Your quarterly connection to business news in Orangeville

Growing Your Food Business Opportunities

Ontario’s food processing sector is the largest in Canada, employing over 100,000 people across the province. In Orangeville, employment in this sector is increasing at a rate even faster than the provincial average, growing by nearly 22 percent over the past five years. As consumer demand for fresh, locally produced food grows, the local food economy continues to thrive.

The food industry in Ontario is highly regulated and closely monitored by all levels of government and operating in this sector requires due diligence. To provide food entrepreneurs with the tools they need to operate safely and successfully, the Orangeville & Area Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) will be hosting a food business workshop, Selling Food in Ontario on March 21. This information-packed session will feature presentations by a panel of food experts including representatives from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health . Topics will include food regulations, the inspection process, pricing, packaging, and market channels. Successful food entrepreneur Christian Horner will be on hand to share his expertise in growing his local food business, Fire in the Kitchen Spice Company . Christian will also provide tips on getting food products into the right retail space.

Christian Horner, owner of Fire In the Kitchen Spice Company, will share his expertise on March 21.

Following the session, participants will have an opportunity to speak with the panelists one-to-one about their individual businesses. Whether just starting out or planning to expand, this session will offer comprehensive advice to help all entrepreneurs succeed. The workshop will take place on Thursday, March 21, 2019 from 1 to 4 p.m. and costs $15. Pre-registration is required by March 19. To register, visit www.orangevillebusiness.ca/events , call the Orangeville & Area SBEC at 519-941-0440 Ext. 2286, or email sbec@orangeville.ca .

E.Hofmann Plastics – Offering innovative solutions

E. Hofmann Plastics is known for doing things differently. The Orangeville-based company produces rigid and flexible packaging for both the industrial market and the food and beverage industry. But for Chief Executive Officer Paul Kalia, E. Hofmann Plastics is actually a solution-based technology provider. “We manufacture plastics,” says Mr. Kalia, “but our company’s focus is providing solutions for our customers using advanced technology and ongoing innovation.”   Originally located in Brampton, E. Hofmann Plastics was formed in the early 1980s. Significant growth led to its relocation to Orangeville in 2006. Mr. Kalia’s unwavering commitment to innovation and automation fostered continued expansion over the years. Today, the company’s 175,000-square-foot manufacturing facility houses the most advanced equipment in the plastics manufacturing sector. State-of-the-art technologies, including injection molding and thermoforming, are complemented by the company’s rigorous focus on innovation. Each of E. Hofmann’s 115 employees is tasked with continuously searching for ways to transform and improve its products and processes. “Inventing a new product isn’t the only way to innovate,” says Mr. Kalia. “Innovation can mean adapting a process to deliver a better product or changing a business model to create efficiencies. It can happen anywhere – on the plant floor, in the R&D lab, or in a customer meeting. We strive to create an environment where everyone is always searching for ways to improve.” As a case in point, E. Hofmann Plastics recently developed an innovative material to fulfill market demand for a more sustainable single-serve coffee pod. The company worked with Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE), a not-for-profit program that creates partnerships between industry and academia to drive profitable innovation. Through the program, E. Hofmann Plastics collaborated with McMaster University to develop the compostable, bioplastic-based packaging alternative. As well as finding a suitable solution for the market, E. Hofmann Plastics broadened its customer base and reinforced its strategic focus on developing sustainable packaging. This project, among others, demonstrates E. Hofmann Plastic’s ongoing leadership in developing solutions for its customers. “Innovation is at the heart of our company’s strategy,” says Mr. Kalia. “We tapped into an excellent talent pool here in Orangeville and that has kept us here and will continue to drive our business forward.”  For more information about E. Hofmann Plastics, visit www.hofmannplastics.com .

Transforming ideas into income with Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE)

Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in Ontario. This not-for-profit organization is funded by the Government of Ontario and offers a number of programs to help create new jobs, promote economic development, and commercialize innovative new products, services, technologies, and businesses. Five key program areas include Industry-Academic R&D Collaboration, Commercialization and Demonstration, Campus Entrepreneurship, Advanced Technology Platforms, and Clean Technology. As demonstrated in a recent project involving E. Hofmann Plastics and McMaster University, these collaborations can enhance competitiveness and productivity for businesses by leveraging the innovation and research originating from many of Ontario’s universities and colleges. For more information on OCE and its programs, visit www.oce-ontario.org.

