brandon business review 2015

PUBL

ICAT

ION

S M

AIL

AG

REEM

ENT

#409

3451

0

BRANDONBusiness Review2015

#bdnisbetter

We offer...

Brandon, MB

• Chequing Accounts

• Lines of credit

• Term loans

• Business MasterCard

• Commercial Mortgages

• Commercial Leasing

• Foreign Exchange

• Canada Small Business Financing Program

• Customer Automated Funds Transfer (CAFT)

A R E Y O U I N B U S I N E S S ? Add some fresh thinking to your financial partnership!

Talk to Sunrise Credit Union today about financing options

to start or grow your business.

Tim Smith / Brandon Sun

••• Brandon Business Review ••• 20144

is published byDEL Communications Inc.Suite 300, 6 Roslyn RoadWinnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3L 0G5www.delcommunications.com

PresidentDAvID LANGSTAff

PublisherJASON STEfANIk

Managing EditorCARLy [email protected]

Sales ManagerDAyNA OULIONTOLL fREE: 1.866.424.6398

Advertising Account ExecutivesGARy BARRINGTONChERyL EzINICkICOREy fRAzERJENNIfER hEBERTGLADWyN NICkELGARy SEAMANS

Production services provided by:S.G. Bennett Marketing Serviceswww.sgbennett.com

Art DirectorkAThy CABLE

Layout / DesignDANA JENSEN

Advertising ArtShERI kIDDJOEL GUNTER

© Copyright 2015DEL Communications Inc.All rights reserved.The contents of this pub lica tion may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without prior written consent of the publisher .

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in and the reliability of the source, the publisher in no way guarantees nor warrants the information and is not responsible for errors, omissions or statements made by advertisers. Opinions and recommendations made by contributors or advertisers are not necessarily those of the publisher, its directors, officers or employees.

Publications mail agreement #40934510Return undeliverableCanadian addresses to:DEL Communications Inc.Suite 300, 6 Roslyn RoadCanada R3L 0G5Email: [email protected]

PRINTED IN CANADA | 09/2015

Business Review

BrandonIn THISIssue

Messages & Regular Reports & Board6 Greetings from the Brandon Chamber of Commerce President

– Jordan Ludwig

8 Greetings from the Brandon Chamber of Commerce General Manager – Carolynn Cancade

10 2015-2016 Board of Directors

12 Greetings from the Mayor of Brandon – Rick Chrest

14 Benefits of Chamber Membership

FeaTureS15 High Optimism – Message from Economic Development

22 Developed Framework – Economic Development’s new plan proves promising for economic growth

31 From Strong Roots Come Many Branches – Brandon’s strong agriculture sector trickles down the value-added chain

34 A Variety of Solutions – Tapping into a diversified pool of talent to counter a looming labour shortage

36 Money 101 – Improving your financial literacy can improve your business

38 In the Spotlight – Hotelier and club owner wins Business Person of the Year award

40 Lifetime of Hard Work Adds Up – Retired accountant, Jeanne Millis, wins Lifetime Business Builder award

42 Party Professionals Takes the Stage – Event décor company wins Business Excellence of the Year

44 They’ve Got It – got mats? wins Outstanding New Business award

46 Giving Perspiration and Inspiration – Guild Insurance Brokers Inc. founder wins Chamber’s Community Service award

48 Moving Ahead – Innovation key to building manufacturer’s success

52 Putting Family First – What can a family trust do for your business?

54 A Place to Call Home Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation (BNRC) contributing to downtown Brandon revitalization

56 Index to advertisers

52015 ••• Brandon Business Review •••

OUR BUSINESS SOLUTIONS TEAMProudly serving Western Manitoba.

westoba.com | 1-877-WESTOBA | [email protected]

Building Community. One Business at a time.

Constituency Office:Box 129, Glenboro, MB R0K 0X0Phone: (204) 827-3956 Toll Free: 1-866-702-1241Email: [email protected]

www.cliffcullen.com

Reg HelwerMLA for Brandon West

Cliff CullenMLA for Spruce WoodsCliff CullenMLA for Spruce Woods

Reg HelwerMLA for Brandon West

20 18th St.Brandon, MB R7A 5A3Phone: (204) 728-2410Email: [email protected]

www.reghelwer.com


Greetings from the BrandonChamber of Commerce PresidentJORDAN LUDWIG

Welcome to the 2015 edition of the Bran-

don Business Review. It brings me consid-

erable pleasure to celebrate the success

of Westman businesses, showcase some

of our local success stories, and profile

our Chamber award winners. We hope

you enjoy the magazine and appreciate

the time and effort that goes into com-

piling a publication of this calibre.

The business climate in Westman

seems to be holding it’s own, despite

changes in the oil sector which has

driven major growth in our area for the

past few years. We’ve proven time and

again to be resilient and relatively insu-

lated from major swings in the overall

business climate nationwide. We seldom

experience exponential growth, which

limits our downswings. Slow and steady

growth is easy to plan for and manage,

which we’ve seen with the recent expan-

sion of WestJet’s service offerings. They

took a couple of years to prove their

model worked, and took the next step

with a bigger and better product to offer

the Westman market.

Brandon’s Economic Development of-

fice released their new Prosperity By De-

sign document in 2015, which you will

see highlighted throughout this maga-

zine. This document was the product of

community leaders, business people,

and our municipal government discuss-

ing what Brandon’s future should look

like. Pairing our community strengths

with the opportunities identified in Pros-

perity by Design will lay the foundation

for the future growth of our city.

Each of the five pillars outlined in Pros-

perity By Design are legitimate opportu-

nities for our community to capitalize on.

We’ve become a regional service hub for

the smaller surrounding communities;

the more regional retail we can attract,

the more likely our neighbours will visit.

We have a burgeoning advanced manu-

facturing sector beginning to see major

growth, with Behlen industries being our

crown jewel and an international player.

We see tremendous opportunity to de-

velop our value-added agriculture sec-

tor; we are raw material rich but process-

ing poor. We could be shipping finished

goods to end users and capitalizing on

the economic benefits of processing

right here in our community. While oil

prices aren’t co-operating right now, I’m

confident that the Bakken oilfield is here

for the long-haul – we should take this

slower time to plot our next move so we

can make sure it’s the right one. And fi-

nally, Brandon first has announced a bid

to host the Labatt Brier, putting Brandon

back on the map as the “host city”.

I envision a bright future for Brandon

and the surrounding area. While the ma-

jor growth in Bakken oilfield is slowing,

it’s allowing our labour market to re-

balance itself. Our members tell us that

hiring employees is becoming slightly

less challenging, and that employee re-

tention numbers are up. The provincial

government is slowly amending the hog

moratorium, which could result in in-

creased hog production in the western

portion of our province. Our agriculture

committee has made good strides with a

policy directed at a facts based, sustain-

able solution to this problem.

While there are still issues with the

Temporary foreign Workers Program,

we’re starting to see headway being

made at the federal level with a task

force being struck to ensure that the

agri-food and agri-food processing in-

dustries have an adequate supply of

skilled labour. While this hasn’t begun to

bear fruit, we’re hoping that there will be

a short term solution to bridge the gap

between our present problems and get-

ting our domestic workforce to market.

The Brandon Chamber of Commerce

board of directors, our committees, and

dedicated staff look forward to working

with you to capitalize on every opportu-

nity in the years to come. Our Chamber

is here to serve you, to make business

better for everyone. Please, as you read

the pages that follow, be proud of those

in your community that are making a dif-

ference. •••

Discover the power of a positive

workplace!

[email protected]

www.PartnersInDiscovery.com .

FIVE STEPS TO MANAGING STRESS: RECOGNIZING WHAT WORKS

AVAILABLECHRISTMAS2015

Genella Macintyre, M.A., Trainer, Consultant, Author

AVAILABLE FEBRUARY

2016

We provide customized workshops and training, personalized coaching for leaders, and workplace reviews designed to

build a positive and respectful workplace.


Welcome to the annual edition of the

Brandon Business Review. At the Bran-

don Chamber of Commerce, we know

that our greatest strength is our mem-

bership and we take tremendous pride

in this publication because it allows us

to showcase our members and their suc-

cesses.

In this issue, we once again salute the

recipients of our Business Achievement

Awards. Through the Chamber awards

we recognize the contributions of our

business community in business excel-

lence, new entrepreneurship, lifetime

achievement, service to the community,

and of those at the “peak” of their career.

Our membership represents a diverse

and broad business community, which

is truly reflected in our award recipients.

As in previous issues, all are great exam-

ples of business success and leadership

and they demonstrate that excellence

comes in all forms, shapes, and sizes.

After reading the business profiles you

will know why we are so proud of our

business community and why our city is

a great place to live, work, play, and do

business.

Along with stories that profile our

award recipients, you will find features

that highlight businesses perspective

on opportunities for future growth in

Brandon and the prospect of tapping

into under-utilized workforces. you will

find tips about improving your business’

financial literacy, and learn about local

examples of innovation and technology.

There are many exciting things happen-

ing in our city and we encourage you to

read all the great stories to learn more.

At the Chamber, we advocate, con-

nect, and educate but we also do so

much more. We will continue to pro-

vide great networking opportunities,

professional development sessions, and

cost saving benefits, as well as advocat-

ing on behalf of business. Whether it is

municipal budget matters, provincial

and federal policy issues, or discussions

and collaborations with other commu-

nity stakeholders we will represent your

business interests.

We have been voice of business for

over 132 years in our community. We

are proud of our long history of helping

Brandon businesses succeed and look

for forward to serving our members and

community in the year ahead.

Please contact us to learn more about

the tools the Brandon Chamber of

Commerce can give your business to

prosper and grow. Visit us at

www.brandonchamber.ca •••

Greetings from the BrandonChamber of Commerce General ManagerCAROLyNN CANCADE

204.728.73641331PrincessAvenue,Brandon,Manitoba

Offeringcompletedesignsolutionsforyourcommercial,industrial,agricultural&residentialprojects.

DanielBurns,P.Eng.CivilEngineer

MichaelMaendel,P.Eng.StructuralEngineer

www.bmce.cawww.brandonbusinessinteriors.com

We service commercial, institutional, and small business

markets through our relationships with industry leading

suppliers and manufacturers.

Ph: 204.727.8088 | Fax: 204.726.3375

jandggroup.ca

204-728-2235

2404 Park Avenue,

J&G Group encompasses a variety of products and services suited to assist you with your next project,

regardless of the scope!

• Excavation• Construction• Plumbing/Heating• Equipment Rentals

• Building Materials• Land Development• Aggregate Supply• Concrete Services

Brandon

2015-2016BOARD Of DIRECTORS

President JORDAN LUDWIG Brandon Business Interiors

GREG CRISANTITim Hortons

JASON ThORPEThorpe Construction Ltd.

kAREN MACDONALDAssiniboine Community College

JORDAN TROTTERC & C Rentals

kARLA DANEMeighen Haddad

TERRy CARLISLECando Rail Services Ltd.

BONNIE NAy-DRAPEREntrepreneurship Manitoba

secretary / treasurerTAMI RAE CLEMENTSNetSet Communications / I-Netlink Wireless

Past-PresidentTODD BIRkhANBDO Canada

Vice-PresidentTERRy BURGESSRBC Royal Bank


fRANk ARNDTmyITsource & MTS Connect Corral Centre – Corral Communications Ltd.

JEff hOODMNP LLP


ROSA vILLAMIzARBehlen Industries

Brandon Chamber of Commerce 2015-2016 Board of Directors.

Mazergroup Construction General Manager Denny Bouchard 204-761-8835 [email protected]

CALL TOLL FREE 1.866.576.8099

HEAD OFFICE 1908 Currie Blvd

Brandon, MB R7B 4E7

DENNY BOUCHARD General Manager

204.761.8835

w w w . m a z e r g r o u p . c a

PARTS, SALES & SERVICE

AGRICULTURE > CONSTRUCTION > TURF AND LANDSCAPE > PRECISION TECHNOLOGY

mazergroup.ca

A PROUD PAST, A STRONG FUTURE

Arborg ...................204-376-5600

Brandon .................204-728-2244

Crystal City ........... 204-873-2480

Hartney .................204-858-2000

Killarney ............... 204-523-4414

Moosomin............. 306-435-3610

Neepawa ............... 204-476-2364

Portage la Prairie ...204-857-8711

Roblin .....................204-937-2134

Shoal Lake .............204-759-2126

Ste. Rose du Lac ...204-447-2739

Steinbach .............204-326-9834

Swan River ........... 204-734-9361

Winnipeg .............. 204-253-2900


Greetings from the Mayor of BrandonRICk ChREST

“We Are Brandon!” is a phrase I coined in my State of the City ad-dress presented at the Brandon Chamber of Commerce luncheon in May. In my view Brandon has a unique spirit, positive energy, sense of collaboration and record of caring for one another. Many of us take these characteristics for granted until it is mentioned by people who may be newer to Brandon or doing business here from other locales. I failed to find an adjective that properly de-scribes these virtues other than to define it as “We Are Brandon!”. I’m not attempting to create a new slogan or a chant for our sports teams, but indeed we have a unique spirit and we should be proud of the kind of community it creates.

Brandon has been a city since its very inception in 1882, never a village nor a town, and has enjoyed positive steady growth over its history with a solid surge in the last decade. One of our big-gest assets is Brandon’s role as Manitoba’s second largest city and the regional hub for the entire western part of the province. With a population of 50,000, Brandon offers far more amenities and ser-vices than almost any other Canadian city our size. for example, Brandon has both a significant university in Brandon University and a prominent community college with Assiniboine Commu-nity College. We are the major regional health hub for the western side of the province with a large and advanced Brandon Regional health Centre coupled with a recently built Cancer Treatment Cen-tre. Due to its large trading area of upwards of 200,000 Brandon offers a significant selection of retail shopping, restaurants, hotels, and banking and professional services. We have a robust manufac-turing sector, a large transportation, and material handling sector and a significant presence in the construction and heavy construc-tion industries. Brandon is bullish on economic development and we are actively engaged in proactive marketing and working col-laboratively with development interests.

