Business News
15th Anniversary and Opening of The Office Shop’s newly renovated showroom
Helen Stergiou and Joanne Triantafilou, co-owners of The Office Shop, recently celebrated their newly renovated Markham location after 15 years of business.
Together with X-Design Inc. they transformed their 5,000 sq. ft. showroom with a fresh new look. The event was widely attended by suppliers, business associates and the design community.
Honda Canada opens new campus in Markham
This latest investment by Honda in Canada marks another important milestone as it confirms their commitment to Canada and their customers, while keeping with their focus on the environment by having their buildings adhere to the strict Leadership in Energy and Design (LEED) standards. It also represents the culmination of years of dedication and hard work which has allowed Honda Canada to become an important part of Canada’s corporate landscape and an active player in the communities where they are represented.
To commemorate Honda’s long-standing commitment to the environment, approximately 1,000 trees and 5,000 shrubs were planted on the Campus location, building on Honda founder Soichiro Honda’s environmental concern to ensure “Blue Skies for Our Children.”
Town of Richmond Hill unveils new logo
The Town of Richmond Hill is proud to introduce its vibrant new brand to the community. The new brand consists of a logo (modern and progressive), that will be used to identify all municipal property and services as well as for marketing the community, and a revised crest, to be used for official Council business
Premiere of Healthy Living magazine in Richmond Hill
Lenmark Communications will publish the premier issue of Healthy Living Magazine this fall in Richmond Hill. Healthy Living Magazine has been published for 6 years in Markham and is now planning on expanding into many other areas in Canada. Franchises will soon be available
Markham’s local government performing adequately, but could be better, according to small businesses
The results of a survey conducted by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) reveal that small businesses in Markham feel their local government has room for growth in the area of serving their needs. With municipal elections just around the corner, now is the time for local candidates to speak up about what they would do to support the job-creators in Markham.
“Small businesses are the backbone of their local communities”, explained CFIB’s vice-president for Ontario, Satinder Chera, adding that “these results are a wakeup call for local leaders who need to become more engaged in addressing the local issues that matter to small business”.
A total of 250 businesses in Markham took part in CFIB’s face-to-face survey between July 2009 and June 2010. When asked, “How do you rate the local government where your business is situated on the following issues?,” here’s how these business owners responded:
• Overall awareness of small business sector
38% Good; 26% Adequate; 36% Poor
• Reasonable property tax levels
18% Good; 47% Adequate; 35% Poor
• Fairness of by-laws and regulations
9% Good; 60% Adequate; 31% Poor
• Control of government wage levels
8% Good; 16% Adequate; 76% Poor
• Value-for-money of public services
15% Good; 38% Adequate; 47% Poor
“It is important for all levels of government to be attuned to the concerns of small business, especially in the wake of the recent recession”, reasoned Plamen Petkov, a senior policy analyst with CFIB. “The purpose of these results is to bridge that gap.”
To view the results of other municipalities in the region and across the province, please visit www.cfib.ca/on. To speak with Satinder Chera or Plamen Petkov, please contact Adam Miller or Meghan Carrington at 416.222.8022 or public.affairs@cfib.ca
2010 Awards Presentation Honours Chinese Canadian Entrepreneurs
The Association of Chinese Canadian Entrepreneurs (ACCE), in association with the Centennial College Centre of Entrepreneurship, the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Ming Pao Daily News and Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLPs honoured outstanding Chinese Canadian entrepreneurs from across Canada in eight categories. The co-chairs of this year’s event, held in Markham, were Mr. Norman Morris and Mr. Royson Ng, President of the ACCE.
Nominations for the 2010 awards were accepted from across Canada. This year, entries came from as far as British Columbia to compete. Here are the award winners for all eight categories:
Lifetime Achievement Award – Mr. Bing Thom
Entrepreneur of the Year – Canada Menergy Corporation
Best International Business – Everest Clinical Research Services Inc.
Award of Merit – Tian Bao Travel
Most Innovative Award – Idea Couture Inc.
Most Progressive Award – ICON Digital Productions Inc.
Best Community Service Award – CM Chow Medicine Professional Corp.
Best Start Up – Yoga Tree Inc.
Best Asia Pacific Business Award – ROUND 5 Corporation
The Buzz on Meet for Biz
Meet for Biz, an innovative networking group, allows customers and suppliers to come face-to-face at networking events throughout the year. Member perks include unlimited potential for promotion all over the GTA, discounts to all events, speaking opportunities in all regional territories, and a strong online presence for your business. For more information on membership or sponsorship opportunities visit www.meetforbiz.ca or email monica@meetforbiz.ca.
2010 Rotary Charity Golf Tournament
The seventh Annual Markham Unionville Rotary Charity Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, June 28th at the Meadowbrook Golf and Country Club.
All proceeds will contribute to fund- raising requirements in the local and worldwide community. Past proceeds of this and other events have supported Markham Stouffville Hospital, Evergreen Hospice, Markhaven and Union Villa Seniors Homes, earthquake and disaster relief and many others!
Sponsors, prizes and auction items are needed.
