Feb. 16, 2012, Vineland, Ont. — A major federal funding announcement to
assist Ontario manufacturers was made during a tour of Greenhouse
Growers Supplies earlier this year.
Feb. 16, 2012, Vineland, Ont. — A major federal funding announcement to assist Ontario manufacturers was made during a tour of Greenhouse Growers Supplies earlier this year. Ottawa will invest up to $18.9 million to help manufacturers across southern Ontario improve their productivity and competitiveness in global markets.
The money will be available through a new program called SMART Prosperity Now. The money will used in productivity enhancement projects to improve exporting opportunities.
GGS accessed SMART funding a few years ago, and credits the program with helping it take advantage of expanded market opportunities.
Making the announcement on behalf of the government was Niagara Falls MP Rob Nicholson, Canada’s justice minister and attorney general. Also taking part was Jayson Myers, president and CEO of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters.
Greenhouse Growers Supplies is a family business made up of a group of companies that include:
• GGS Structures Inc., which manufactures greenhouses under the GGS brand as well as manufacturing a complete line of fabric covered structures under the Tasco Dome brand.
• Niagrow Systems Ltd., a leading mechanical engineering firm specializing in hydronic heat systems for the greenhouse industry.
• JGS Limited, a specialty contracting firm providing high tech research facilities for universities, governments, and corporations around the world.
 |
| MP Dean Allison, Leigh Coulter, MP Rob Nicholson, and Jayson Myers. |
GGS co-owner Leigh Coulter explained that SMART funding in 2010 helped them correct some weaknesses in their inventory control program. The problems were identified soon after GGS had acquired Niagrow Systems Ltd. and JGS Ltd.
“This rapid expansion highlighted some weaknesses in our current inventory control, and we needed to invest in change in order to grow,” said Coulter.
“There is no question in my mind that we would not have implemented the systems we did in as short a time frame if it was not for the SMART program. Furthermore, there is no question that the introduction of the Seradex ERP system has enabled us to take advantage of opportunities that have seen an increase in sales for one company of over 400 per cent.”
It is important that governments understand that “you can’t just put money into a pot and walk away,”she added. “Change is a continual process, we need to continue to invest in order to improve and compete in a global market place.”
Print this page