Brandon is also well recognized as a “host city”, having hosted numerous national and international events and sporting champi-onships. Through our event marketing organization, Brandon first, our City is amping up efforts to attract major events. One of the first significant targets has been towards national curling events, an area in which Brandon has had significant experience and suc-cess. Tourism Brandon also focusses on the broader tourism cat-egory which continues to show a solid economic impact for this city.

City hall, through its professional management and staff, main-tains and supports the needs of a growing and active commu-nity. Our City Council consisting of myself and 10 councillors is approaching its first year of service as a new council, and thus far has shown itself to be a very collegial, constructive, and positive team with a genuine dedication to moving our city forward. We are pleased to work collaboratively with local organizations such as the Brandon Chamber of Commerce to accelerate our positive momen-tum. Brandon continues to live up to its reputation as one of the greatest little cities to live, work, play, do business, raise a family, become educated, or just to visit. I am privileged to be the mayor of such a fine city and I’m very proud of the spirit, accomplishments, and good nature of our 50,000 residents. We Are Brandon!...and we’d be happy to have you join us. •••

Sincerely,

Rick Chrest – Mayor

We are Brandon!


1040—26th Street, Brandon, Manitoba R7B 2C1

Toll Free: 1-866-768-4847Phone: (204) 729-8844 Fax: (204) 727-4630

Specializing in Reverse OsmosisHome/Office/City/Rural Delivery

Water Cooler Sales/Rentals/Sanitizing Water Treatment/Filtration Systems Sales & Service

Purified Ice and Gourmet Coffee Specialists

What does family legacy mean to you?You’ve worked hard to build what you have. Legacy Lifeguard* from Branstone Financial Strategies gives you thetools to help you protect your financial future, grow your estate, and create a legacy of which you can be proud.

4A 457 - 9th Street, Brandon, MB R7A 1K2Tel: 204-578-5500

Website: www.branstone.ca

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” ~ Winston Churchill

©2014, Branstone Financial Strategies Inc., Trademark Pending

• Complete locksmith services • New and used safes• Security locking devices • Institutional, commercial and builders hardware

636 - 10th Street, Brandon, Manitoba R7A 4G5Bus: 204-725-0459 • Fax: 204-726-0492 • Toll Free: 1-888-817-8866

Email: [email protected]

Air ConditioningHeating – ControlsSteam – HydronicsEnergy ManagementElectronics

Cal Morrow24 Hr. Service

Ph. (204) 725-8103Fax (204) 728-1086Shop (204) 727-1666Email [email protected]

Commercial and IndustrialHVAC Sales and Services

Commercial & Hospitality

Cleaning Services

Toll Free: 1.800.840.8001 www.janiking.ca/manitoba

Proud to Support the Brandon Business Community


THE POWER OF AFFILIATION 800 business people with one unified voice for business means protection for your business. Businesses faced with unfair government administration, taxation, or legislation can use the Chamber as a valuable resource. Well-established channels to government and the power of representing over 800 delegates business people give the Chamber a voice that speaks louder than each business can alone.

Five Reasons to be a Chamber Member

1 Lobbying & Advocacy

With approximately 600 member companies, the Brandon Chamber of Commerce is the credible Voice of Business, speaking out on behalf of all members on a variety of topics, including working with the City of Brandon and Brandon School Division on business related issues. The Chamber also lobbies municipal, provincial and federal government representatives regarding issues that face our Chamber members.

2 Leads, Referrals & Networking

The Brandon Chamber is about making connections...whether it’s chamber staff getting to know you and telling others about you or whether it’s you attending a variety of gatherings from small group events (Committee meetings and Business After 5’s) to larger functions (Luncheons, the Annual Dinner or Golf Tournament).

Or whether it’s you connecting with other Chamber members through our business directory, with its nearly 70 pages of listings and contacts - a who’s who of the business community.

3 Awareness & Promotion of Your Business

Joining the Brandon Chamber is about raising your profile in the business community. The Chamber offers you numerous opportunities to promote your business through sponsorship of a variety of events from luncheons and networking events to dinner’s and golf tournaments.

The Brandon Chamber of Commerce also provides advertising opportunities for your company in both print and electronic media, getting your message out to more than 800 business owners and their employees.

4 Cost Reduction Programs

The Brandon Chamber can save you money and make it easier to do business through such member benefits as group insurance, merchant discounts and payroll.

5 Learning, Education and Development

Whether it’s attending our luncheons and hearing from key political, business and community leaders or coming out to our Special Events throughout the year, the Brandon Chamber keeps you up-to-date on topics of current interest.

The Brandon Chamber also provides you an opportunity to volunteer and grow as an individual - whether it’s helping to develop policy, speaking at a Chamber meeting or welcoming guests at a Chamber event.

Making the Most of It

ADVERTISING Advertise to a targeted audience through our various marketing opportunities: the Chamber Insider e-Newsletter, Chamber at a Glance printed newsletter, Business Review Magazine, website, Membership Roster, mailer inserts and Event Sponsorship. As a new member, you also receive recognition at the first luncheon you attend and an opportunity for a free member profile in the Chamber @ a Glance. NETWORKING You are your greatest asset in teaching other people about what your business can do for them. By attending a Luncheon, Business After 5, Friday morning Coffee Break and other special events you can spread the word about your business to other Chamber members in the Brandon community. This is also your opportunity to learn about other businesses and how they can be of service to you. ADDING YOUR VOICE There are many opportunities to assist on a Chamber committee to lend your hand towards various Chamber initiatives on behalf of the business community. To maximize your membership benefit—get involved, meet people and be available for other members. Use the Chamber to broaden your personal network. Other business leaders, who know the pressures of ownership, can offer insight to the local marketplace or can be a sounding board for your newest idea. DISCOUNTS Various discounts are available to Chamber members, such as; AAA Security Systems; Ceridian (payroll); Christie’s Office Plus; MTS; The Chamber of Commerce Group Insurance Plan; and the TD Visa/Mastercard/Interac Merchant Plan.

BENEFITS OF CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP

Through membership in the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, you also benefit directly from your chamber's membership with the Manitoba and Canadian Chambers, whose advocacy efforts and initiatives advance public policy issues that are critical to all businesses

here in our community and in communities across the country.

For more information please contact the Brandon Chamber of Commerce (204) 571-5344 or email at [email protected]


By Sandy Trudel, director of Economic Development, City of Brandon

HIgH opTImISm

The past year has proven to be an inter-esting one for Manitoba’s second largest city with local and global changes im-pacting and shaping the local economy. The oil services sector in southwest Mani-toba continues to drive economic growth across Brandon and the southwest corner of the province despite the downturn in the global oil sector. That said there have been ripples felt throughout the local and regional economy as result of the low price of oil. The North American retail sector continues to evolve resulting in a few retail closures and opening the door for new op-portunities. Our population continues to grow and diversify, positively influencing the construction sector and labour pool. Changes to the value of the American dol-lar has provided increased opportunities for local manufacturers and paved the way to attract increased visitors from south of the border. True to form, Brandon business-es have proactively dealt with these chal-lenges and seized the opportunities that a constantly changing economy present.

Brandon’s GDP is projected to grow by 2.3 per cent in 2015 and 2.4 per cent in 2016 driven by gains in a number of sectors, in-cluding manufacturing, construction and wholesale, and retail trade. This pace is in keeping with previous year’s growth. The population is anticipated to grow at a rate of roughly 1.5 per cent annually for years to

PH

OTO

CO

URT

ESY

OF

EDB


Find resources to prevent injuries and improve safety and health in your workplace at safemanitoba.com

Injuries prevented and lives saved

that’s the VALUE ofSAFE Work

come. The growing population has placed Brandon in the enviable position of buck-ing the national trend with a population whose median age is actually decreasing rather than aging. In the past decade over 3,000 new dwelling units have been con-structed, with roughly 50 per cent of new construction multi-family units. Despite this activity the rental vacancy remains very low at 1.1 per cent. Residential con-struction levels slowed in 2014 and 2015, but are still strong when viewed against historical averages.

One does not have to look far to see that the benefits of Brandon’s diversified econ-omy. The local economy continues to grow as a result of new businesses and renewed investment from existing businesses. West-vic Common (northwest corner of victo-ria Avenue and 34th Street) has changed hands and the new owners are making great strides in formalizing a total face-lift for the existing building, bringing the 80,000 square feet of space to impressive current day mall standards. four pad sites will also be added to the site along victoria Avenue. Re-tenanting of the existing build-ing has gone well with a number of new re-tailers that have shown significant interest in locating in Brandon. All indications point toward a start to the redevelopment pro-cess in fall 2015 with concerted construc-tion activity underway by spring of 2016. Browns Socialhouse, a hybrid between an upscale casual dining restaurant and a neighbourhood pub opened in 2015, and is proving to be extremely popular.

Brandon’s downtown has two iconic buildings being redeveloped. The vacant

PHOTO COURTESY OF EDB


Supporting the Business Community in Brandon

• Book a meeting room• Borrow resources to help manage your business

Brandon Public Library710 Rosser Avenue Unit 1 204-727-6648Brandon MB R7A 0K9 [email protected]

PERSNICKETYFurniture Refinishers

721 Assiniboine AvenueBrandon, Manitoba R7A 0G5

Phone (204) 728-3974Toll Free 1-800-705-7818

Email [email protected]

Insurance Repairs and or Paint and Varnish Stripping.

GARETH BOYS

Directions:3 miles West on the Grand Valley Road, turn North on Gray Road, we’re at the top of hill – 2 storey, rust-coloured building

Lobby Hours: Monday to Saturday, 8:00 am – 6:30 pm Sunday, 10:30 am – 8:00 pm

CALL

729-9943

We carry a selection of petsupplies, from handmade

treats to hypoallergenic skinconditioners, from the

practical to the playful. Makesure you have some extra

time to sniff around the next time you visit us.

Paw Spaw • Zoom Room• A Bone to Pick Boutique • Wellness Room

• Luxury suites

Our ResortBuilt to the highest standards of pet care facilities.A calm, peaceful, healthy, and hygienic environment.Green design, recycled materials, top equipment.

Our Services

Boarding: Home-like comforts for dogs and cats.Grooming: Tailored packages and no-stress approach Dog Day Camp: Exercise, social time, and fun for your dog.Dog Training Classes: Puppy Life Skills, Basic Manners, and more.

We will treat your very important pet like family. Because all Pets are family to us

Enjoy the benefits andsavings of our

Frequent GuestPackages or Players &

Stayers cards.

“’’

Because your pet is family too!

Alfonso DesignClient: Powell ConstructionFile: PC_CARM_FullPage_Ad_FN.inddSize: 8.375” x 10.875” [Bl=.125”]Date: September 2, 2015

Photos: HRLogos: HRRes: 300ppiDes: AAProofed by: TR

CARM FULLPAGE AD W/BLEEDC M Y K














With claim reporting, return to work and online services available 24/7

wcb.mb.ca

If you’rehurt at work,we’re

here to help

former Mckenzie Seeds properties on Ninth Street is being redeveloped into ap-proximately 85 two- and three-bedroom loft-style apartments and commercial space. Phase 1 construction of 40 residen-tial units and 2,500 square feet of com-mercial space will be completed in late 2016, with phase 2 anticipated to com-mence shortly thereafter. The century old former Central fire Station No. 1 is being transformed into a main floor contempo-rary gastropub (Prairie firehouse) that will boast an outdoor patio. The restaurant is slated to open late 2015. The second floor of the former fire hall will be developed into commercial space with the third floor destined for residential use.

Behlen Industries, Canada’s largest manufacturer of steel building solutions, unveiled a one of a kind innovative combi-nation of software, robotics, and process-es enabling the company to use robotic technology for custom manufacturing. Assiniboine Industrial Services is enjoying the benefits of their newly constructed and significantly expanded facility, en-abling them to capture today’s business opportunities and still have room for fu-ture growth. koch fertilizer Canada is in-vesting over $30 million in their Brandon facility and continue to actively recruit a skilled workforce from throughout Cana-da. Shape foods, the only manufacturer offering pure, unrefined cold pressed flax oil that does not require refrigeration and is shelf-stable for up to two years has moved to a 24-7 production schedule to keep pace with demand. The company has advanced research and development


4 Brandon Now!

The power of the clothing is based on an emerging area of science called Light Therapy which has a beneficial effect on people by harnessing wavelengths of light.

The human body is constantly giving off electromagnetic energy. The fabric in Firma Energywear can reflect the body’s own energy back into the skin and muscles with tremendous benefits.

