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October 2, 2007
First Notice of a new member:
Forster Emerson HR Management Inc.
HR Consulting - Halifax -
http://www.forsteremerson.com
Gala and Auction Special
Invitation
West Hants Chamber members are being highly encouraged
to attend this year’s Hants Community Hospital Gala and
Auction on October 11th at 7:00 pm. This year the
hospital is holding this event at the Woodshire Inn and
Cocoa Pesto Bistro. “It is going to be a great evening,
with wonderful finger-foods & wine,” says Pauline
Sullivan, the Auxiliary’s secretary. Donations for the
auction are also appreciated. Tickets are at Scotiabank,
Windsor for $50 per person. At the end of the year the
auxiliary will send each ticket purchaser a charitable
tax receipt for one half of what they purchased. “We
thank Scotiabank, once again, for partnering with the
auxiliary, for selling the tickets through their
community involvement program in which they donate $25
for each ticket they sell to a total a $5,000 donation,”
Sullivan added. Proceeds go towards the purchase of four
in-patient cardiac monitors. Tickets are also available
by calling Pauline at 798-5409.
West Hants
and Area News
Sears Grand Re-opening
Did you know that the Sears outlet in Windsor is more
than supplying products from catalogue orders? They are
the area’s only in-stock distributor of Sears brand
big-ticket items for your home, lawn and garden. The
store celebrated a grand re-opening with new owners
Natalie Bauchman and family last week. New manager Dan
Andrews says although the Wentworth Road store carries
many of the brand name items seen in the catalogue,
they’re often at a better price. “Why drive to Halifax
when you can find what you need right in your back
yard?” said Andrews. “Customers can see and touch a
product up-close, something they can’t do from the pages
of a catalogue,” Andrews added. Customers can make
choices based on information and assistance from one of
the outlet’s six sales associates. “We know and
understand all products on display and can help
customers choose what will work for them,” he said. The
store also features an expanded electronics section.
In-stock products are also competitively priced against
those in the catalogue and other outlet locations.
“Sears is Sears, but we’re independently owned and
operated.” Wentworth Road, Windsor. Phone: 798-8333
www.sears.ca
Did you know?
The Sears Holding Corporation sends out 425 million
catalogues a year throughout North America.
Arrow Joins TIM-BR-Marts
Arrow Construction Products Limited recently joined
TIM-BR MARTS Ltd. In business since 1979, Arrow has
grown to become an independent wholesaler of specialty
construction materials for the commercial market. Arrow
has six locations throughout the Atlantic provinces,
four in New Brunswick and one each in Nova Scotia and
Newfoundland, and a 100 per cent construction
customer-base. This new union not only strengthens
TIM-BR MART’s presence in Canada’s eastern provinces,
but also nationally, says Brian MacDonald, manager of
Swinamer’s TIM-BR mart. “Arrow is a welcome addition to
the TIM-BR MART group, and this union makes us
competitive, if not more competitive, than the big-box
stores,” says MacDonald. “We might be small in location,
but we are big with our Canadian network of
manufacturers from coast to coast,” MacDonald said.
“With the addition of partners like Arrow and Coastal
Drywall, we are becoming the group of choice for
commercial projects,” he added.
Law Office Opening
Renovations have begun next to the CIBC on Gerrish
Street for a Christie-Cuffari law office in Windsor. In
2005, Cuffari purchased a Halifax law practice from
Clare W. Christie, who relocated to Amherst. Cuffari has
also worked from his home-office on Grey Street. Cuffari-Christie
specializes in family law, wills and estates and real
estate. Phone 798-0037.
Benedict Joins Journal Team
Welcome to new Hants Journal staffer, Peggy Benedict.
Peggy, from Belmont, joins the Hants Journal as its new
receptionist and classified ad contact, replacing
Candace McCullough who left to move to Halifax at the
end of August.
Windsor-West Hants Pumpkin Festival
October is here and you know what that means: it’s the
time of year we pay homage to that big orange gourd on
the ground, the pumpkin. In Windsor-West Hants and
throughout the Annapolis Valley—a month of food, fun and
family events are scheduled to celebrate the harvest.
Each community is serving up a unique blend of fun and
food for you to experience during Pumpkin Fest 2007. The
guide to discover the many events and tastes along the
pumpkin-peel path is available online here:
http://www.valleypumpkinfest.ca.
