News Releases
The Ventin Group Sets Designs on Brantford
Spring 2009-Architectural design firm The Ventin Group has consolidated its production offices to newly renovated space at 50 Dalhousie Street in downtown Brantford.
The $1.5 million project brings together 35 architects, engineers, interior designers, technologists, finance and administrative staff from its former Simcoe and Cambridge offices. Paul Sapounzi, a partner in the company, states the move was motivated by a desire to be positioned in a “real urban centre”. He adds, “Brantford has all the attributes and design of a grand city – good institutional blocks in the downtown, rectinlinear streets and real neighbourhoods. It has ‘good bones’. It also has the makings of becoming a true university city. A unique educational community with boutique buildings and a naturally integrated campus environment.” Although the building was not for sale, The Ventin Group approached the owner who agreed to sell. Mr. Sapounzi says, “It had a quiet and dignified presence on the street; serious and noble with an interior that allowed for tremendous flexibility for renovation. Like Brantford, it had ‘good bones’”. An extensive renovation began in October 2008 and took four months to complete. The majority of the upper floor was converted to a bright airy open concept space with views out three sides of the building. The remainder of the upper floor was turned into executive offices, administrative space and a boardroom. Staff moved into the building Feb 20, 2009. The Ventin Group occupies 10,000 square feet while tenant Hurry Print occupies 5,000 square feet. The firm received a $150,000 downtown grant from the city towards the renovation. The company has clients throughout Ontario and the U.S., as well as Bermuda, and Argentina.
For more information, contact:
Paul Sapounzi,Partner,The Ventin Group
T: 519.754.1652
Future looks bright for ProTerra LED
Spring 2009- Engineer John Johnston happily reports that his latest venture, ProTerra LED, is taking off at “light speed”.
Based out of St. George in the County of Brant, ProTerra LED specializes in creating LED (light emitting diode) bulbs that can be retrofitted into existing light fixtures. The product line includes replacement bulbs for streetlights, parking lots, industrial bays and interior fluorescents. With energy savings as high as 80% over traditional, ProTerra’s ultra-efficient LED products allow users to significantly cut down on energy costs and reduce their carbon footprint. ProTerra LED was launched in December of 2008, however the technology is the result of over 2 years of research and development. The business has taken off swiftly, and Johnston and his team have been in contact with potential clients from across North America, the Caribbean and Europe. “My goal is to develop the products here and make them here,” Johnston said of his St. George headquarters. “I believe in making things where you sell them. I’d like to help restore opportunity in our corner of the world.” Johnston’s immediate plan is to perfect the production process at his facilities in St. George, and then duplicate it, setting up “cookie cutters” of the process in other regions, allowing ProTerra LED to create jobs in all of the markets where its products are sold. Johnston’s LED lighting products were born of an insatiable drive to create and innovate. The company caught the attention of Ontario Energy and Infrastructure Minister George Smitherman, who pointed to ProTerra LED as an example of job creation through green innovation. Plans are underway to establish a research and development facility adjacent to ProTerra’s current corporate offices, and the company has partnered with Conestoga College’s research and development centre, continuing the pursuit for new, better and greener products.
For more information, contact:
www.proterraled.com.
2009 Industrial Appreciation Event
February 6, 2009-The Brantford Economic Development Advisory Committee has a long tradition of recognizing the valuable contribution that business makes to the economic vitality of the City of Brantford. For over 20 years, the Committee has been involved in hosting an event for local industry, where recognition awards are given out to companies in the following three categories:
- New Company/New Manufacturer Awards for companies that began operations in the City in the past year
- Long-standing Company Awards for companies having been established in the community 45 years ago
- And a Member Brantford Ambassador Award recognizing an individual who through their own personal efforts, has promoted and contributed to Brantford’s economic development.
New Company/New Manufacturer
Medisystem Pharmacy Limited is leasing 11,750 square feet at 119 Copernicus Blvd. in the Braneida Industrial Park. The company provides quality medications, technically advanced packaging, and superior clinical consulting services to skilled-nursing and long-term care facilities. They employ a staff of 29.
Westlake Industries Inc. is leasing a 30,500 square foot facility at 105 Middleton Street. The focus of Westlake Industries Inc. is providing pipe fabrication of specialty spools, skids, module assemblies and custom steel fabrication including pipe supports and employs a staff of 75.