Natural BioActive Crystals imbedded into the luxurious material Increase Oxygen to the Skin and

Muscle Tissue resulting in:

• Reduced Muscle and Joint Pain

• Thermoregulation – If the body is hot, then you will feel cooler and if the body is

cool, you will feel warmer

• Helps Reduce Lactic Acid Buildup • 100% Breathability

• Aids in Cellulite Reduction

Long Sleeve Mock Turtleneck

Invisible Tank Top

Hi-Rise LeggingsCirculation Socks

idealimagebrandon.com

GET

$10$10135 Industrial Drive, Brandon, MB R7A 7S5 Tel: 204-729-4911

With this

coupon off any

service!VALID UNTIL JAN 2016

Brandon Bus Lines6 - 55 and larger pax coach / 30 pax mini coach

Equipped with AC | DVD | VCR | Clean Washrooms Motor Coach charters in Canada and the USA for all occasions

Professional drivers at reasonable ratesPhone (204) 571-0231 | www.brandonbuslines.com

Windsor PlywoodCANADA’S Original FINISHING STORE

“Take a walk through our woods”

JASON KUSNICK - Manager

Fax (204) 727-2619 Toll Free 1-800-224-7506

Telephone (204) 728-4243 Email: [email protected]

Website: www.windsorplywood.net

1840 - 18TH STREET NORTH - BRANDON, MB R7C 1A5


projects underway and continues to ex-plore new markets, while presently ex-porting to customers around the globe, including korea, Taiwan, China, southeast Asia, Europe, Latin America, and of course within Canada and the United States. Saputo recently completed a significant expansion at their Brandon facility that doubled both their physical size and their work force.

Brandon University’s new Innovation zone is open for business, providing train-ing in the use of computer-aided-design software and 3D printing technology. The Innovation zone supports entrepreneurs, local businesses, and students in the adop-tion of this new technology and employing it in the construction (3D printing) of proto-types and models to aid in the development and commercialization of new products.

WestJet’s daily service between Brandon and Calgary continues to be extremely successful. WestJet confirmed that they will add a second daily Brandon – Calgary return flight effective January 16, 2016. The new flight will depart at 6 a.m. and return the same day at 10:50 p.m., enabling trav-ellers to conduct a full day of business in Calgary before returning home and make many sun destination connections out of Calgary. The route expansion coincides nicely with the $8.8-million airport redevel-


opment that will commence in late 2015, and wrap up in late 2016, tripling the size of the airport. The terminal redevelopment project will greatly improve the informa-tion technology infrastructure, security, and passenger lounge areas providing a more enjoyable travel experience for those flying to and from Brandon.

Brandon’s growing economic base and population is essential to long-term pros-perity but also comes at a short-term price. Sustained growth is catching up with the community. Our infrastructure is strained, the base of readily developable industrial and commercial land is shrinking, land costs are rising, and unemployment rates continue to be low. Recognizing growing infrastructure needs, the City of Brandon approved its highest infrastructure capital budget in history in 2015. Brandon and Area Planning District’s recently completed growth strategy has spurred meaningful ongoing discussions on Brandon’s growth nodes and associated infrastructure needs. These discussions and resulting infrastruc-ture investments will undoubtedly serve as the impetus to proactively direct future growth in Brandon and the immediately surrounding area.

A growing population, sustained invest-ments from existing and new businesses, and a strategic yet flexible plan for eco-nomic prosperity combined with an abun-dance of rich agricultural resources, close proximity to the oil services sector and an engaged business community form a solid foundation for continued economic pros-perity. Optimism is high in Brandon and rightly so. •••

HOURS

Light Medium & Heavy TowingLocal & Long Distance Hauling

Brandon, MB

Ltd.

• Hot Shot Service • Lockouts • Tire Service • Gas Delivery • 12 & 24V Boosting • Car Carrier• Winching & Recovery • On-Site Thawing

Fax Number: 728-2522 email: [email protected]

brandon940 douglas st 728-2580

Thanks, I appreciate

your business!

Roadside Service

FOR VEHICLE & PERSONAL ARTICLE RELEASES - OFFICE HOURS MON-FRI 8:30AM - 5PM (CLOSED HOLIDAYS)

We Specialize In Customer Satisfaction! www.acceltowing.ca

AIR RIDE - TILT DIVISION • 55 TON Sliding Axle Till Trailer • 40 TON Sliding Axle Till Trailer • 13 TON Single Body Till Deck • Overdimensional Loads • Office Trailer Relocation • Low Bed ServiceTransportation Of... • Machinery & Equipment • Skid Shacks & Containers

CUSTOM HAULINGFLATDECK SERVICESPECIALTY SERVICE


The city of Brandon is on a set path to economic development for at least the next five years thanks to the new Pros-perity by Design Plan – 2014/2019 Eco-nomic Growth Strategy. Introduced by Economic Development, the strategy builds upon the city’s existing competi-tive advantages. It focuses resources on six strategic directions and five key sec-tors – all of which are expected to help grow Brandon in a logical and methodi-cal way that will prove advantageous to all who reside or work in the area.

“We want to make sure that our hu-man resources and financial resources are being used in the best way possible,” explains Sandy Trudel, director of Eco-nomic Development, City of Brandon. “you have a million different directions available with economic growth and de-velopment. We have to make sure that we are channeling the resources in such a way that makes sense for the commu-nity, the people, and for what we’re try-ing to achieve.”

And what the city is trying to achieve

is significant growth in the years ahead.

“Between now and 2019, we hope to

co-ordinate efforts so Brandon can grow

to the next level, to become Manitoba’s

second city,” states Todd Birkhan, partner,

BDO. “The plan is expected to generate

action and get people to co-ordinate in the areas where we have strengths, which will lead to population growth, development growth, and expansion of Brandon itself.”

According to Birkhan, the new plan stems from the need to focus the com-munity’s economic development efforts in a collaborative way, to gain a better understanding of the city’s advantages, strengths, and opportunities.

planned poTenTIal

The plan is the result of public consul-tations and input from close to 100 indi-viduals, organizations, and associations. A business-oriented advisory committee helped direct the process.

“The key to everything that makes Brandon such a great place to live is con-tinued economic growth,” says Trudel. “We took a look at where we were and at the key sector strengths of our communi-ty. Then we looked at gaps preventing us from realizing opportunities and work to

developed FrameWorkEconomic Development’s new plan proves promising for economic growth By Melanie Franner

Sandy Trudel, director of Economic Development, City of Brandon.


Pathways to Greatness!B y Z e n i t h P a v i n g

Contact us today for all your paving needs

108 Richmond avenue e.Brandon, MB R7a 7g1P. (204) 728.3388 | F. (204) 727.3748toll Free. (877) 728.3388

Commercial Residential• Construction Management• General Contracting• Mechanical HVAC• Geothermal Experts• Design Services

204-725-3691kcandb.ca

Harry KeenWe’re more than just mufflers and brakes!

601 - 9th Street Ph: (204) 727-0020 Brandon, MB R7A 4B3 Fax: (204) 728-9378

WE LEASE COMMERCIAL DISH MACHINES!

NO CHEMICAL MINIMUMS!

CALL US! (204) 729 - 9210

CALLING ALL RESTAURANT OWNERS!

WESTERN MANITOBA’S LARGEST & MOST RESPECTED RESTORATION COMPANY

FOR OVER 25 YEARS• Fire & Water Damage Repair

• Contents Inventory & Evaluation

• Content Removal & Cleaning

• Specialized Deodorizing

• Electronics Cleaning

• Mould Remediation

215 COLLEGE AVENUE, BRANDON, MB PH: 204-728-8909 | FAX: 204-727-5621

24 HOUR SERVICE

cancaderestoration.com


engage everyone to cohesively fill those gaps. At the end of the day, you have to have growth and prosperity to sustain and build a community where people wish to live.”

The six strategic directions that form the framework of the Prosperity by Design plan include: • Industry Attraction and Retention:

some 80 per cent of the city’s growth is anticipated to come from existing businesses;

• TalentAttraction,Retention,andWork-force Development: critical to industry attraction and retention;

• EventTourism:agrowingsector;• Regional Retail Centre: shown that

proven demand already exists;• RecognitionandRespect:withthecity

already recognized as being one of opportunity locally, regionally, provin-cially, and nationally; and

• OrganizingforCompetitiveness:creat-ing a strong foundation for growth.Identifying the city’s key sectors that

will drive economic growth is the other critical component of the new Prosperity by Design plan.

“The second part of the plan is to make sure we are taking the time to go in-depth and fully understand and further develop the city’s key sectors that cur-rently support economic development,” says Trudel. “We’re not looking to scratch

Contact us: [email protected] 204-360-3676 (Winnipeg) or 1-888-624-9376 hydro.mb.ca/psfb

Saving energy is smart business for every business.

* Manitoba Hydro is a licensee of the Trademark and Official Mark.

Manitoba Hydro offers a variety of incentive programs and financing for businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re purchasing new kitchen appliances for your small restaurant or upgrading your office’s heating system, our programs will help you identify areas where you can improve energy efficiency, lower operating costs, and increase overall profit. Improve your bottom line with Power Smart*.


the surface; we’re looking to dive right in.”

The five key sectors identified in the plan include:• AgribusinessandFoodProcessing;• EventTourism;• OilServices;• RegionalRetail;and• AdvancedManufacturing.

“All sectors have very different poten-tial and will reap different rewards,” notes Trudel. “you can’t grow the economy on one sector. And, in this case, all the sectors

identified already contribute to quality of life and economic development.”

agrIculTure and Food proceSSIng

With its roots in agriculture and farm-ing, the city of Brandon is well positioned to build upon this already strong sector. More than 350 businesses – and 4,000+ employees – directly serve the area’s existing agricultural industry. The plan identifies new potential in the value-added food, nutraceuticals, and bioen-

ergy industries. This potential is further strengthened by the presence of an Ag-ricultural Canada Cereal Grains Research Centre and two thriving post-secondary institutions (Brandon University and Assiniboine College). Additionally, the province’s leading service for food en-trepreneurs – the internationally recog-nized food Development Centre – is lo-cated 115 kilometres east of Brandon in Portage la Prairie.

Shur-Gro & Munro has been a long-standing member of Brandon’s agricul-

We are fi rst and foremost specialists in the art of bra fi tting, carrying European bra lines ranging in size from A-K.

Come in for your “new beginning” today!

Phone - Fax (204) 725-4080 newbeginningsintimateapparel.com

[email protected]

601 - 18th Street, Brandon, MB Open Mon. - Fri. 10am to 5:30pm

Sat. 10am to 4pm

Our collections also include:• Sleepwear• Daywear• Swimwear• Accessories• Fashion forward casualwear

clothing

New Beginnings Intimate Apparell is de� nitely the store with MORE!

We are also certifi ed to do mastectomy fi ttings as well.


tural community. The supplier of fertil-izer and crop protection products is head-quartered in the city and has 11 branches throughout the province. Its partnership with another company brings the total number of provincial branches closer to 20.

“I relocated the business from the Win-nipeg area in 1968,” states Ron helwer, president, Shur-Gro & Munro. “I looked at the agriculture in the area, the fertilizer us-age and the different kinds of soil. It suited what I wanted to do. In the late ‘60s, agri-cultural went through a tough time. fertil-izer sales dropped almost in half between 1968 and 1971. That created a opportu-nity for me to grow the company. People in the fertilizer business were looking to get out and I wanted in. It turned out to be good timing on my part.”

Shur-Gro farm Services purchased Munro farm Supplies in 1990, which had been operating in Westbourne, Manitoba, since 1958.

“Brandon has been the top agricultural area for over 100 years,” adds helwer. “It has great soils. It has the Canadian Re-search Station, which has been useful over the years. And it is a good place to find employees.”

The company currently has about 120 full-time employees, which increases to around 200 in the spring and fall during the busy seasons.

“Relocating the company from the Winnipeg area to Brandon was definitely a good move,” states helwer. “Over the last 15 to 20 years, the city has attracted

M o r e t h a n a j o b . T h i n k c a r e e r . T h i n k o w n e r s h i p .Innovative rail support services.

Our employee ownership program provides the opportunity for our people to build a career with the company while benefiting from the advantages of ownership.

[email protected] 1-866-989-5310

candoltd.com

Visit www.assiniboine.net/stayconnected

and complete the online form or call Alumni

Relations at 204.725.8700 ext 7124 to

update your contact information. Get the free mobile app athttp:/ /gettag.mobi


We provide the following services:• Information, orientation and settlement support• English language programs• Employment support and referral• Volunteer services• Community outreach and cultural diversity training• Interpretation services• Family Programs• Youth Programs

1001 Pacific Avenue, Brandon, MB R7A 0J2Phone: (204) 727-6031 • Fax: (204) 725-4786 [email protected]

www.westmanimmigrantservices.ca

Assisting People From

Around The World

EMB Ad - Brandon Business Review Size: 4 5/8” wide x 4 5/8” high

Whether you’re an entrepreneur or a business owner, we offer a range of services at every stage of the business life cycle, including:

• information on starting and growing your business

• business counselling

• financial programs

• workshops and seminars

Contact us today:Western Regional Office 157 - 340 9th Street | Brandon 204-726-6250 | 1-855-542-5113

[email protected] EntrepreneurshipManitoba.ca

Your Entrepreneurial Journey Begins Here

many new businesses, most of them ag-ricultural.”

And although helwer believes that the area is probably over-serviced today, he is quick to add that the increased com-petition forces his company to increase efficiencies.

“Competition makes us very cost-ef-fective,” he says. “We have to look at the things that are changing in our industry and enhance the changes to better ser-vice our customers. That’s how we man-age to stay in business.”

evenT TourISm

Tourism has been identified in the plan as a way to not only generate wealth but to provide an opportunity to show-case the community and strengthen the brand as a great place to live, work, and operate a business. Additionally, tourism generates a demand for many services and amenities that serve to attract and retain residents.

The plan looks to generate maximum wealth through tourism and has identi-fied event tourism (events, conventions, and meetings) with the most potential to generate overnight stays.

“Brandon has 1,400 hotel rooms within the city,” states Jackie Nichol, executive director, Brandon first, a non-profit orga-nization with a mandate to promote the city as a destination for events. “We focus in the areas of sport, agriculture, and cor-porate meetings, and conventions.”