For more information visit m-u-rotary.com or call 416-704-6620.
Viatrade Breaks Barter Transaction Records
Viatrade Canada, a newly formed barter exchange purchased from Trade Capital Corp (formerly Barter World) in August, has surpassed all previous month’s trade volume recorded by two exchange owners previous to Viatrade. The major spike is attributed to standard worldwide barter practices implemented by a new ownership regime. Viatrade is now owned and operated by management with combined 20 years plus experience operating successful trade exchanges in Canada, USA, Europe and the United Kingdom.
Viatrade is also setting new membership registration records. From November 1st to November 24th Viatrade registered an astounding 36 new vendors, 2 members per day. Considering Viatrade is in the infancy stage in terms of length of time in the marketplace, these numbers are extremely positive.
Mike Price, CEO of Viatrade Canada comments, “A successful start up barter exchange relies on the expertise of the employees, capitalization, integrity and the willingness to monitor and insure the quality of businesses that join the exchange. Entrepreneurs who want to grow, develop and strive for success are the best fit for our membership. Members who take the time to understand barter economics and are willing to work within that system to their individual benefit find Viatrade exciting and opportunistic.”
“We might be the new kid on the block, but results speak for themselves. We will be your go-to barter marketplace in no time”, says Price. “We will keep the members and the media informed as we climb higher and higher in our efforts to create the ultimate barter marketplace, stay tuned.”
Introducing the Markham Manufacturers Sustainability PROGRAM
Businesses looking to ‘green’ their production process and reduce costs can now turn to the Markham Manufacturing Sustainability Program (MMSP) for help.
The MMSP offers pollution prevention assessments to small to medium-sized manufacturers in Markham. The assessment addresses key environmental issues targeted by all levels of government, and results in an action plan that can improve your business’s environmental and financial performance in the form of cost savings and reduced liability.
The program is delivered by the Ontario Centre for Environmental Technology Advancement (OCETA), which is a private, not-for-profit organization.
Manufacturers with fewer than 500 employees are eligable to have an assessment done by a pre-qualified pollution prevention consultant. Participants can also receive a funding incentive of up to 50 per cent (maximum $5000) to help offset the costs of an assessment arranged by OCETA. An average payback of less than one year has been realized by implementing pollution prevention through the program.
For further information and details, please visit: www.oceta.on.ca/TORSUS/mmsp.htm or contact Fred Granek at 905.882.4133 ext. 224 or fgranek@oceta.on.ca.
In a Niche of Its Own!
Here’s a Markham business with a real difference. AutoNiche is an auto repair service owned and operated by women. To counter the often intimidating attitude women can experience when getting their cars repaired, this company focuses on honest service and quality workmanship carried out in a friendly environment, by women for women. Repairs are provided for domestic and imported vehicles, and in addition, AutoNiche also provides car care clinics, covering basic maintenance and many other topics. Although the current clientele is primarily women, the owners stress that male customers are welcome, too!
Introducing ... The Recycle People!
Determined to make recycling a core activity of every company, The Recycle People provides businesses of all types and sizes with a convenient, affordable, professional full service recycle collection. From books to paper, glass to plastic, this company makes recycling so easy that nothing with recycling value need be thrown into landfill ever again. There’s no contract to sign, no set-up fee and no environmental surcharges.
A consultant will simply assess your company’s size, the number of bins required and the pick-up frequency. For more information, visit www.therecyclepeople.ca or call 416-619-0065.
A hand up - not a hand out!
FINCA Canada, a subsidiary of FINCA International, and one of the world’s oldest and largest microfinance organizations, has recently launched in Canada. Its mandate is to alleviate global poverty through the disbursement of small loans, primarily to women in the developing world.
FINCA pioneered Village Banking in the early 1980s. Here’s how it works. Neighbours form borrowing collectives in groups called ‘Village Banks’. Individuals borrow working capital, but because they have little to offer for collateral, the group collectively guarantees those loans. As businesses grow, families earn more, purchase more nutritious foods, and parents are better able to send their children to school.
After a year or more, many Village Bankers make significant improvements to their businesses, their homes and their lives. Because neighbours support each other while growing their businesses, Village Banking helps invigorate entire communities.
FINCA’s clients – 91% of whom are women – have no other source of capital to begin or expand their businesses. FINCA helps them build their tiny enterprises so they can earn more, become part of the larger marketplace and enter the global economy. Today, there is less than a 0.5% ultimate default rate on the borrowings.
In addition to working capital, FINCA provides them with insurance, savings plans and other services to help them weather crises such as illness, family death, or natural disasters.
FINCA operates programs in 21 countries throughout Africa, Eurasia, Latin America and the Middle East, providing small loans and other life-changing financial products to nearly 720,000 people.
The Village Banking Campaign sets forth three key measurable goals for 2010:
• Create 100,000 Village Banks – local financial support groups in the world’s most destitute neighbourhoods.
• Reach one million of the world’s working poor with financial services they couldn’t otherwise obtain.
• Open Village Banking Programs in at least five countries where FINCA’s services are needed most.