Cannabis and the Workplace Tuesday, January 22 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. | No Cost What do employers need to know about the new cannabis legislation? Learn about the implications and risks for your business.   Register Starting a Small Business Wednesday, January 23 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. | Cost $15 Get the answers, tools, and resources you need to start your own small business. Ideal for all emerging entrepreneurs. Register

Tax Seminar with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Thursday, February 7 2 - 4 p.m. | No Cost Do you have questions about business taxes? Get answers directly from a CRA representative.  Register Tax Planning for Small Business with Gerry Hogenhout Tuesday, February 12 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. | Cost $15 Understand taxes from an entrepreneurs’ perspective. An ideal complement to the CRA session on February 7. Register

Key Tools for Successful Online Marketing Thursday, February 21 9 a.m. - Noon | Cost $15 Learn how to engage with your audience and build your brand online using search engine optimization (SEO) and social media.  Register HST for Small Business Wednesday, March 6 1 - 4 p.m. | No Cost How does HST impact your business and what are your responsibilities? A specialist from Canada Revenue Agency will answer your questions. Register

For a full listing of upcoming events, visit orangevillebusiness.ca

Professional Services to be focus of upcoming program In January 2019, a Business Retention and Expansion Program (BR+E) will be launched by the Town’s Economic Development and Culture office. The program will focus on local businesses in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (PST) sector. All Orangeville-based PST business owners are encouraged to participate. The program will include business visitations and comprehensive surveys that will allow businesses to share information about their specific challenges and priorities. Results from the BR+E will be used to identify and develop solutions to help improve the profitability and effectiveness of local businesses. For more information, contact Ruth Phillips, Manager, Economic Development and Culture ( rphillips@orangeville.ca or 519-941-0440 Ext. 2291). Students can be their own boss this summer The Summer Company program gives eligible students the opportunity to run their own summer businesses. In partnership with the Province of Ontario, the Orangeville & Area SBEC provides participants with training, mentoring, and funding of up to $3,000. To be eligible, students must be 15 to 29 years of age, returning to school in fall 2019, and have a great idea for a business that they can manage over the summer months.  To check eligibility and submit an application, students can visit ontario.ca . For more information, visit orangevillebusiness.ca or call the Orangeville & Area SBEC at 519-941-0440 Ext. 2270.

Connecting local businesses with resources and support

The annual Economic Outlook Breakfast, hosted by the Town of Orangeville and TD Bank Group, provides business and community leaders with insights about the latest economic trends. At the November 2, 2018 event, local businesses also had the opportunity to learn about resources, incentives and services available to support them. “The overall labour market is performing well across the province and this is creating talent and workforce attraction challenges in our local economy,” said Orangeville’s Economic Development and Culture Manager Ruth Phillips. “We felt that it was important to make our business owners aware of the tools that exist to help spur their growth.”

An expert panel discussed three areas of specific support: Workforce Development and Training – Gerry Holden of Georgian College Career & Employment Community Services reviewed the Canada-Ontario Job Grant incentive and apprenticeship tax credits.   Research and Development Assistance – Darren Lawless, Dean of Applied Research and Innovation at Humber College discussed the programs and services that exist to support innovation and help companies solve problems, improve processes, and develop products. Advisory and funding opportunities - Angella Kurczyk of the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation & Trade provided details about programs and incentives offered by the Province including support for agri-food businesses and guidance for exporters. A Business Resource Expo was also delivered by the Dufferin Workforce Development Committee in conjunction with the event. The expo connected local business owners with 14 resource organizations that offer specific details about an extensive range of programs and tools. For more information about these organizations and the resources available to support local businesses, click here , visit orangevillebusiness.ca , or connect with Orangeville’s Economic Development & Culture office.

The Town extends a warm welcome to these new businesses:

Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen Stranded Hair Studio Curry Mantra Stage it With Style Endeman’s Ironcraft Kai’s VR Oasis

Wrist Check Orangetheory Fitness Foote Law Quick Lane (Division of Blackstock Ford) Blinks & Brows

Orangeville Laundromat Stacked Pancake & Breakfast House Westend Family Chiropractic & Wellness Splash Dash ‘n Spin

Congratulations also go out to two long-standing local businesses: Avalon Care Centre (35th anniversary) and Lord Dufferin Centre (20 th anniversary). Be sure to visit Fromage at its new expanded location at 111 Broadway.

An excellent opportunity to invest in a commercial building on busy First Street. Over 4,500 square feet of retail space is shared by three separate commercial units and all units are occupied by great long-term tenants. This well-maintained building includes parking and excellent exposure to a bustling area of Orangeville. Zoned C2. Asking price is $1,999,000.

Contact Ida Puzzo, Sales Representative, iPro Realty Ltd., Brokerage, 519-940-0004.

Business Connections is published quarterly by the Town of Orangeville's Economic Development & Culture office Connect with us! 200 Lakeview Court (Upper Level), Orangeville, Ontario L9W 5J7 edo@orangeville.ca | orangevillebusiness.ca | 519-941-0440 Ext. 2286 ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ You are receiving this email because of your interest in economic development news in Orangeville. If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, you may update your profile using the link found at the bottom of every email.