Jackie Nichol


The City itself has recognized the im-portance of event tourism to their con-tinued growth strategy and has recently agreed to provide additional funding to Brandon first from the City’s Accommo-dation Tax fund (ATf) program. The ATf stems from a $3 surcharge added to the bill of each hotel room in the city. Brandon first is currently funded by private stake-holders, the City of Brandon, and Travel Manitoba.

“This increased funding from the City will be used exclusively for pro-active

event recruitment,” adds Nichol. “This is a game changer for us. It will enable us to take this industry to the next level.”

The city of Brandon is also home to the keystone Centre – a 540,000-square-foot facility all under one roof. The keystone Centre holds more than 1,500 major events each year.

Significant events already on the books for the city include the 2016 Canadian Interuniversity Sports (CIS) Women’s vol-leyball National Championships and the 2017 and 2018 Legion National youth

Track & field Championships – both of which were made possible with the sup-port of Brandon first.

And it doesn’t stop here. Nichol sees great potential in the future of event tour-ism in Brandon – one that will prove ad-vantageous for everyone.

“Every one in the community benefits from event tourism,” she says. “Every store, every service provider, every venue. Peo-ple buy gas at our gas stations and grocer-ies from our grocery stores. Our residents who work here get more hours at the gas stations and grocery stores. There’s a whole circle of activity generated from event tourism, one that touches all as-pects of our city.”

oIl ServIceSSince 1999, crude oil production in

Manitoba has increased four-fold. And it’s doubled since 2008. The city of Brandon has some 14 active oil fields located with-in a 160 mile radius of its boundaries. Six of them are within an hour’s drive.

The oil services sector was identified as a key sector to economic growth for sever-al reasons, among them: the city’s proxim-ity to the oil fields; the availability of urban amenities; the existing oil services cluster; available labour force; and the established businesses well positioned to supply the sector with critical components like engi-neering services, fabricated metal prod-ucts, industrial machinery, equipment and services, and structural steel.

Synergy Land Services Ltd. is an ex-ample of one company that has grown alongside the oil industry. The company handles land issues with right of ways, ne-gotiating and maintaining right of ways on behalf of industry and government. The Brandon branch was set up in early 2012 with one lone individual. Today, there are five full-time employees.

“We chose to locate in Brandon be-cause it was well situated for our business, which includes Manitoba and a bit of eastern Saskatchewan,” says Gerry Davis, branch manager, Synergy Land Services. “I believe that our potential for growth in Manitoba is pretty good. And I think that the oil sector warrants being a key sector

Together we can identify the homefinancing solution that meets your needs.

Ask me how

We’ve got the rightmortgage for you

Sheri Bieganski Manager, Mobile Mortgage Specialist Tel: 204 761 2440 Fax: 855 813 1193 E: [email protected]


in the economic development plan. The town of virden is the oil and gas hub, but Brandon is the major centre for goods and ser-vices in the Westman area.”

regIonal reTaIlWith a trading area involving more than 180,000 people, the

city of Brandon has already established a solid retail foundation, one well supported with the Shopper’s Mall and the Corral Cen-tre. But some retail leakage still exists – and represents lost op-portunity to retain more discretionary spending within the local economy.

“We are the only enclosed fashion shopping centre in the West-man Region,” states kim James, general manager, Shopper’s Mall, who adds that the mall currently has 89 stores and services. It encompasses 369,000 square feet. “We average about 6.2 million shoppers each year.”

Shopper’s Mall will celebrate its 45th anniversary in 2016.“Right now, two of our main anchors have recently vacated,”

says James. “So we are in the midst of a redevelopment plan for both ends of the mall. Our leasing department is currently nego-tiating with a number of potential tenants. There is definitely a lot of interest.”

The two anchors that have vacated include Target (108,000 square feet) and Safeway (40,000 square feet).

“When our Target went dark, we met with both Economic De-velopment and the Chamber of Commerce and both have been very supportive during the redevelopment phase,” says James, who adds that the redevelopment is anticipated to be completed in the fall of 2016. “We believe there is lots of room for growth in retail in Brandon and think we will see a lot more of it in the near future.”

advanced manuFacTurIngThe competitive attributes that first gave Brandon its start in

the manufacturing industry – a strong transportation network, proximity to raw materials, low-cost power, a central location, and a low-cost labour force – are now facing increased competition from countries further afield. As such, the new Prosperity by Design plan has focused on advanced manufacturing – which requires in-novation, technology, and high-skilled labour. Many of the city’s existing manufacturers are poised for expansion and some, like Behlen Industries LP, have already begun to implement advanced manufacturing into their business.

“All of our manufacturing is done here in Brandon,” states Sean Lepper, vice-president, Behlen Industries. “We have a 300,000-square-foot facility where we produce custom I-Beams and roll-form products, like siding, roofing, etc.”

Behlen Industries set down roots in Brandon back in 1969. The company has evolved significantly since then – growing into the Canada’s largest manufacturer of steel building systems. It cur-rently employs some 250 people.

“Brandon is geographically very well suited for our main mar-kets, which are primarily in Western Canada,” says Lepper. “It is

PADDOCK DRILLING LTD.GEOTECHNICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS

BRANDON | WINNIPEG | SASKATOON4100 RICHMOND AVENUE EAST, BRANDON, MB R7A 7P8

GROUNDWATER & SOIL EXPLORATION

Phone: 204-725-0657Toll Free: 1-800-339-4908

Fax: 204-727-4926

www.paddockdrilling.comwww.paddockdrilling.com


close to major transportation highways so is convenient to get to and from, has a relatively low cost of living and offers a strong labour pool of good employees. Brandon is a farm-based com-munity with hard-working people.”

And, according to Lepper, the City of Brandon strives to make it an attractive place to do business.

“Whenever we’ve looked to the city or Economic Development for help, they have been very supportive of our needs,” he says. “They are always looking for ways to help us – be it working with new employees to help them get settled to making them feel at home with welcome packages.”

Advanced manufacturing is a subject with which Behlen Indus-tries is already familiar – and one that Lepper believes is key to future growth of both the company and the city.

“We’ve been investing heavily in modernizing our manufactur-ing facility with robotics and customized engineering software,” he says. “It’s the only route forward to us. Our focus is to be a pio-neer in the steel manufacturing industry. And I believe that once we get enough companies in the area working along those same lines, that advanced manufacturing will become an industry unto its own; one that will feed itself. Nothing stays the same for very long and manufacturing is no different. Steel may be an old prod-uct but the way we manufacture it continues to evolve.”

a neW cITy

The new Prosperity by Design plan has been well received by the community. Many recognize the need – and value – in having this type of framework upon which to build future growth.

“We’re a growing city,” says Jordan Ludwig, president, Brandon Chamber of Commerce. “And to date, we’ve been growing in a few different directions with no real plan of where we’re going. I think growth in itself is good but without a plan like this, things can happen haphazardly.”

BDO’s Birkhan refers to the new plan as a good beginning – with more work needed.

“I think the Prosperity by Design plan is a very important first step,” he says. “The plan by itself is an analysis. It’s information, not an action plan to getting things done. The plan is a critical first step but we now need to develop an action plan to complete the process and create results.”

Ludwig is also calling for “boots on the ground” to get the plan moving forward.

“Until we formalize a plan of how we’re going to tackle things, it’s just a marketing plan,” he says. “We need boots on the ground to get things moving. And we need business, the community, the city and the province to buy into it in order to succeed.”

And, by all appearances, it would appear that the new Prosper-ity by Design plan is certainly generating enthusiasm.

“from my eyes, there is a new energy in town,” says Ludwig. “People are a little bit more aggressive in chasing after growth. We’re focused on building a bigger and broader economy. With that comes population growth – which is good for the city and good for the economy.” •••

-

- -- --

—

-

- -- --

—

-

- -- --

—

-

- -- --

—

-

- -- --

—

-

- -- --

—

-

- -- --

—

410-9th Street • P: 204-729-2496 • F: 204-729-0101 • www.bnrc.ca

CELEBRATING

BRANDON 2000-2015

Wall of Rememberance

Housing - Rosser Avenue East

Brandon National Aboriginal Day

Thursday’s By The Waterfall, Global Market Music Series

(Above, Right)

Multiculturalism Summer Festival

Community Gardens

MIKE CASSELLSService Centre Manager

204-726-0283204-570-2326204-726-0784mike.cassells@canadianlinen.com398 Park Ave. EastBrandon, MB R7A 7A8 www.canadianlinen.com

telephone: cell: fax:

e-mail:address:

The first time the Canadian Pacific Railway pulled into Brandon in 1881, about 100 people were there to witness its arrival. One year later, over 3,000 had settled in the area, attracted by the good farmland, seeing opportunities as wide open as the Manitoba sky. Today, the city of Brandon is the second-largest in Manitoba, still surrounded by good farmland and with forward-thinking citizens working to continue that tradition of success and growth.

The Brandon Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee, made up of visionaries within all sectors of the agriculture industry – from farmers to food processors, agriculture service companies to post-secondary educators and both provincial and federal government representatives – is dedicated to strengthening and growing the industry in Western Manitoba.

“We had to start with the question of what we wanted this com-mittee to be,” says Craig Senchuk, past president of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, Ag Committee member and coach for Agri-Trend. “But there was so much, we had to narrow our focus and apply project management controls. We needed to start something and get it to the finish to get some benefits.”

The decision was made to move up the agricultural chain and focus on value-added industries. Recent technological and sci-entific advances in areas such as bio-engineering and crop hy-bridization, help to keep farms profitable and productive, while the food products sector is one of Manitoba’s largest industries. Putting the two together in Brandon is behind the mission of the Agriculture Committee.

“There are lots of opportunities, lots of crops growing around here,” says Senchuk. “But we’re sending out all our grain, our cano-la, most of our beef. A lot of money happens in the value-added chain, so rather than shipping our products away, we’d like to see some of the processing stay here.”

Some businesses have already recognized the Brandon and area advantages. Shape foods, the only producer in the world of cold-pressed flax oil with a two-year shelf life that does not re-quire refrigeration, operates a 70,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art production facility in the city. Along with high-quality flax oil, made through a unique proprietary process, flax meal pellets are produced from the seed cake left behind after crushing.

“We source our seed from a number of suppliers with the ma-jority coming from Manitoba and Saskatchewan,” says Dane Lin-

denberg, sales manager at Shape foods, adding she estimates about 40 tonnes of flax seed at a time come in by truck, which is over 400 tonnes every month. “As well we have the capabilities to do all our retail packaging in-house, including private labels – whatever the customer wants.”

That’s value added on top of a value-added industry. “The growing gluten-free demand has had a big impact on ap-

plication of flax meal,” says Lindenberg, adding that means sig-nificant growth for the company as it contemplates looking at increasing capacity down the road. “Brandon’s been a great com-munity for us; it’s ideally located from a supply chain standpoint and we’ve found great employees. And it’s right in the middle of the country, perfect for shipping out to North America and the world.”

McCain foods (Canada) also saw the advantage of being close to a quality primary source within the excellent potato-growing soil and weather conditions of Western Manitoba. In 2004, the company acquired its frozen french-fry and potato specialties production plant from Midwest foods in Carberry, going on to become one of the most highly advanced plants of its kind in North America, often following a 24-7 schedule to keep up with demand.

Manitoba Starch Products is an inspiring example of business adding value along the agriculture food chain.

“We are the only potato starch manufacturing company in Can-ada,” says Earl McLaren, president and CEO of Manitoba Starch. “We take a co-product of the french fry and chipping industry, po-tato starch, and supply it into the food-grade and pet food indus-tries – everything from gluten-free manufacturers to Planters Pea-nuts where our product holds the flavouring onto the peanuts.”

Potato starch is also used in soups, sauces, noodles, and as the binder that holds dog kibble together. In addition, the company has developed an extract used in the swine industry to reduce the use of antibiotics.

Earl and Derek McLaren started their company after a 23-year apprenticeship as farmers. Working with research centres, food development centres, and universities across North America, they have come up with many different attributes of potato starch, looking at its extensive use in Europe and continuing to try to bring technology and new markets to North America.


From STrong rooTS come many BrancHeSBrandon’s strong agriculture sector trickles down the value-added chain By Deb Smith


“We started with two people in 2002; today we have 16 full-time along with several more fully engaged in market-ing and development. We have good key people with us; people who sometimes have to wear different hats, cross-train-ing wherever they’re needed,” explains McLaren. “We run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and the facility is completely automated. On top of that, we have really loyal customers across Canada and the United States.”

It has taken a lot of hard work and vi-sion to build Manitoba Starch into the successful agricultural business that it is today.

It is this kind of vision and attitude that the Brandon Ag Committee is working to encourage and facilitate.

“Consider Behlen Industries,” says Senchuk. “The company is a very big manufacturer here in Brandon, making steel buildings and granaries for the ag-riculture industry. They’ve been really ex-panding their agricultural exposure in the last couple of years.”

Today, Behlen is the largest supplier of steel building solutions in Canada, selling world-wide. And it all began with selling grain bins to the local farms.

Ag Committee members Mona Cor-nock, director of Rural Development with Manitoba food and Rural Development (MAfRD) and Derrick Turner from the As-

1329 Rosser Ave East in Brandon | www.greenspotbrandon.com

Monday to Sunday 10am - 6pm / Thursday and Friday open late till 8pm

Christmas Spectacular (opens November 2, 2015)

Presents

• Ladies Night - Friday, Nov. 6

• Festival of Poinsettias - begins Nov. 29

• Fresh Cut Christmas Trees - begins Nov. 27

• Photos with Santa - Nov. 21-22

• Neighbourhood Farmer’s Market - Dec. 12

Join us for these Holiday Events


Wetlands support Westman. Now it’s your turn to support wetlands.