SEA Processing an automation programmer of programmable logic controllers and robots in almost every industrial environment, has opened operations at 349 Henry Street. They are co-located in 8,000 square feet with Abrigo Industrial Machines Inc. and presently employ a staff of 1.
Fence rental and site security experts Moduloc have opened a branch in Brantford at 430 Hardy Road, Unit #2. Moduloc is Canada’s largest temporary fence company. The company occupies 3,500 square feet and employs 2 staff.
Vibrant Pharma Inc.,leases 2,300 square feet of space at 45 Dalkeith Drive in the Braneida Industrial Park. The company is Canadian based research and development organization, specializing in advanced custom chemical synthesis, contract research and process development. The company employs a staff of 2 Masters and Ph.D chemists.
Ideal Rubber Industries is a comprehensive tire recycling facility located in 17,500 square feet at 43 Plant Farm Blvd in the Braneida industrial park. When fully operational, they will be employing between 8 to 15 people.
Long Standing Company
Brodart is an international company, serving libraries from the Northwest Territories to the Pacific Rim. This truly full service library supply company has a rich and varied history beginning in 1939 when company founder Arthur Brody created the plastic book jacket cover. This innovation, in turn, gave birth to the Brodart Company.
Brodart Canada Ltd. was established in Brantford in the early ’60’s when the company relocated from Toronto. They were originally located in 80,000 square feet of manufacturing and office space at 6 Edmondson Street. At the time, local media reported Brodart was Canada’s largest “book jobber”. In September 1978, the company moved to its present location at 109 Roy Blvd. They currently occupy 21,000 square feet and employ 27 people locally, and more through their affiliates across Canada. Despite the prevailing economic conditions, 2008 was a record year the company.
Brodart has a tradition of charitable work as well. They have been a part of the wish foundation supplying libraries in Zimbabwe, part of the rebuild of the New Orleans Public Library, and last year their team assisted in library relocation efforts following two devastating fires.
ITML was started by family members Kees Hensen and John Vaandering in 1963 as a tool shop manufacturing stamping dies. Initial operations started with five employees working out of a double garage on Dalhousie Street. They began injection molding in 1970 and made their first flowerpot in 1973, a turning point in the company’s history. Flowerpots soon became ITML’s core business.
ITML stands for Innovation, Technology, & Market Leadership, and the company is a leader in the design, manufacturing, and marketing of plastic containers and related products for the wholesale greenhouse industry across North America. Utilizing injection molding, blow molding thermoforming and fibre-molding processes, ITML manufactures more than 500 unique products.
In 2007, ITML was purchased by Myers Industries Inc. and is now in the Myers Lawn and Garden Segment, which designs, produces and markets a wide range of containers, hanging baskets, trays, nursery pots, and decorative resin planters.
JEMPAK GK Inc. began life in Brantford as the Witco Chemical Company, and was welcomed as one of the community’s newest industrial members at a reception held Friday June 28, 1963, at The Brantford Club. Also announced at that time was an ambitious $2,000,000 expansion to the 48 Alice Street manufacturing facility purchased by Witco, a location the company has remained at until this day.
In 1997, JEMPAK Canada Inc. was formed to acquire the surfactants and detergent assets of Witco Canada Inc. And, as a result of merger between JEMPAK Canada, Inc. and Gustin-Kramer Limited in 2006, the company changed its name to JEMPAK GK, Inc.
JEMPAK GK Inc. is one of the largest Canadian Private Label laundry detergent manufacturers for both powder and liquid. Customers include all the Canadian grocery chains, drug chains and mass merchandisers, as well as various contract projects for the national brands. The company occupies 57,000 square feet and employs a staff of 32.
Member Brantford Ambassador Award
The Ambassador Award recognizes those in our community, who through their own personal efforts have supported and contributed to the economic development of Brantford. For 2009, the Economic Development Advisory Committee is very pleased to recognize Bob Herron for his devoted effort and dedication in the promotion of the City of Brantford. Mr. Herron is an active community builder and tireless volunteer. His participation on numerous boards and committees includes:
- Past Member of the Brantford Economic Development Advisory Committee for 8 years, serving 2 of those as Chair
- Past Member of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce Brantford•Brant for over 5 years, serving as President in 2004
- Currently in his 4th year serving as a Board Member at the Brantford Golf & Country Club
- Past Member of the Rotary Club of Brantford for 4 years
- Past Board Member for the Community Care Access Centre
Mr. Herron is the Branch Manager for the Cowan Insurance Group in Brantford.
399 Wayne Gretzky Parkway
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