Since launching the Campaign in May 2007, FINCA has opened nearly 30,000 new Village Banks, for a total of over 70,000, and is serving 190,000 new clients, including 3,500 finding hope and access to financial services through the recently inaugurated FINCA Jordan program.
FINCA Canada was launched this year to spread awareness of the importance of microfinance as a global solution to poverty. All funds raised in Canada will go to start Village Banks in Haiti, the least developed country in the western hemisphere and one of the poorest in the world. FINCA Haiti was founded in 1989. Today there are approximately 18,000 clients in 1,405 Village Banking groups. The need to form hundreds, if not thousands, more Village Banks in Haiti is great.
The business community’s support of the Village Banking Campaign will help to empower the most marginalized segment of the world’s poorest populations – its women and children. These people have proven time and again that given the opportunity, they will rise to the challenge of lifting themselves and their families out of severe poverty.
For more information, visit www.FINCACANADA.org or www.Villagebanking.org.
The FSA Group: Another Markham Success Story
The FSA Group, a direct marketing and communications company, began life in 1993 as a fulfillment company, managing order taking and distributing products and literature in a timely, cost-effective way. Guided by its President, Rob Van Velzen, the organization has grown over the years to nearly 200 employees, and expanded to two adjacent facilities just north of Highway 7 on Rodick Road.
One of the company’s first clients was RBC. FSA managed all collateral material (print and product) that branches needed to launch new programs, such as the distribution of brochures, point-of-purchase materials and signage.
FSA quickly moved into lettershop services, inserting letters into envelopes and sorting mail to minimize postage costs for customers. Then came the International Mailing Division (International Access/Delivery Net), and in less than a year, FSA became Royal Mail’s largest customer in Canada, loading containers with mail destined for Europe at extremely economical rates.
From there, it seemed logical to assist clients with backend processing: most companies which mail out a lot of material usually ask clients or prospects to respond in some way, such as requesting info, ordering product, signing up for something, or entering a contest. The natural extension of services within The FSA Group included data entry (long before everyday internet use) and Call Center services. Rob then bought an interest in a Data Mail, a fulfillment/lettershop company in The Netherlands.
In recent years, the strongest growth has been in digital print and innovative fulfillment solutions whereby users can print and order customized or generic material through custom web online ordering tools that track all activity.
“We seamlessly execute and manage a program, from the front-end launch to the back-end response processing,” says Rob. “We reduce the hassle of working with numerous vendors by taking ownership of and responsibility for our customers’ programs. We maximize synergies and achieve significant time and cost savings for our clients, all from our state-of-the-art facilities here in Markham.”
Last April, to help The FSA Group mark its 15th anniversary, Mayor Frank Scarpitti presented Rob Van Velzen with an award of achievement for the company’s long-standing contribution to business in the town of Markham
PowerStream: helping small business cut costs and conserve energy
A new program is offering businesses up to $1,000 in free energy-efficient upgrades. PowerStream, the local utility which provides electricity distribution services in Aurora, Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan, has partnered with the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) to help small businesses save money on their utility bills and reduce energy consumption.
The Power Savings Blitz program provides free energy assessments and upgrades to small businesses in York Region. Eligible businesses can receive up to $1,000 in free energy-efficient lighting and equipment upgrades to help cut their electricity costs, reduce energy demand in their community, and do their bit for the environment.
“This program is designed to help the conservation-conscious small business owner who doesn’t have the time or resources to carry out energy-efficient retrofits,” says Brian Bentz, President and CEO of PowerStream. “It is a win-win situation. Business owners will save money on their utility bills by reducing their energy consumption, which at the same time can contribute to a cleaner environment for all of us.”
Since the program launched in December 2008, over 350 York Region businesses have registered.
Power Savings Blitz is being offered to the majority of small businesses in the office or retail subsectors, including professional offices, beauty salons and other small retailers. These businesses typically have an annual electricity demand of approximately 50kW or less and are individually metered.
The program focuses on lighting retrofits by replacing old incandescent tube lighting with newer, more energy-efficient lighting products. By simply changing its lighting system, a business can substantially reduce its electricity usage, and in turn, its utility bills. Water heater enhancements are also offered through the program, and this includes wrapping the water heater and hot water supply piping with thermal blankets.
In 2007, a pilot program, No Catch to Conserve, was offered in the PowerStream service territory and has now been expanded province-wide as the Power Savings Blitz. Over 90 small business customers in York Region received retrofits through the pilot, including Mike Evans, owner of True Value Hardware in Aurora, who saved 46% on his electricity bill one month after the retrofit was completed.
“The pilot program for Power Savings Blitz was a tremendous success,” says Patrick Guran, Chief Energy Conservation Officer at PowerStream. “We are happy to see the program continue in York Region and to be offered across the province.”
To sign up for the Power Savings Blitz program or for more information, visit www.powerstream.ca/powersavings or call 1-866-947-5999.
2600 John Street, Unit 207, Markham, ON L3R 3W3 T: 905.475.5222 F: 905.475.6369