Wetlands filter our drinking water and reduce flooding and drought. But despite these benefits, we continue to lose them in southwest Manitoba. Make wetlands your business and do your part for a healthier Westman by supporting Ducks Unlimited Canada. Ask us how by calling 1-866-251-DUCK (3825) or emailing [email protected]

siniboine Community College in Bran-

don are facilitating a one-day conference

in the fall, looking at how to encourage

value-added businesses into the area.

Cornock explains, “We’re going to bring

forward some ideas in terms of where

there might be opportunities and how

we can build on our current successes.

The conference will highlight some of

the services that are available, such as

the Composites Innovation Centre and

the food Development Centre.”

Senchuk explains, “you don’t really

know all that’s happening out in West-

ern Manitoba; it gets everyone thinking

about what else there could be. These

ag-related companies know what kind

of products they’re bringing in and what

they’re sending out and what could be

enhanced in the middle with what we’ve

got here. for example, there are more soy

beans being grown around here now,

with new varieties coming out a soy bean

crusher would be great.”

The roots of Brandon are deep in the

prairie soil, providing strength to a grow-

ing and diversified economy. With its

mission to nurture that growth, the Ag

Committee is set up and ready to move

in whatever direction is necessary to fol-

low up on opportunities and ideas within

value-added and all aspects of the agri-

culture industry. •••


It’s no secret that Canada’s workforce is aging and this situation has translated into not only fewer available workers, but a shortage of highly-skilled people. While newcomers have helped fill the gap to a certain extent, many companies have been forced to scramble to find replacements as employees transition into retirement.

But what if there was some untapped source of experienced, qualified of workers eager to get to work and contribute to your company’s success?

Several Brandon-based organizations have been successful in helping compa-nies and non-profits fill this labour void by tapping into what have traditionally been underrepresented segments of the workforce. Three of those organizations offer their take on why companies should consider all their options when it comes to hiring and how doing so can be good for business.

experIenced WorkerS avaIlaBle

Ageism has been called one of the last bastions of prejudice in the North Ameri-can workforce. A non-profit organization is working hard to change that.

ThirdQuarter is a division of Skills Con-nect Inc. which specializes in recruit-ment services for job seekers aged 45 or older and has worked with a number of employers in Brandon and the Westman region.

“Somebody came to us the other day and said we’d love to work with you but we don’t want to hire Grampa Simpson. you should have seen the look on my face,” says ThirdQuarter President and CEO Sue Barkman.“ There are a lot of blind spots when it comes to this age group and a lot of assumptions that are all wrong. People assume by the time you are 45 or 50 you don’t want to work anymore. The truth is most of these folks would happily

work [for a company] for 10 years or more whereas a lot of younger people work [somewhere] for two to three years...and then they’re off to new things.”

In addition to their loyalty, Barkman says more experienced workers often enjoy a better relationship with a compa-ny’s customers because they have more shared life experiences.

“They remember about customer ser-vice. They have strong customer service skills. They’re empathic,” she says. “They also have the confidence that they’ve been there before and done that. A mil-lennial might start a Google or a compa-ny like that. They’ll come up with a great idea...and then they stop in their tracks and go ‘how do we market it? how do we finance it?’ With a more seasoned per-son they’ll say...here’s how we market it, here’s how we get investment. And they keep a steady hand on things.”

a varIeTy oF SoluTIonSTapping into a diversified pool of talent to counter a looming labour shortage By Jim Timlick


Barkman says bringing experienced workers into a company is easy: just look at their skill set rather than their birth cer-tificate.

“Take a look at the person and what they can bring to the organization rather than what they can’t,” she says, adding employers should ensure that all job postings and job descriptions are inclu-sive rather than exclusive.

an IndIgenouS TalenT pool

While the labour pool may be shrinking, the employment rate among Aboriginal people has remained relatively static dur-ing the past several years. The local chap-ter of a national, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the employment of Aboriginal people would like to reverse the former by increasing the latter.

Barry french, past chair of the Westman chapter of the Inter-provincial Association on Native Employment (IANE), says with the number of Canadians over the age of 65 expected to double by 2030 and Ab-original people being the country’s fastest growing under-20 segment “that looks like a natural fit to me when it comes to em-ployee replacement.”

french cautions that employers shouldn’t look at hiring Aboriginal workers as simply a civic responsibility or good will gesture. Because many Aboriginal people have extended families and come from tightly-knit communities “when you have one person who’s successful in a company what will happen is they’ll talk it up to oth-ers,” he says, which can give a business an edge when it comes to recruiting.

Another benefit to accessing the Aborig-inal talent pool, french says, is that it can have a spinoff effect for the employer and other local businesses.

“If you can engage that [segment] and get them working for you and you become the business of choice in that industry that can speak to a fairly significant increase in business for you,” he says.

french says the most important thing a business needs to do if it’s serious about hiring Aboriginal employees is to build an effective strategy in concert with first Na-tions communities.

“When you engage the community the whole community gets behind it. It cre-ates more of a supportive network plus you’ll understand how to get the best out of your Aboriginal employees by getting that community buy-in,” he says.

aBIlITIeS over dISaBIlITIeS

According to data gathered by Statis-tics Canada, the employment rate among Canadians with a disability was 49 per cent in 2011 compared to 79 per cent for individuals without a disability.

While great strides have been made in that regard in recent years, a director with a Brandon-based agency that assists people with disabilities to find and main-tain employment says there is still a long way to go.

“We say that the jobless rate in Canada is roughly seven to eight per cent...but the rate among people with disabilities is certainly higher than that,” says Wade Winmill, director of marketing for Career Connections.

Winmill says the number one reason companies should consider hiring a per-son with a disability is they make good employees.

“People with disabilities are proven to have a higher rate of reliability in the workforce and just as high a rate of suc-cess,” he says. “People with disabilities make very good long-term, reliable em-ployees and are very, very dedicated. They’re appreciative of the opportunity they’re given.”

Winmill’s advice to company’s who are serious about hiring individuals with a disability is to work with a non-profit agency like Career Connections. Most provide their services to employers at no cost and will continue to work with both employees and employers for as long as they are needed.

“Working with an agency like ours re-ally improves the chance of success for both the employer and the employee,” he says.

WHy dIverSIFy?

Barbara Bowes says there is a simple reason why employers need to consider

all their options when it comes to staff-ing.

“Companies and organizations should really represent the environments they [are] in. you need to reflect that [diversi-ty],” says Bowes, president of the Legacy Bowes Group, one of the top human re-sources firms in Manitoba.

“When you walk into a business you need to see people who live in that en-vironment. Why? Because they are the people who buy your products and ser-vices. The more diversity you have in your organization the more you can reach out to a bigger clientele.”

Bowes says that by reaching out to include underrepresented groups in their workforce companies can avoid the “cloning” trap that many organizations fall into where everyone shares the same views.

“you’re going to have much more in-novation and many more ideas and prob-lem-solving capabilities,” she says.

Bowes says the best way for companies to achieve that is to use targeted recruit-ment campaigns and work with agencies that represent the specific groups they are seeking to hire. They should also con-sider flexible work arrangements that are geared to an individual’s specific circum-stances. •••

SYNERGY LANDS E R V I C E S L T D .

Head Office: 200, 2710 17th Avenue S.E.

Calgary AB T2A 0P6

Office: 403.283.4400 Fax: 403.283.8318

1.877.961.LAND (5263)

www.synergyland.ca

Branch Locations:Brandon, MB - Tel: 204-728-4400

Cambridge, ON - Tel: 519-260-3000Ft. St. John, BC - Tel: 250-785-4400Ft. Macleod, AB - Tel: 403-553-4165

Regina, SK - Tel: 306-546-5263St. Albert, AB - Tel: 780-458-2233


Boosting financial literacy is one of the most important things small businesses can do to improve their odds of long-term success. The single biggest reason that more small businesses don’t succeed is that they lack the financial literacy skills needed to navigate obstacles. Evidence of this comes directly from small business owners themselves.

Intuit, provider of business, financial and tax management solutions for small and mid-sized businesses across Canada, asked 500 Canadian small business owners to take a 10-question financial literacy quiz. The quiz included basic questions, such

as: “What is the role of the balance sheet? What is the definition of accruals? how can short-term cash-flow be improved?”

The results show there is a real need to help Canadian small businesses with their financial literacy and knowledge:• Onlytwopercentscoredgreat(nineto

10 correct answers)• 16percenthadagoodscore(sevento

eight)• 39 per cent received a passing grade

(five to six)• 44percentfailed(onetofour)

The study also uncovered a likely root cause. half of small businesses surveyed

realized they needed to spend time on fi-nancial management. however, very few of them sought professional help and re-sources.

“It is crucial for small business owners to have a close relationship with their ac-countant and banker as they are profes-sionals who understand all financial situa-tions and can foresee the evolution of an organization,” explains Nick foisy, Ag/Busi-ness Service Team Manager from Brandon-based vanguard Credit Union. “Often busi-ness owners aren’t able to spend the time reviewing their current financial situation which can lead to unnecessary issues and

money 101Improving your financial literacy can improve your business

P.O. Box 50005 Brandon, MB R7A 7E4 P: (204) 727-3638 F: (204) 726-3370www.benmarks.com [email protected]

“Pride… Integrity… Excellence”Since 1969

SOUND REINFORCEMENT & AUDIO VISUAL

Sales • Rentals & Production

Conferences • Conventions • Auctions • Fairs Sales Meetings • Seminars • Focus Groups

Large & Small Venues

Westman Spray FoamS E R V I N G T H E B R A N D O N A N D T H E W E S T M A N A R E A

Juan 204-573-1073 | Lawrence [email protected]

Certified with over 5 years experience


Bone-up on the basics (at the very least). Even if you have a professional helping you with your finances, you still need to understand them. know how to read – and make use of – income statements and balance sheets, understand your inventories, and learn how to manage your cash flow and supply chain.

• Embrace technology. Intuit’s most recent study on small business success found a sizeable majority (86 per cent) of Canadian entrepreneurs believe the contributing value technology adds to their business is worth the cost. By using mobile devices and tools like financial manage-ment software, online banking, and secure cloud-based document storage, entrepreneurs can work effectively from anywhere, making life as a business owner easier, faster, and more enjoyable.

• Do the math. Do you know how much money it takes to run your business? Determine the true costs of your products and services, including labour, transportation, rent, marketing, insurance, phone, Internet, utilities, taxes, and whatever else you require to function. That’s just the beginning. you need to learn how to effectively track mon-

ey in and out of your business, a first step of which would be setting invoicing periods.

• Uncover your hidden costs. have you ever needed to obtain a permit? Or get a license? The expense of these things can start adding up, especially when you factor in the cost of legal services, your own salary, return on inves-tor capital, and capital for future expansion. Don’t forget to add the cost of borrowing money and the interest and debt you may have already accrued. Then start thinking ahead: once you can put numbers to everything that takes money out of your business, you can plan how much you will need to grow going forward.

• Establish priorities. Making a profit is an obvious goal, but what else should you aim to accomplish? Do you want to see your product on every shelf or only in select bou-tique stores? Do you want to expand or franchise your services or keep your company small in order to provide customized experiences to those willing to pay for them? Identifying your priorities will help determine the future course of your business, and the correct costs for your products or services.

setbacks. Establishing good communica-tion can allow for full financial understand-ing and provide the ability to seek assis-tance and advice.”

Money management becomes even more important when cash is flowing into the business and to the owner. Although handling business accounting and taxes may be within the capabilities of most business owners, professional help is highly recommended. The complexity of business bookkeeping increases with each client, employee, sale and inventory order therefore seeking professional direction

can provide solutions and encouragement for success.

“Not understanding finances can limit the growth potential of the business and its future. The business could become un-successful before it has a real opportunity. Both the business and the owner could lose funds through poorly managed finan-cial decisions, improper budgeting due to not understanding the business’s cash flow, and allocating funds to the wrong expenses,” explains foisy. “There’s a greater potential of lacking the ability to plan for unexpected situations, poor years, future

expenses and growth. This also opens up

for paying more for accounting and book-

keeping as these services would need to

be outsourced.”

Noisy suggests business owners utilize

local and online colleges that offer basic

accounting and management courses that

provide a good starting point for better fi-

nancial understanding. financial seminars

are also offered and dates can be provid-

ed by contacting a local vanguard Credit

Union, he adds. •••

Supplier of

Plant: 918 McTavish Avenue E. • Office: 4801 Victoria Avenue E.Brandon, MB R7A 7L2 • Phone: 204-725-5600 • Fax: 204-725-5606

Sand • Gravel • A-Base • Limestone, etc. Washed & Deshaled Aggregate

Midwestern Redi-Mix (1980)Virden - Melita - Deloraine - Elkhorn – (204) 748-1592

Prairie Concrete Foxwarren - Hamiota - Minnedosa/Erickson – (204) 847-2331

Souris Redi-Mix Souris – (204) 483-3308

Wheat City Concrete Products Ltd.

oTHer quIck TIpS To ImprovIng your FInancIal lITeracy aS a BuSIneSS oWner courTeSy oF The Globe and Mail Include:


Growing up with Canadian country music legend Elizabeth (Ma) henning as her mother, heidi howarth has always been used to sharing the spotlight. Whether it’s the musical acts that grace her stage at the 40 Nightclub, guests at her hotel, Trails West Inn, or the community she serves with tireless dedication, howarth has always been more focused on those around her. But how-arth is now getting her time in the limelight as the recipient of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce’s Business Person of the year award.