Windsor-West Hants events exclusively here:
http://www.worldsbiggestpumpkins.com
Provincial
& Regional Issues:
Snowbirds multiply with
US border lineups
Having the Canadian dollar on par with the greenback
makes it easy to compare prices of the same goods in the
US and Canada. Having the internet to do so makes the
comparison much easier, and now suddenly buying that
book for $32 that costs $24 in the US on Amazon.ca
doesn’t seem so fair. The pressure to re-price is just
beginning, and leads to speculation as to how long this
will continue, and how much further will the Loonie
soar? The CBC reports that on an exchange rate basis,
that U.S. vacation is now 60 per cent cheaper than it
was back in 2002
So can we expect to see more snowbirds doing their
Christmas shopping south of the border? Already media
stories abound about what items can be declared without
getting duties imposed. The Canadian Press reports that
few Canadians are well-briefed on the items considered
“free” under the Customs Tariff Act, based on complex
international tariff agreements in addition to the
free-trade deals Canada enjoys with the US, Mexico,
Chile and Costa Rica. The Canadian Border Services cites
that almost anything made in either country can be
brought back into Canada without penalty, including
toys, video games, cellphones, antiques, kitchen
appliances such as toasters and breadmakers, office
furniture and even SLR and instant cameras. However,
upon driving back to Canada and a declaration of goods
can entail a customs agent reviewing hundreds of pages
of descriptions of what percentage duty might be owed a
particular item. Officials suggest shoppers intent on
saving some money might do a little research before
leaving home to purchase items across the border. The
Border information service line is 1-800-461-9999 and
the website is
http://www.cbsa.gc.ca.
New
NS R&D
A new provincial program is
planned to stimulate private sector innovation and
provide on the job research and development
opportunities for Nova Scotia university students. The
$250,000 Research and Development Co-operative
Employment Program was launched last week. University
students must be enrolled in co-operative programs
through science, business and engineering, while private
sector companies must be engaged in research and
development in order to participate in the program,
which is to begin in January 2008. Applications are due
by October 5th.
More info is available
here
Guidelines are available
here
Minister Announces Funding for Maritime Beef Testing
Station
The Nova Scotia government is providing $25,000 to the
Maritime Beef Testing Station in Nappan, Cumberland
County, Agriculture Minister Brooke Taylor announced.
"We are providing the beef testing station with this
funding to help them through this year," said Mr.
Taylor. "However, they need to work directly with the
Nova Scotia Cattle Producers as they develop a strategy
for the beef sector, which will determine the station's
role in the future." Board members of the Maritime Beef
Testing Station met with agriculture department staff on
Tuesday, Sept. 25, to talk about the funding and their
participation in a longer term strategy. "It is
imperative that we make funding decisions that represent
the needs and wants of the beef industry as a whole,"
said Mr. Taylor.
INTERAC Chip Debit Card
As part of its commitment to providing the safest and
most secure payment network, Interac Association has
completed Canada’s first INTERAC debit card transaction
at the point-of-sale terminal using chip technology. The
transaction was processed by TD Merchant Services using
a BMO Bank of Montreal chip debit card at Mercato
Giovanni's Fresh Food located in downtown Toronto, ON.
Starting this fall, merchants and cardholders will start
to see the introduction of cards, Automated Banking
Machines, and merchant terminals that feature chip
technology and, within three years, it is expected that
the majority of Canadians will be using this new
technology.
Emerging Issues –Gypsum Industry: against a wall?
With the recent surge of the Canadian dollar and
collapse of the U.S. housing market, demand for
wallboard — and its price — has dropped substantially.
The Federal Gypsum company, located in Point Tupper,
Cape Breton, has stopped shipping to the United States
entirely, and filed for bankruptcy protection from
creditors last week. With the help of a monitor, Federal
Gypsum is now drawing up a plan to provide to creditors
on October 18. If it is not accepted, the company
intends to seek an extension of the stay. Meanwhile, the
company continues to operate and is attempting to
penetrate the Canadian market. While there has been
recent progress, Michael Simpson, executive
vice-president said it’s occurred far slower than
anticipated because the market is tightly controlled by
buying groups. It is also looking to begin shipping to
Europe where the market remains strong. “There’s always
a period of cycles in the construction industry and you
just have to weather them,” Simpson said. “This was just
precipitated by one of the creditors was not being
patient.”
The depressed American market combined with the all-high
Canadian dollar is something exporters are watching
carefully as smaller competitors struggle to adapt to
market pressures. Lafarge Gypsum Canada determined its
Corner Brook plant was too small to compete with larger
drywall manufacturers and closed in early July. Fraser
Papers will close a Juniper, NB, mill that manufactures
pulp-based supplies and lumber products for home
builders. It will shut down the mill for up to 11 months
starting October 5. Fraser cited the weak housing market
in the United States, continued oversupply of lumber,
and a strong Canadian dollar for contributing to
operating losses at the mill. It’s clearly not a great
time to be an exporter of building products.
