhood shopping centre, a collection of stores that cater to thedaily needs of people. Freestanding retailers allow shoppers the convenience ofgoing into a specific store, getting what they want and leaving, without having to navigate the interior of a traditional mall.

The biggest of the newly constructed buildings is the $5 million, 31,000 sq. ft., eight-screen GalaxyCinema, which officially opened in early November 2008. A new Dollar Giant opened this past summer and a new 5,500 sq. ft. Royal Bank will be opening soon. Zehrs will remain in its existing 72,000sq. ft. location, although its entrance will be modified. Former mall tenant East Side Mario's restaurant is moving into it’s own 5,000 sq. ft. pad site beside the new 7,500 sq. ft. LCBO store that opened in January 2008.

In addition to the buildings already constructed, First Capital Realty will be adding two remaining buildings in late 2009: a 5,000 sq. ft.unit adjacent to Payless Shoes and an 18,000 sq. ft. building on the southwest corner.

Lachance said the shopping centre that will replace the Brantford Mall serves a significant residential area that is expected to growsubstantially in population in the years to come.

Fore more information and a detailed site plan, please visit First Capital Realty’s website at: http://www.firstcapitalrealty.ca

Notably New & Expanded Business In Brantford

Brantford Mall Gets Made Over

• Architectural firm The Ventin Group isconsolidating operations from itsSimcoe and Cambridge locations into anewly renovated head office at 50-54Dalhousie Street in downtownBrantford. The company took posses-sion of its space in the building (alsohome to Hurry Print) at the beginningof October. The firm plans to move upto 40 people to this new location. For more information, contact PaulSapounzi, 519-426-6271.

• Transportation services firm TrisonTarps has added a 5,400 sq. ft. expansion to their 130 CopernicusBlvd. manufacturing facility to meet

with growing customer demand. Thecompany manufactures tarps for tractor-trailer and flatbed vehicles, anddistributes a wide range of tie-downequipment, storage boxes and cabguards. The expansion adds two drive-thru bays, bringing the facility upto almost 14,000 sq. ft. in size, with 14employees. For more information contact Paul Vandenberg, GeneralManager, 519-720-9464.

• Several familiar industrial firms inBrantford have undergone namechanges as a result of corporate acquisition. Metal blank stamping company Namasco Limited at 546

Elgin Street has been purchased bySamuel and Son, Inc. The company isnow known as Samuel MetalBlanking. Recovery services providerA.F. White Ltd. of 36 Adams Blvd. haschanged its name to be reflective of itsnew owners, Aevitas Inc. TheCanadian home and garden division ofconsumer products companySpectrum Brands has been purchasedby investment firms Clark Inc. andRoycap Merchant Banking Group. Thecompany will continue to operate outof its present location at 150 SavannahOaks Drive, but will now be known asSure-Gro Inc.

PINTY’S DELICIOUS FOODS Opens State-of-the-Art Plant in Paris

Brant’s Twin Pad hastaken another stepforward. At itsSeptember 2, 2008meeting, CountyCouncil voted unani-mously to approve(in principle) theconcept drawingsfor the $20 millionarena project.Consultants fromShore Tilbe Irwinand Partners gave an overview of the project, including theproposed design for the 75,000 sq. ft. Rest Acres Road sportsfacility in Paris.

The preliminary design of the new Twin Pad facility will includetwo NHL ice surfaces; 12 dressing rooms, including two barri-er-free dressing rooms; referee, convener and alternate dress-ing rooms; and two community rooms.

“The County of Brant is replacing the 85-year-old Syl Apps icepad and providing an ice surface that will provide increasedopportunities for residents and visitors to recreate in our com-munity. This facility will be a cornerstone for our communityand will be designed and constructed so that it will conserve

energy and be sustainable. We are very excited to present theconcept to the public as it is a design that is both functionaland one that the community will be proud of,” KathrynUnderwood, Director of Community Services andCommunication Officer for the Twin Pad facility, said.