Since 1983, howarth has owned and managed Brandon’s Trails West Inn, and has worked tirelessly to continually improve the business, including regular renovations to maintain the ho-tel’s quality standards. Over the years, she has introduced new amenities, not just for guests but the Brandon community, in-cluding the city’s first waterslide in 1990 and a unique smoking patio with heated floors.

“I’ve been through three decades of seeing what the busi-ness can do. you work with it and you try to keep active and you keep your ear to the ground, coming up with ideas and being creative,” says howarth. “I love challenges and doing different things, and I can’t say no.”

A large component of the Trails West Inn property is the popu-lar nightclub, The 40, which is renowned for live entertainment in Brandon. The club is so well known, the hotel is often referred to as The 40 by association. In a city often overlooked by tour-ing artists because there isn’t a large arena, howarth has been in-strumental in bringing dozens of major names to the community, from Blue Rodeo and Jeff healey to Bif Naked and Emerson Drive

“I don’t think there’s many clubs that can really boast or say they’ve had the opportunity to have that collection of bands. And one of the reasons why that people don’t really recognize is we have a venue that has a really good sound system. The room is focused for live entertainment and the bands appreciate that. Believe it or not, I’m not the one chasing them, they’re the ones knocking on our doors to see if they could come to our club and put on a show. Some of them have surprised me,” says howarth, explaining that the location of Brandon is well situated in be-tween bigger cities such as Winnipeg, Regina, and Saskatoon, making it an ideal anchor in between tour dates.

Business Person

of the YearIn THe SpoTlIgHTHotelier and club owner wins Business Person of the Year award


Since howarth began managing the Brandon business, she al-ways looked to her mom who acted as her business partner and mentor before passing in 2009. When the Chamber announced howarth as the winner of the Business Person of the year, the hotelier immediately thought of her mom, and knew she would be proud of her for the achievement. “Whatever I do, I think of my mom. She was the first business person in my life and led my path.”

As a mother and grandmother herself, howarth is only now contemplating the idea of slowing down to spend more time with family. With the next generation of business leaders look-ing up to her, howarth will continue to share the spotlight as she remains dedicated to her business, guests, and community. •••

If you’re buying a new or late model vehicle, get New Vehicle Protection

from Manitoba Public Insurance.

If your vehicle is written off, it covers the full purchase price without depreciation and

includes an allowance for inflation.

Talk to your Autopac agent for details.

Protect your beautiful new vehicle.

15-066-31-01 New Car Protection Brandon C of C BW Ad.indd 1 6/19/15 12:18 PM


Jeanne Millis is lounging on a boat off vancouver Island. It’s a much-deserved retirement – her reward after a rich career in fi-nance. Adding to her return on investment, Millis was honoured with the prestigious Lifetime Business Builder award from the Brandon Chamber of Commerce.

“It meant a lot. It was the nicest retirement gift I could have gotten. It just felt really good to have people say nice things,” says Millis, who is grateful to co-workers, Ryan and Carlie, for her nomi-nation. “I really appreciate receiving the award and the award will always have a special place in my home. It was an evening I will al-ways remember and not for just me, but to hear of the other recipi-ents and the work being done. hats off to the Chamber for that.”

Millis jokingly says she won the award “’cause I’m old”, but ad-mits that she likes to think she made a difference in the commu-nity through her career and philanthropic efforts.

Millis spent 30 years working at BDO Canada, becoming partner in 1997 and working as the accountant in charge of small business clients in Brandon, as well as being actively involved in the restora-tion of BDO’s office at 148 10th Street. All despite the fact that she had no intention of becoming an accountant. Millis was in need of a job after moving to Brandon with her husband, Doug Pickering, but looking back, she says, “It’s one of those things you back into, but I couldn’t imagine a better career for me. It was really fun. It changed; even though I was with the same firm and in public ac-counting, tax rules change, my position changed, so it didn’t feel like one career, it felt like many.”

Throughout this time, Millis was also actively involved on the boards of several non-profits: the Brandon Area Community foun-dation, Renaissance Brandon, Manitoba Public Insurance, Brandon Chamber of Commerce, and yMCA.

“I really felt part of the community. you work with people as clients and staff and then you also work with them on non-profit boards and you do things that make Brandon a better place to live,” says Millis. “And Brandon’s exactly the right size – it’s big enough to have some pretty great resources and small enough that you can still go home for lunch. So I just feel really lucky to have been a part

Lifetime Business

Builder AwardlIFeTIme oF Hard Work addS upRetired accountant, Jeanne Millis, wins Lifetime Business Builder awardBy Lea Currie


of a community that was changing and I felt part of the change and you could see the change and all for the better.”

Despite her current west coast location, Millis is still involved back home, commuting to Manitoba regularly to attend meetings for two boards, and her husband is still working in Brandon. Most of her days though are spent relaxing on the water, hiking and helping to clean up B.C.’s beaches.

It’s the breather she’s earned after years dedicated to her career and community. While Millis does wish she had worried less and laughed more in the past, she has no regrets with the total sum to date: “Everything you’ve done gets you to where you are and I’m just so happy with where I am. Even some of the things that weren’t totally fun got me here!” •••

The bricks of the original campus buildings were laid in 1899, just a fewshort years after Brandon was founded. Since then, the identities of thecity and University have been inherently linked.

BrandonU.ca

Your Community.Your University.


BrandonU.ca



BrandonU.ca



BrandonU.ca



BrandonU.ca


Introducing the NEW Post-Pay option for

Corporate/Fleet AccountsTRACK VEHICLE WASH DATE, DURATION AND COST BY EMPLOYEE

WASH ALL YOU WANT AND RECEIVE ONE MONTHLY BILL

16TH & PARK AVENUE, BRANDON • OPEN 6:30AM - 9PM DAILY

C A R S • L A U N D R Y • D O G S

Visa2CanadaImmigration &

Settlement Services

Ingrid Been-Reuvekamp BA.Sc., M.Sc., RCIC

Phone: 1-204-717-4426Email: [email protected]

Labour Market Impact Assessments

Foreign Worker Recruitment

Work Permits

Student Visas

Permanent Residence

and related immigration matters

MAKE IT BETTER™ www.mcmunnandyates.com

Helping you build better, locally.

1040 Richmond Avenue, Brandon, MB R7A 1M6Phone: 204-728-1986 Fax: 204-726-1590

Visit our website for more details


you may not recognize katrina Sigurdson on the street, but if you’ve been to any local event as of late, you have definitely seen her stunning work. As the owner-operator of Party Professionals, Sigurdson is the woman behind the scenes of over 300 events in 2015 alone, taking the event décor business to new heights. Sigurd-son’s hard work set the (beautiful) stage to be honoured, alongside her business partner and husband, Sean, with the Business Excellence of the year award from the Brandon Chamber of Commerce. While most people think of weddings when they hear event décor – and that is the primary focus of Party Professionals – Sigurdson has expanded the business into the corporate world, including galas, trade shows, and fundraisers. from the Manitoba Dental Association’s four-day convention to the Brandon Chamber of Commerce’s own annual dinner earlier this year, Party Professionals has become the source for event décor in the Westman area. This natural expansion is a smart move, creating a continuous stream of work long after Manitoba’s short wedding season is over.

While Party Professionals already had a solid footing in the corporate event world, Sigurdson credits the award win from the Chamber for the influx of additional pub-licity and ultimately a larger clientele.

“We’ve gotten even more recognition throughout the community,” says Sigurd-

Business Excellence

AwardparTy proFeSSIonalS TakeS THe STageEvent décor company wins Business Excellence of the Year


306 Rosser Avenue, Brandon,MB204-727-5029

www.partyprofessionals.ca

Room Draping Lighting BackdropsCenterpieces Ceiling Drape Specialty Linens

Chair Covers Dishware & GlasswareFull Decorating Services and Much More!

son, who has owned Party Professionals for five years. “I feel just

like we really got an even bigger base of people that know about

us, follow us now; our social media has gone through the roof.

Our corporate business has really increased, which I think is just

an understanding of more people knowing about us.”

The award itself is just icing on the cake from the Brandon’s

Chamber of Commerce, as Sigurdson is appreciative to the organi-

zation for much more.

“The Chamber has just been so incredible to us. Meeting new

people, networking, just kind of really putting us into the commu-

nity. Getting us in touch with the right people that can increase our

business or we can help other people. So it’s just been a great net-

working space for us,” says Sigurdson, who also credits other local

businesses and entrepreneurs for their support and recognition.

With the size of weddings nowadays – the average cost of a

wedding in Canada has ballooned to over $30,000 – and corporate

events taking up the remaining time, Sigurdson has no immediate

plans to expand into other markets. But with a strong dedication to

her customers and the community – attributes that helped solidify

the award win – she will strive to enhance the company’s décor of-

ferings to local brides and grooms.

“We are continuing to find new looks, new trends to bring all

those things back to the brides here, and offer them what larger

centres are getting offered as well. We are able to bring the ideas

and décor and things that maybe people didn’t know were possible

to smaller areas like us,” says Sigurdson, who praises her husband,

Sean, with taking her event ideas and creations and bringing them

to life.

While the Party Professionals, katrina and Sean Sigurdson, are

more likely to focus on creating the event from behind the scenes,

they can finally take the stage for the much-deserved recognition. •••

[email protected]

Providing solutions to help your business run like a well-oiled machine

EFFICIENCY BY DESIGN

Bookkeeping | Payroll | ConsultingBudgeting | Inventory Control

Unit 10763 Tenth Street

Brandon MB R7A 4G7

While most people think of weddings when they hear event décor – and that is the primary

focus of Party Professionals – Sigurdson has expanded the business into the corporate

world, including galas, trade shows, and fundraisers.


Outstanding New Business

AwardTHey’ve goT ITgot mats? wins Outstanding New Business award

Imagine strapping a pair of snowshoes on a drilling rig. Seems like a ridiculous idea, but that concept is the main offering of the successful new venture, got mats?, and one that helped the company earn the 2015 Outstanding New Business of the year award from the Brandon Chamber of Com-merce.

“The way I like to describe to someone what our product does is by comparing our access mat to that of a snowshoe. A snowshoe distributes the weight of a person so they don’t sink in the snow when walking. Our snowshoes are just bigger to fit bigger guys, such as semis, cranes, drilling rigs, etc.,” says Eric Ducharme, president and co-owner of got mats?.

Started in 2011, got mats? provides businesses with access mats that offer protection and safety by stabilizing soft and unstable ground where people and machines need to work. The mats also safe-guard things below the ground, such as fibre optic lines and pipelines.

Ducharme and business partner, Chris Allison – who each also have geological consulting compa-nies, came up with the concept after seeing how the soft ground affected companies.

“When you are exposed to field conditions, you start to develop and see what is working and where improvements could be made,” says Ducha-rme.

Ducharme and Allison employ that same initia-tive to their own business, constantly striving to offer the best product for clients, as well as the environment. Got mats? introduced Manitoba’s first and only state-of-the-art mat washing and sanitizing plant; there are only four others in North America. The wash plant is designed to minimize the spread of potential biohazards in contami-nated soils.

“This shows we are using the best available technology in order to achieve the best manage-ment practice of any company in Manitoba,” says


Ducharme. “We are very proud to con-tinue to push industries to set higher and better standards to protect our Manitoba agricultural lands from biological risks such as clubroot and other unwanted pests and diseases.”

The strength of the company and its cli-ent base is in part due to the welcome mat put out by the Brandon Chamber of Com-merce and the strong community connec-tions it helped Ducharme acquire.

“Being a Chamber member has exposed us to a broader range of people and mar-kets that were not aware of our products and service. It has helped our phones keep ringing for more jobs,” says Ducharme, who is very appreciative the Chamber rec-ognized got mats? for the prestigious Out-standing New Business award. “We started something new in the province, and we definitely had doubts at times if what we were doing was the correct business move. So, when other business-minded people show belief in what we are doing, it really boosts our confidence. It feels good. To win the award was icing on the cake.”

While got mats? faces stiff competi-tion from the big Alberta-based compa-nies moving into the province, Ducharme stands firm on the company’s ability to maintain market share and continue to grow by consistently providing amazing service to clients.

While the image of snowshoes on big machines may entice a few eyebrow raises, Ducharme is prepared to go to the mat for his company, and he has a solid footing underneath him. •••

We offer the transport, placement, and extraction of mats for a variety of industries such as drilling rig sites, oil pipelines, environmental digs, train derailments, commercial construction, and Hydro projects!

“ 2015 Outstanding New Business of the Year”

Check us out at www.gotmats.caEric (204) 724-0592Chris (204) 851-1709

“ 2015 Outstanding Small Business Finalist”


Community Service

AwardgIvIng perSpIraTIon and InSpIraTIonGuild Insurance Brokers Inc. founder wins Chamber’s Community Service award

It’s not enough for Darryl Andrews to donate his time and efforts to causes near and dear to his heart; he also wants to encourage and recruit more people to serve the community. And while An-drews’ tremendous volunteer initiatives are what won him the Community Service award from the Brandon Chamber of Com-merce, it’s this plea to others to get involved that will be his ulti-mate gift to the community.

“If you look at a lot of things like the kinsmen and kiwanis and Lions, if you go to any of their meetings, they’re getting older and a little whiter on top, and I don’t know what it is nowadays, but it’s really tough to get young people involved,” says Andrews, who is a founding partner of Guild Insurance Brokers Inc., and, until a recent merger, was president and CEO.

To help get more people volunteering their time, the philan-thropist would encourage his staff to give back to the community through bonus programs. he also recently urged his son, Ryan and his co-workers to “do something. It doesn’t have to be much, but just do a little bit.”

In addition to those close to him, Andrews wants to see more people donate their time and get the – as Andrews calls it – “warm and fuzzy” that comes with giving back. his recommendation is to start small, and find something you’re passionate about, which will make you more likely to want to be there.