Federal Gypsum’s was previously operated by United
States Gypsum, (USG) Fundy Gypsum Company’s parent
company, before being taken over by the Simpson family
in 2004 under a 99-year lease. Given that most gypsum
producers in Canada are closely integrated in both
mining and wallboard manufacturing, how is Fundy Gypsum
Company coping, and might these market conditions impact
the company’s expansion plans?
Looking at the bigger picture first makes one wonder.
The deteriorating housing market noticeably impacted
both sales and earnings of United States Gypsum in the
past year. In the second quarter of 2007, USG's North
American Gypsum business recorded net sales of $754
million and operating profit of $42 million. Net sales
of $977 million and operating profit of $267 million
were reported in last year's second quarter. William C.
Foote, Chairman and CEO of United States Gypsum, said in
a recent news release, "This market is burdened by an
excess supply of new and existing unsold homes. The
unusually large inventory of unsold homes will depress
new construction and put continued pressure on volumes
and prices of building materials until the excess
inventory is absorbed. This housing recession is
entering the second year of what is likely to be a
multiyear downturn," Foote said.
Frank Blake, chairman and chief executive of the Home
Depot Inc., who expects the slumping housing market in
the U.S. to dampen business further into 2008. Speaking
at a Goldman Sachs investment conference, he said the
company had hoped to see the housing industry to start
recovering later this year, but troubles in the mortgage
industry has set that back.
United States Gypsum took steps last quarter to adapt
their operations to these market conditions by
eliminating approximately 500 salaried positions.
Combined with reductions in hourly jobs, USG said also
eliminated more than 1,100 positions in the last 12
months. The corporation has removed about 2.5 billion
square feet of wallboard capacity from their operations
in the last year and will shut down an additional 350
million square feet of wallboard capacity in Detroit,
Michigan, later this year.
Similarly, the gypsum division of Canada-based CGC Inc,
also owned by USG, reported second quarter 2007 net
sales of $79 million, a decline of $12 million, or 13
percent, compared with the same period a year ago.
“Operating profit was $1 million in the second quarter
this year, compared with $14 million reported in last
year's second quarter,” states the news release
reporting its second quarter earnings. The decline is
explained by lower selling prices for its gypsum
wallboard and lower wallboard shipments to the United
States. Operating profit, the release said, was also
dampened by higher gypsum wallboard manufacturing costs,
especially higher wastepaper and other raw material
costs. The company also stated that these results
included a $2 million a restructuring provision related
to its salaried workforce reduction program.
On the local front, Fundy Gypsum Plant Manager Mike
Bishop says the construction industry has always been a
cyclical one, but expects to remain a stable employer in
West Hants. “As a result, Fundy Gypsum Company has
operated through many similar business cycles over its
history,” he says. “We do not feel that there will be
any long range effects caused by the current housing
market issues.” Bishop added the company anticipates a
bright future, “and certainly have made no changes in
our ongoing operation plans.”
There are facts to support Bishop’s optimism. Although
residential construction is the largest market for
gypsum products, a key aspect to note in this context is
that demand for raw gypsum elsewhere – be it in the US,
Canada or elsewhere in the world, has not subsided. In
fact, projected demand for gypsum products in North
America is forecast to grow about two percent annually
through 2011, exceeding 52 million metric tons.
Commercial building markets in the US will offer the
best opportunities over the forecast period, with gains
fuelled by a rebound in the US market and continued
economic expansion in Mexico. Its predicted strength in
the commercial building market will help offset weakness
in residential construction throughout the United
States. The domestic housing market shows strength as
residential construction investment achieved a new
record in the second quarter of 2007, reaching $22.8
billion, an increase of seven per cent over the same
quarter in 2006, says Statistics Canada.
The present structure of the industry in Canada is not
expected to change much, although the future
availability of synthetic gypsum resulting from more
strenuous emission controls will influence development
in some areas. While the recycling of scrap and waste
gypsum from construction sites and wallboard
manufacturing lines will continue to rise, the Asian
market for raw gypsum and anhydrite, which Fundy Gypsum
also exports, continues to drive demand with 36% of
total world consumption and a growing demand of 3% a
year. It might be storming outside, but don’t close the
door on Nova Scotia’s gypsum industry just yet.
(Sources: Natural Resources Canada, NS Business Journal,
Statistics Canada,
www.usg.com)
Events
Calendar - submit
your event to
info@whcc.ca today.
Thursday, October 4th - Atlantic Gateway Luncheon &
Presentation
featuring Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and
ACOA, The Westin Nova Scotian - Atlantic Ballroom 1181
Hollis Street, Halifax. Networking and Registration:
11:30 am - 12:00 noon, Lunch and Presentation: 12:00
noon - 1:30 pm $25 per person or $250 table of ten.