Ketchum Canada Inc. has been contracted to lead a two-yearfundraising campaign, which will assist with the financing ofthis new facility. October 2009 is the tentatively scheduleddate for a public launch of this program.

For more information contact;Kathryn Underwood, Director of Community Services, County of BrantT: 519.442.6324 ext. 3030 www.brant.ca

The Countyof Brant is now home to a production facil-ity for Pinty’s Delicious Foods Inc., a leaderin the food industry with a history datingback over 65 years. In December of 2007,the Burlington-based company purchasedthe former Export Packers plant in Paris.Pinty’s Delicious Foods provides a completerange of premium quality fresh and frozenchicken to the retail and food service indus-try. The new Paris plant produces severalproducts from Pinty’s line of Wing FlavourProfiles, including Buffalo and BBQ.

Upon acquisition of the Paris plant, Pinty’simplemented an SAP program (SystemsApplications and Products in DataProcessing). This software system allowsall aspects of the company’s operations tobe tracked and processed in real time.

“Thanks to a dedicated team, we had thisstate-of-the-art processing and cookingequipment up and running in recordtime,” Lee Vanderlaan, OrganizationalDevelopment Manager for Pinty’sDelicious Foods, explained.

Since opening its Paris location, Pinty’s hasincreased production by adding a secondshift; the site now has 90 full time employ-ees. Operations Manager Steve Hungatetook the helm at the Paris site in August of2008, and will continue to build upon theprogress made to-date.

Vanderlaan said that the County of Brant’slocation, with convenient access to keyhighways and major markets, was a majorfactor in the decision to set up operationsin Paris. The presence of a strong labourpool and the County’s welcoming

character added to the location’s appeal.“Paris and the County of Brant still have asmall town feel, which is important to theowners, who value family and strongroots.”

Pinty’s was established in 1943. Initially,there were two separate family ownedoperations; however, the two companiesamalgamated in the late 1990s. Today,Pinty’s Delicious Foods Inc. continues togrow, and includes the two originalfounded facilities in St. Catharines andPort Colborne, as well as a site in Oakvillethat produces ready to eat, fully cookedchicken products, and the new Paris plant.

For more information contact:Lee Vanderlaan,Organizational Development ManagerT: 905.319.5300, ext. 5252

County of Brant Twin Pad Preliminary Design Unveiled

Starting in the Fall of 2009, MohawkCollege will offer students optional paidco-operative work terms in every programat the Elgin Street and Odeon Centredowntown. Mohawk was the first collegein Canada to offer co-operative workterms in the early 1970s.

“Co-ops give students real-world, hands-on learning opportunities with leadingemployers in the region,” Executive DeanPaul Armstrong said. “It’s another wayMohawk helps students learn the skills,gain the experience and the have rightattitude to get the job done for our industry partners.”

With the Conference Board of Canadawarning of a skills shortage that couldleave Ontario short 360,000 workers by2025, Mohawk is committed to helpinglocal and regional employers close theskills gap with job-ready college graduates.

Mohawk’s partnership with Brantford-based StoreImage is part of a growingtrend, Armstrong explained. The companyformalized a long-standing partnership

with the college and is committed toinvesting in students through schol-arships, co-ops and equipmentdonations.

“Employers are looking to lock inhighly skilled students before theygraduate,” Armstrong said. “Our indus-try partners are also working closely withMohawk to help our students learn theskills they need to hit the ground runningas new hires.” Industry partners serve onprogram advisory committees to reviewcurriculum and identify new opportunitiesand emerging trends.

A strong partnership with employers isreflected in the college’s 91.3 per centoverall graduate employment rate, and its93.3 per cent employer satisfaction score.Adding optional co-operative work termsbuilds on a record year at MohawkBrantford. The college had record first-year enrolment and added two new pro-grams downtown: More than 80 earlychildhood education and child and youthworker students are now studying at theOdeon Centre.