Many of Andrews’ own projects stem from his passion for sports and helping youth. Since he was young, Andrews has been in-volved with countless non-profit boards and community projects too vast to list in full, but include: business fundraising campaigns for the United Way of Brandon, instructing and coaching baseball and curling, Red Cross blood donor clinics, Brandon Minor Base-ball board, Brandon Community Builders Inc. and the steering committee of Simplot’s Millennium Park, which resulted in the city’s eight-diamond baseball and softball complex.

This giving nature is inherent in Andrews. “Do onto others as you would have them do onto to you. That’s

By Lea Currie


just kind of something we went by and

something we were taught early,” says

Andrews of the golden rule he and his

brother learned from their mom and dad.

“My parents were always involved. Out on

the farm, we never had a lot, but we never

did without. Mother always had a huge

garden and she was always donating stuff

here and there, and they were always in-

volved with different organizations, so I

guess we saw that and carried it on.”

While Andrews doesn’t volunteer to

get a pat on the back, he was happy to

be recognized by the chamber: “It gives

you some satisfaction that people have

maybe realized what you’ve done and ap-

preciate what you’ve done.”

People have definitely realized what

Andrews has done for the community

with his hard work visible around the city,

but it’s the work he’s doing that cannot be

seen that will truly make the difference in

Brandon as more and more people are in-

spired by Andrews to help out. •••www.guildinsurance.ca

Risk management is an essential part of every business.

P 204-729-4949Toll Free: 1-866-277-4949

F 204-728-1515

A worthwhile first step for a business owner is to find a commercial insurance broker that knows your type of business or is willing to invest the time and effort to study it with you. This cost-effective way of handling risks can be identified and managed. A tool that will benefit your bottome line.

Orange - pantone 7412 CTeal – Pantone 7475 C

Orange - 0 58 100 8Teal – 68 12 28 35tag - 0 70 100 20

cmyk

white reverse

b&w

grey

10/09


When Brandon-based Behlen Industries

first opened for business back in 1969,

its bread and butter was manufacturing

steel grain bins and its customer base was

largely Western Canadian farmers.

Today the company is the largest

manufacturer of steel building systems

in Canada and designs everything from

storage units and warehouses to sawmills

and massive indoor recreation complexes.

And while it still does a significant amount

of business in Western Canada, it now has

customers as far away as Russia, kazakh-

stan, New zealand, Australia, Peru, and

even Mongolia.

Sean Lepper, Behlen’s vice-president

and general manager, says the company’s

growth has been part of a natural evolu-

tion to utilize the tools at its disposal – in-

cluding the knowledge of its employees

– to expand its product offerings and ex-

tend its market reach, both domestically

and internationally.

“There’s no question we’re pushing

hard to expand our marketplace into the

international realm,” says Lepper. “A big

part of our growth plan is to diversify into

new countries and geography. We’re not

just focused on Manitoba or Western Can-

ada or Canada. We want to go wherever

we can find a good fit for our product.”

One of the keys to Behlen’s success, ac-

cording to Lepper, has been the compa-

ny’s commitment to innovation. Much of

the credit for that innovation, he says, be-

longs to Behlen’s team of engineers and

metal workers who are constantly work-

ing on new ideas and to the company’s

ownership for its ongoing support.

movIng aHeadInnovation key to building manufacturer’s success By Jim Timlick


“I don’t think in business you can ever be satisfied. Technology is constantly changing, equipment is constantly improving and designs are continu-ally changing,” he says. “That’s where the strength of our ownership kicks in. We get a tonne of support to go after those innovations in design and production technologies.”

One of the latest innovations taking place at Behlen is the recent introduction of a robot welder designed specifically for custom manufacturing. Unlike tradi-tional robot welding technology which is designed for simple, repetitive tasks and offers little variability, this new welder is capable of creating custom steel pieces using cutting-edge 3D software.

Behlen is the first steel building man-ufacturer in North America to use the technology, which was created by the company’s team of engineers and de-signers using state-of-the-art software. The software allows the robot to be pro-grammed for a new task in as little as 20

RECOGNIZEDLocally Devoted

InternationallyINDUSTRIAL | COMMERCIAL | RECREATIONAL | INSTITUTIONAL

RECOGNIZEDInternationally


minutes compared to previous versions

which could take as long as two days to

program.

“Our business is very cyclical so we have

very high peaks in the summer months

and we’re slow at times in the winter,” says

Lepper . “Our goal has been to flatten that

out and the robotics really allows us to

take those peaks off in the summertime

and have that extra capacity when we

wouldn’t have it otherwise. It’s going to

allow our business to continue to grow

and expand.”

The system employs a three-step pro-

cess which begins with the creation of a

hyper-detailed and organized 3D model

which is then fed into another piece of

software. A robotic arm is then used to

detect potential errors and produces a vi-

sual simulation of the weld. finally, the ro-

bot arm is used to create any kind of weld

imaginable.

Although it’s is still in the trial phase,

Lepper says he expects the technology

will allow the company to significantly

boost productivity and reduce errors at

its Brandon plant. The company invested

R O L A N D W E I RRealty & Appraisal

Ph (204) 727-7100Unit 30A- 1015 26th Street, Brandon, Manitoba R7B 2B9

Fax: (204) 727-1563 | [email protected]

COMPLETE PROPERTY APPRAISAL SERVICES

Sean Lepper, Behlen’s vice-president and general manager.


more than $1 million and three years of

research in the project.

While new technology can sometimes

mean job losses, the new robotic sys-

tem will allow Behlen to hire more hu-

man workers. Lepper says the company

expects to hire more than a dozen new

welders later this year as the system elimi-

nates some of the bottlenecks that have

slowed production in the past.

The robotic welding system is just

one of a number of high-profile projects

Behlen has been involved with of late.

It recently designed and manufactured

a massive indoor soccer facility in kras-

noyarsk, Russia that measures 313 feet

wide by 400 feet long and is regarded as

the largest convex-style building in the

world. It was also involved in the design

of the roof for the new PyeongChang curl-

ing rink in South korea that will be used as

part of the 2018 Winter Olympics.

As its reach continues to expand across

the globe, Lepper says his company has

no intention of abandoning its Brandon

roots. “We are a Brandon company. for us

to move out of Brandon would not work.”

Behlen is one of the largest employ-

ers in southwestern Manitoba and cur-

rently employs more than 300 people in

Brandon. It’s commitment to community

extends beyond its workforce. It’s also an

active member of the Brandon Chamber

of Commerce and has worked closely with

the Chamber on a number of initiatives

including deliberations on the launch of

a Lean consortium for Western Manitoba

and discussions with the different levels of

government.

“We feel it’s very important to be part of

the Chamber,” says Lepper. “The Chamber

does a great job of representing our inter-

ests, whether it’s with local government

or at the provincial level. They’re in touch

with the needs of [businesses] and they

actively promote Brandon and the busi-

ness community very well.” •••

MLA for Brandon East, 119 10th St. Brandon, MB204-727-8734 | DrewCaldwell.ca

Drew CaldwellWorking for Brandon East


The introduction of a family trust into your current structure or as part of a larger re-organization allows for the maximum flexibility with respect to a wide range of issues that a family-owned business will face. Properly structured, a family trust can be the ultimate planning tool for a family-owned business.

WHaT IS a FamIly TruST?A family trust is an alternative to having

family members directly own shares in the family business corporation while still be-ing able to enjoy many of the benefits of direct ownership. It is this “indirect” owner-ship that makes a family trust an extremely flexible tax-planning tool for your family business.

WHaT can a FamIly TruST do?Asset protection – All businesses and

their assets are subject to a certain amount of risk. A family trust (in conjunction with a corporate beneficiary) can be used to move excess value out of the family busi-ness corporation and into a separate fam-ily holding corporation where it is safe from the inherent risk of the business op-erations.

Succession planning – Many family busi-nesses are passed inter-generationally and it is difficult to know which, if any, child or children will take over the family business. Using a family trust, parents are given time to decide which children are going to re-ceive shares of the family business corpo-ration and at the appropriate time.

Taxation of family trusts and their benefi-ciaries – A family trust is a separate taxpay-er under the Income Tax Act. Amounts al-located to one or more of the beneficiaries are deducted from the taxable income of the family trust. This allocation of income ensures the family trust has little or no taxable income and not subject to any in-come tax. Any amount of income allocated to a beneficiary will be added to their tax-able income and taxed at their graduated tax rate.

Purification and the Capital Gain Exemp-tion (CGE) – for owners of private business corporations, the CGE is one of the most important and useful tax-planning tools available provided the shares of the family business corporation qualify. When a cor-

puTTIng FamIly FIrSTWhat can a family trust do for your business?

2015 DODGE DART LIMITED

2.4L GAS LEATHER INSERTED SEATSSTK# 7034

$26,997

2015 CHRYSLER 200 S AWD

V6 3.6L COMFORT GROUPSTK# 6949

$32,695

2015 JEEP CHEROKEE 4*4 TRAILHAWK2.4L GAS COLD WEATHER GROUP

STK# 7121

$36,950 0% FINANCING FOR

UP TO 72 MONTHS

2015 DODGE JOURNEY SXT / LIMITEDFLEXIBLE SEATING GROUP

STK# 6329

$24,700 0% FINANCING FOR

UP TO 72 MONTHS

2014 RAM 1500 SLT QUADOUTDOORSMAN

STK# 6048

$36,450

VISIT US AT BRANDONCHRYSLER.CA • “YOUR KEY TO GREAT DEALS”

2015 RAM 2500 CREW CAB 4*4 POWERWAGONV8 64L HEMI RAM BOXESSTK# 7075

$54,900

2015 RAM 1500 CREW CAB 4*4 REBELV8 5.7L HEMI SUNROOF, REMOTE START AUTOMATIC

STK# 7178

$47,800 + 0% FINANCING AVAILABLE

$91WEEKLY


Putting Your Family Trust FirstIntroducing a family trust into your current structure or as part of a larger reorganization allows for the

maximum flexibility with respect to a wide range of issues that a family-owned business can face. Properly structured, a family trust can be the ultimate planning tool for a family-owned business, providing benefits

that often more than outweigh the cost of implementation and annual maintenance.

Contact Michael Poole, CA at 204.727.0661 or [email protected]

poration holds assets that are not being

used in the day-to-day operation of the

business, its shares could be at risk of not

qualifying for the use of the CGE. A family

trust provides the ability to move excess

cash and inactive assets by way of a tax

deferred dividend to a holding company

to maintain a corporation’s qualifying sta-

tus and the ability for its shareholders to

use their CGE.

Income splitting – One of the most com-

mon uses of a family trust is the flow of

dividends to adult children whose par-

ents want to help them out financially.

Amounts allocated to a beneficiary are

taxed in their hands at their personal

marginal tax rates. If the beneficiary is in

a lower tax bracket than the parents, tax

savings result.

Estate planning – Upon the death of a

taxpayer, they are deemed to have dis-

posed of all their assets at fair market

value and pay tax accordingly. A family

trust is a useful estate planning tool as it

allows a taxpayer to pass value to the ben-

eficiaries so that it does not get taxed as part of their estate.

How do I set up a famIly trust?

The set up of family trusts can be quite complicated as there are a number of spe-cific steps involved that require proper

timing and implementation. Failing to set up the trust in the proper manner can invalidate the family trust and lead to se-rious tax consequences. We advise you to consult with an advisor that has sig-nificant experience in family trust taxation and law. •••

To find out more about

family trusts, or how

MNP can help you,

contact

Patti Bell, CA

at 204.571.7670 or

[email protected]

or

Mike Poole, CA

at 204.571.7641 or

[email protected]


In 2013, the Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation (BNRC) purchased the building located at 440 Rosser Avenue which was originally built in 1951 to host Brandon Motors, a Chevrolet car and truck dealership. An addition was added in 1960, and the facility became fowler Pontiac. Then the building hosted a number of businesses from 1980 until the early 2000s. The building and property has been vacant and deteriorating for over 10 years

The building is now completely renovated revitalizing an eye-sore in the heart of downtown Brandon. The BNRC and Brandon Energy Efficiency Program (BEEP) renovated the 14,000-square-foot facility and it now serves MX group and a variety of BNRC programs. The BNRC and MX Group employ 40 full time jobs out of this building.

BEEP organized and completed the majority of the renova-tions. BEEP is a carpentry training program providing previ-ously unemployed individuals with barriers to employment the opportunity to gain knowledge, skills, and experience in the construction trade preparing them for employment in the private sector. BEEP provides this training while meeting im-portant community needs addressing energy and water effi-ciency while building and renovating affordable housing. BEEP achieves its social enterprise goals by partnering with a variety of organizations including Manitoba housing, Provincial Train-ing and Employment Services, Manitoba hydro, Canadian Men-tal health Association (CMhA), and the City of Brandon.

BEEP program participants and various contractors needed to replace just about everything in the building.

“The building was in a state of advanced deterioration from years of neglected maintenance. There were pieces of ceiling on the floors, water leaks in the roof and basement, eight-foot-tall trees growing on the roof, and broken windows that allowed pigeons to nest in the building. Through BRNC board and staff commitment, determination, and perseverance along

a place To call HomeBrandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation (BNRC) contributing to downtown Brandon revitalization


with community support we were able to revitalize this building that will serve BEEP and BNRC programs for years. Together board and staff set a very high goal to revitalize this facility into a mod-ern energy efficient building for the downtown community,” ex-plains Marty Snelling, BNRC general manager.