Saturday, October 6th - Annual Fall Bazaar
In aid of the Hants Community Hospital, held at the
Windsor Community Centre. 10 am – 3 pm
Donations of articles or baked goods, please call Ann
633-2211.
Saturday, October 6th - Open House
The Summerville Fire Hall, 1 pm until 4 pm. Come & meet
the local fire fighters, sit in the fire trucks and find
out more about the fire and safety services in your
community. The open house will feature fire fighting
displays, emergency medical demonstrations and tours of
the newly renovated hall. It's also a good chance to
purchase fire safety equipment for your home. Smoke
detectors and fire extinguishers will be available for
sale at cost.
Sleepy Hollow Musical Dinner
Quick As A Wink Theatre. Shows will be Friday and
Saturday evenings on October 5, 6 and 12, 13 at 6:30 pm
at the Windsor Royal Canadian Legion, Fort Edward Mall,
Wentworth Road, Windsor. A full turkey dinner will be
served and bar service is available. The cost of tickets
is $28.00 for adults and $18.00 children 10 and under.
Advanced reservations only. For information and tickets
call 792-1455.
Thursday, October 11th - Hants Community Hospital
Gala Evening & Auction
Woodshire Inn and Cocoa Pesto Bistro, 7:00 pm. Tickets
$50 in exchange for tax receipt of purchased amount.
Please see more details above in West Hants news.
Saturday, October 13th - Avon Valley Golf and Country
Club
1st Annual Avon Valley Business Leaders Open House, 4:00
p.m. See the new clubhouse and sample selections from
the new menu. Please R.S.V.P. on or before October 8th
798-4654.
Saturday, October 13th - Walkin’ After Midnight
Musical tribute to Patsy Cline. Mermaid Imperial
Performing Arts Centre, 8:00pm. Tickets $20, Students $15,
available at Moe’s Music Sales.
Friday, October 19th - 7th Annual Turbine Showcase
2007
Maritime fall fashion and jewellery collection and
shopping party. 7:00 pm Fountain Theatre at Kings-Edgehill
School. CTV's Liz Rigney will host the event sponsored
by Janet White of MacKay Real Estate and Halifax’s
MacDonnell Group. Featuring Jazz singer, Pat Watson.
Tickets are $40 with corporate incentives for groups of
8 or more. Call 798.3966 or email Julie at
office@turbine.ca
Links you
can use:
Who’s Hiring:
Windsor-West Hants Job Bank
Hantsport and Area Business
Association
Thanksgiving Holiday Ideas
Chuckles:
A Thanksgiving Cookbook by primary school children.
NOTE: WHCC will not be responsible for medical
conditions resulting from use of this cookbook. Thanks
to Aged to Perfection.)
Russell – Turkey: You cut the turkey up and put it in
the oven for ten minutes and 300 degrees. You put gravy
on it and eat it.
Shelby – Applesauce: Go to the store and buy some
apples, and then you squish them up. Then you put them
in a jar that says, "Applesauce".
Danny – Turkey: You put some salt on it to make it taste
good. Then you put it in the oven and cook it for an
hour at 5 degrees. Then you eat it.
Moriah – Turkey: First you cut the bones out. Then you
put it in the oven for 10 hours at 600 degrees. Then you
put it on the table and eat it.
Grace – Turkey: First you add some salt. Then you put it
in a bowl. Then you put brown sugar on it. Then you mix
it all together with a spoon and then you add some milk
and mix it again. And then you put it in a pan. Then you
put it in the oven for 15 minutes and 16 degrees.
Alan – Turkey: First you shoot it and then you cut it.
And then you put it in the oven and cook it for 10
minutes.
Christopher - Pumpkin Pie: First you buy a pumpkin and
smash it. Then it is all done. And you cook it in the
oven for 12 minutes and 4 degrees. Best you eat it with
lots and lots of cream on top - or ice cream.
Happy Thanksgiving!
The next time you post a flyer for your business or
non-profit organization at PharmaSave or at your local
Post Office, or have a special business announcement to
make, please also email it to
info@whcc.ca or
fax it to 757-1969. By getting it included in the West
Hants Chamber of Commerce E-News free of charge ensures
you’re getting it in the inboxes of people who want to
know. Every two weeks, E-News is distributed to - and
read by - over 200 local business contacts throughout
the Windsor-West Hants area. If your business has news
or events you would like to share with our readers but
can’t find the words, please call our Newsletter Editor,
Heather Desveaux on 790-4009.
Our next issue will be published October 16th – Small
Business Week! - and the deadline for submissions is
Friday October 12th.
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