The Finishing Centre Inc.
Barrie, ON, Canada
Jun 2000 - Jul 2007
President
Established the powder coating company as a reputable, viable and competitive company producing high-quality environmentally safe products with a diverse clientele.
Business building process included:
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Prepared business plan, sourced and secured financing from a financial institution and incorporated company. Created logo and maxim, “Powder coating your world with lasting colour”.
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Worked with industrial real estate agents to locate a 10,000 sq. ft manufacturing facility.
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Applied knowledge in partnership with a contractor of manufacturing processes. Purchased equipment to prepare a production line with a 6,000 sq. ft footprint, consisting of an overhead continuous conveyor, pretreat system, dry off oven, powder booth, cyclone and 100 ft. cure oven. Independently acquired pump carts, dock ramps, compressor, air dryer, tow motor, packaging equipment, and all necessary office furniture and equipment.
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Applied for and gained all the provincial and federal statutory approvals required to commence operations. Worked directly with TSSA saving $20,000 for air make up unit.
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Developed all procedures, operations and implementation of systems.
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Recruited a powder coating professional to set-up production which led to the business ramping up to capacity in a 2 shift format requiring the hiring of 16 additional employees.
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Aggressively pursued sales opportunities by networking, utilizing directory resources, suppliers and past business contacts to deliver the following impressive results:
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Boosted revenue from zero to $700,000 in 2002, $800,000 in 2003 and continued to maintain sales and reduce powder costs from 19% in 2001 to 14% in 2006.
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Trimmed payroll in 2004/5 by 17%, elevating gross profit by 37% in 2003, 45% in 2004 and 51.5% in 2005 while maintaining an even level of production.
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Controlled and actively monitored all facets of the business operations with limited input from two partners, one of whom agreed to be bought out within the first year due to personal issues and negotiations began in the fourth year to buy out the second partner.