The remodel went through several various stages:Stage 1: Cleanup and roof – After acquiring the building the first

order of business was the clean-up and removal of many years of debris and garbage. This involved over 400 trips to the land-fill with a 20-foot trailer. The trees growing on the roof were re-moved and the existing roof was stripped before a spray foam roof providing R30 insulation was installed. Then energy-effi-cient roof top units were installed along with duct work to heat and cool the entire building. Energy efficient windows, doors, and lighting were installed, fire proof walls were constructed on the south and east sides of the building as well as between the two businesses, and all exterior walls were insulated to R20. furthermore, many updates were required to meet current building codes.

Stage 2: MX Group Rental – A tenant was secured enabling con-struction based on their needs to commence including the con-struction of walls, installation of electrical, plumbing, large en-ergy efficient showcase windows, and a new overhead garage door. In May 2014, MX Group moved in occupying the original 1950 building. MX Group is part of a larger conglomerate of construction related companies. In Brandon, MX Group work includes disaster restoration, flooring sales, and training.

Stage 3: BEEP offices and shop area – The 1960 addition to the building required even more work than the front: clearing out garbage, removing the original boiler covered in asbestos and stripping walls of mould, installing electrical and plumbing, constructing walls, washrooms, and offices. The major projects were filling in five of the original 14-foot-high garage doors and replacing one, redesigning the building with new energy effi-cient windows to provide interior daylight, and insulating walls to R20 to reduce heat loss. Throughout the building energy ef-ficient LED fluorescent lights were installed.Today, BEEP benefits with a training facility designed for the

program. The BEEP facility supports the Brandon Neighbourhood

Power Smart Project in partnership with Manitoba hydro, The

Bug n’ Scrub program in partnership with Provincial housing and

Community Development, and the homelessness Partnership

Strategy housing the Community Entities serving homelessness

in Brandon, Aboriginals outside Winnipeg and rural and remote

projects in partnership with Services Canada and many commu-

nity partners.

This revitalized BNRC facility in downtown Brandon generates

over $2 million in economic development annually and is now a

“hub” of community activity.

The BNRC, BEEP, and MX Group are proud to be located at 440

Rosser Avenue for many years to come. •••

This revitalized BNRC facility in downtown Brandon

generates over $2 million in economic development

annually and is now a “hub” of community activity.


Index to AdvertisersAccel Towing & Transport Ltd. ..............................................21Allen & Bolack Excavating ........................................................9Assiniboine Community College ...........................................26Behlen Industries LP .................................................................49Benmarks .....................................................................................36Blue Moon Water ......................................................................13Brandon Bus Lines Ltd. ............................................................19Brandon Business Interiors .......................................................8Brandon Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram ......................................52Brandon Economic Development ...................................... IFCBrandon Neighborhood Renewal Corporation ........... 30, 55Brandon University ...................................................................41Branstone Financial Strategies Inc. .......................................13Burns Maendel Consulting Engineers ....................................8C & E Locksmiths ......................................................................13Canadian Linen & Uniform Service ......................................30Cancade Restoration .................................................................23Cando Rail Services Ltd. ..........................................................26Cliff Cullen & Reg Helwer MLA ..............................................5

C.M.S. Services Inc. .................................................................13D & B Sprinklers ........................................................................37Discover You – Siere ............................................................OBCDrew Caldwell MLA Brandon East .......................................51Ducks Unlimited Canada ........................................................33Entrepreneurship Manitoba ....................................................27Excel Design & Construction .................................................57Fort Garry Industries Ltd. .......................................................20Giant Tiger ..................................................................................27Glacier Wash Inc. .....................................................................41got mats? ......................................................................................45Guild Insurance Brokers ..........................................................47Image & Wellness Centre ........................................................19J and G Group ..............................................................................9J & M Industries Ltd. ...............................................................30Jacobson & Greiner Group of Companies .............................9Jani-King of Manitoba ..............................................................13Juggernaut Computers .............................................................19kc&b .............................................................................................23

SUITE 300, 6 ROSLYN ROAD, WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA

www.delcommunications.com

We offer outstanding personal serviceand quality in the areas of...• Creative Design• Advertising Sales• Trade Publications• Video Production & Editing• Qualified Sales & Editorial Team

The key topublishing success.


Commercial Industrial Government Health Care Educational Recreational Multi-Unit Residential

Toromont CAT Brandon

Maxim Truck & Trailer Brandon

Richmond Professional Centre Brandon

Best Western Brandon

We’ll make you proud

of your next project.

General Contractor ∙ Design-Builder ∙ Construction Manager 4000 Richmond Ave. E., Brandon, MB

204.726.0400 www.exceldesignbuild.ca

Serving Westman for over 18 years

1-877-226-7957 www.vanguardcu.mb.ca

Leech Printing ..................................................................... InsertManitoba Hydro ........................................................................24Manitoba Pork Council ............................................................47Maple Leaf Foods ......................................................................19Mazergroup ................................................................................11McMunn & Yates Building Supplies .....................................41Minute Muffler Brake & Wheel .............................................23MNP LLP ....................................................................................53MPI ...............................................................................................39New Beginnings Intimate Apparel ........................................25Overland Waste & Recycling ..................................................41Paddock Drilling Ltd. ................................................................29Partners In Discovery Ltd. .........................................................7Party Professionals ....................................................................43Persnickety Furniture Refinishers ..........................................17Pinchin Ltd. .................................................................................20Powell Construction .................................................................17Progressive Sanitation ..............................................................23Roland Weir Appraisal Associates .........................................50Safe Work Manitoba .................................................................16

Siere .........................................................................................OBCSunrise Credit Union ..................................................................3Synergy Land Services Ltd. ....................................................35TD Canada Trust .......................................................................28The Green Spot Home & Garden ..........................................32The Paw Resort & Wellness Centre .......................................17Roy Johnston TDS ..................................................................IBCVanguard Credit Union ............................................................57Venture Accounting Group Ltd. ............................................43Visa2Canada Immigration & Settlement Services .............41WCB .............................................................................................18Western Concrete .......................................................................9Western Financial Group.........................................................23Western Manitoba Public Library .........................................17Westman Immigrant Services ................................................27Westman Spray Foam ...............................................................36Westoba Credit Union Ltd. ......................................................5Wheat City Concrete Products Ltd. ....................................37Windsor Plywood ......................................................................19Zenith Paving .............................................................................23

Index to Advertisers


At Roy Johnston TDS, we not only serve our clients, we also speak the language of their communities. In our Brandon, Boissevain and Carberry offices, you’ll find the same local lawyers, committed to the same local communities. With our expanded Manitoba presence, including our Portage la Prairie and Winnipeg offices, we offer our clients the benefit of a full-service firm covering 24 areas of practice, with global connections in 100+ markets around the world. For a diverse team of lawyers, who understand your needs and your community, you never need to look further than Roy Johnston TDS.

Learn more at www.tdslaw.com/Brandon363 Tenth Street, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada R7A 4E9 | Direct: 204.727.0761 | Toll-Free: 855.483.7529

Rivers

Wawanesa

Virden

Deloraine Shoal Lake

Birtle

Birtle

Birtle

Waywayseecappo

Waywayseecappo

Waywayseecappo

Birtle

Boissevain

Boissevain

Boissevain

Glenboro

Carberry

Minnedosa

Minnedosa

Glenboro

Brandon

Boissevain

Killarney

Shoal LakeWawanesa

WawanesaHamiota

Hamiota

Minnedosa

Melita

Melita

Melita

Melita

Melita

Waywayseecappo

Minnedosa

Minnedosa

Hamiota DeloraineWaywayseecappo

Waywayseecappo

Deloraine

Brandon

Brandon

Brandon

Waywayseecappo

Shoal Lake

SourisHamiota

Hamiota

Waywayseecappo

Boissevain

Hamiota Minnedosa

Brandon

Brandon

Glenboro

Glenboro

Glenboro

WawanesaBrandon

Hamiota

Rivers

SourisSouris

Hamiota

HamiotaBrandon

Brandon

Brandon

Brandon

Hamiota

Wawanesa

Waywayseecappo

Souris

Souris

Carberry

Hamiota Wawanesa Shoal Lake

Shoal Lake

Killarney Killarney

Killarney

Wawanesa

Boissevain

Neepawa

NeepawaNeepawa

Rivers Rivers

Rivers

Rivers

Rivers

Wawanesa

Waywayseecappo

Waywayseecappo

Shoal Lake

Shoal Lake

Virden

Carberry

Carberry

Glenboro Glenboro

Killarney

Killarney

Killarney

Glenboro Minnedosa

Neepawa

Shoal Lake

Shoal Lake

Glenboro

Deloraine

Deloraine Birtle

Killarney

Killarney

Killarney

Wawanesa Birtle

Birtle

Birtle

Birtle

Westman –we speak your

language.Virden

Virden

Neepawa

73138 TDS Back cover ad.indd 1 14-08-22 10:04 AM

October8th – Forum: Federal Election Debate

Keystone Centre, UCT Pavilion

21st – Luncheon: Small Business Week Royal Oak Inn & Suites

Sponsor: Entrepreneurship Manitoba

22nd – BA5: Daughter on CallUnit B-2412 Victoria Avenue

28th – Information Session: Chamber 101

Chamber Office

November19th – Harvesting Value Ag Conference

Champion of Agriculture Luncheon BA5: Innovation for Tomorrow Reception

Keystone CentreLuncheon Sponsor: Assiniboine Community College

December10th – Christmas Luncheon

Victoria Inn, Grand SalonSponsor: Keywest Photo Image by Design

January27th – Luncheon: Business Climate Survey

Keystone Centre, MNP HallSponsor: Corral Communications

28th – Information Session: Chamber 101

Chamber Office

FebruaryB2B Luncheon & Conference

March10th – Luncheon: MB Success Story

Royal Oak Inn & Suites

17th – Annual Dinner

April7th – Luncheon: Election Forum

Sponsor: Westman Communications GroupVictoria Inn, Grand Salon

May17th – Information Session: Chamber 101

Chamber Office

19th – Luncheon: State of the City AddressKeystone Centre, UCT Pavilion

Sponsor: Brandon First

June9th – Luncheon: Changeover Ceremony

Royal Oak Inn & SuitesSponsor: Crocus Credit Union

15th – Chamber Golf Tournament

The Brandon Chamber of Commerce offers a wide variety of events throughout the year.These events are not just valuable for networking but also for education and information updates.

There are various sponsorship opportunities related to most of the Chamber events.The Chamber is always open to suggestions of different types of events we can offer our members.

Please contact us to learn more aboutBrandon Chamber of Commerce events – event dates and times are subject to change.

Please visit us at www.brandonchamber.ca for up-to-date events listings.

Mark Your Calendars

At Roy Johnston TDS, we not only serve our clients, we also speak the language of their communities. In our Brandon, Boissevain and Carberry offices, you’ll find the same local lawyers, committed to the same local communities. With our expanded Manitoba presence, including our Portage la Prairie and Winnipeg offices, we offer our clients the benefit of a full-service firm covering 24 areas of practice, with global connections in 100+ markets around the world. For a diverse team of lawyers, who understand your needs and your community, you never need to look further than Roy Johnston TDS.

Learn more at www.tdslaw.com/Brandon363 Tenth Street, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada R7A 4E9 | Direct: 204.727.0761 | Toll-Free: 855.483.7529

Rivers

Wawanesa

Virden

Deloraine Shoal Lake

Birtle

Birtle

Birtle

Waywayseecappo

Waywayseecappo

Waywayseecappo

Birtle

Boissevain

Boissevain

Boissevain

Glenboro

Carberry

Minnedosa

Minnedosa

Glenboro

Brandon

Boissevain

Killarney

Shoal LakeWawanesa

WawanesaHamiota

Hamiota

Minnedosa

Melita

Melita

Melita

Melita

Melita

Waywayseecappo

Minnedosa

Minnedosa

Hamiota DeloraineWaywayseecappo

Waywayseecappo

Deloraine

Brandon

Brandon

Brandon

Waywayseecappo

Shoal Lake

SourisHamiota

Hamiota

Waywayseecappo

Boissevain

Hamiota Minnedosa

Brandon

Brandon

Glenboro

Glenboro

Glenboro

WawanesaBrandon

Hamiota

Rivers

SourisSouris

Hamiota

HamiotaBrandon

Brandon

Brandon

Brandon

Hamiota

Wawanesa

Waywayseecappo

Souris

Souris

Carberry

Hamiota Wawanesa Shoal Lake

Shoal Lake

Killarney Killarney

Killarney

Wawanesa

Boissevain

Neepawa

NeepawaNeepawa

Rivers Rivers

Rivers

Rivers

Rivers

Wawanesa

Waywayseecappo

Waywayseecappo

Shoal Lake

Shoal Lake

Virden

Carberry

Carberry

Glenboro Glenboro

Killarney

Killarney

Killarney

Glenboro Minnedosa

Neepawa

Shoal Lake

Shoal Lake

Glenboro

Deloraine

Deloraine Birtle

Killarney

Killarney

Killarney

Wawanesa Birtle

Birtle

Birtle

Birtle

Westman –we speak your

language.Virden

Virden

Neepawa

73138 TDS Back cover ad.indd 1 14-08-22 10:04 AM

Your lawyer advises you on legal matters.

Your accountant advises you on tax matters.

Who’s advising you on business matters?

You don’t need to go it alone, few business leaders ever do.

You hire specialized professionals for legal and tax issues. When dealing with complex business issues, bring in a professional management advisor. At Siere, we provide the practical experience and proven best management practicesto improve the profit and growth of your business. Guaranteed.

Contact us for an initial business assessment. We’ll check all the right boxes.(204) 571-6923 or e-mail [email protected]

Advising independent business owners siere.ca

brandon business review 2015

Documents