Mohawk also continues to move forwardwith an ambitious strategic plan for serving students and employers inBrantford and County of Brant. Two centresof excellence in Advanced Graphic DesignManufacturing and Public Safety andSecurity will draw students from acrossOntario to Mohawk and Brantford.

Mohawk serves 10,000 full-time students,3,000 apprentices and 42,000 continuingeducation registrants from four campusesin Brantford and Hamilton, and has85,000 alumni and a team of 1,100 faculty, support and administrative staff.

A new training program to make Ontario's manufacturing sectormore competitive in the global marketplace was launched inOctober by the Yves Landry Foundation.

The Achieving Innovation & Manufacturing Excellence (AIME)program is being supported by a $25 million investment fromthe Ontario government. The program is making available up to$50,000 per project in the form of a grant to foster training thatwill lead to advancements in innovation within the manufactur-ing sector in Ontario.

This funding is open to all Ontario Manufacturing companies inall segments that meet the following criteria:

• Between 15 - 1500 Employees

• In business in Ontario for at least 3 years or can demonstrate a solid financial footing

• Manufacturing facility or facilities located in Ontario

• Manufacture a specific product for sale in Ontario or elsewhere

More information on the program is available from the YvesLandry Foundation website at: http://www.yveslandryfounda-tion.com/Programs.shtm

Additionally, the Government of Ontario and the CanadianManufacturers & Exporters (CME) recently launched a joint initia-tive to help small and medium-sized companies secure and cre-ate jobs by becoming more productive and more competitive.

The Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, backed by a $25-million investment by the provincial government, will behelping small and medium-sized manufacturers increase theircompetitiveness in the global economy through a new programcalled SMART.

The SMART program will provide up to 50 per cent of eligible pro-gram costs, to a maximum of $50,000 per project, and focuses onthree key areas that can help Ontario manufacturers get ahead:

• Lean manufacturing and process improvements

• Information and communications technology

• Energy efficiency.

More information about the SMART Program can be found athttp://www.cme-smart.ca/

Two New Grant Programs for Ontario Manufacturers

Serving students and employers in Brantford andBrant County are Rosemary Knechtel, Vice President,Academic, Mohawk Brantford Executive Dean PaulArmstrong and Associate Dean Jo-anne Procter.

Mohawk College Grads HelpingIndustry Partners Get the Job Done

399 Wayne Gretzky ParkwayBrantford, ON N3R 8B4 Ph.: 519.751.9900 or 1.800.563.9999Fax: 519.751.2617Email: advantage@brantford.caWeb Site: www.brantford.ca

66 Grand River Street, NorthParis, ON N3L 2M2Ph.: 519.442.6324 or 1.888.250.2296Fax: 519.442.3461Email: brant@brant.ca Web Site: www.brant.ca

Prime office space located in Brantford’s downtown professional services sector, closeto government agencies and post-secondary institutions, is now complete and readyfor lease.

With capacity for multiple business office opportunities, the newly renovated 65,000sq. ft. space is ready to go. Features and benefits include: access to multiple publicparking lots & public transit, handicap accessible, ability to build to suit your needs,free rent periods, highest downtown walking traffic, flexible lease terms and commencement dates.

For more information, please contact:G.K. York Management Services 519.756.5385

1. S.C. Johnson and Son, Ltd. ofBrantford has been selected as one ofthe 50 "Best Workplaces in Canada"by the Great Place to Work Institute.The company placed 45th in the 2008 rankings.

2. Renold Canada Ltd. has namedRick Hamilton their new presidenteffective September 2, 2008.

3. Brantford celebrated a championship season in 2008 withboth the Senior A hockey leagueBrantford Blast and IntercountyBaseball League Brantford Red Soxwinning top honours in their respectivesports. The host Blast won the 100thAllan Cup in April, and the Red Soxbecame IBL champs in August.

BBUUSSIINNEESSSS BBRRIIEEFFSS

Congratulations from the City of Brantford and County ofBrant to the following businessesand individuals:

Feature DevelopmentOpportunity - 1 Market Street