Ontario lockdown response

In response to Ontario’s recent lockdown we provide the following information:

 

We have received calls from Ontario members asking for clarity around the most recent Ontario announcement about the lockdown. We are also sending this to all members across Canada for their information.

You can view the rules for what is deemed “essential construction” at the link below (page 23/24) provides details and clarity.
CKCA can not provide any legal advice, but we offer some suggestions that we hope can be of assistance:
  • Review your current work to ensure it is compliant with the Governments regulations in order to continue the project
  • Always use a reliable source for information, such as the Government website
  • Employee and client safety is a priority, please follow all health and safety requirements
  • Government of Ontario will enforce lockdown rules, non-compliance will be penalized with fines and possible jail time.
  • To avoid potential issues, have information available on your public facing channels (i.e. website) to ensure the public understands why you continue to operate
  • Have documentation ready that clearly shows you are in compliance should police or bylaw visit your shop questioning why you remain open
  • If you see other companies not complying, do not follow their lead and assume it is an acceptable practice, this could put your company at risk, get clarification from a reliable source first
Use these member tools at your disposal to stay connected with the industry:
  • CKCA on-line forum to share ideas and discuss this issue to see what others are doing to manage.
  • Call the CFIB business helpline at 1-888-234-2232
  • Call CKCA at 613-493-5858 or email us at sandra@ckca.ca
We know this current situation slows you down and creates difficulties for future work. But the lockdown is temporary while we navigate through these challenging times.
You are not alone, reach out, we are here to help.

Blum Canada helps pave the way for what Canada’s industrial buildings of the future may look like

What happens in 61,000 square feet with offices, a showroom, 6,400 pallet locations all within a fully automated storage and retrieving system?

This!

Blum’s new location at 6775 Maritz Drive, Mississauga, ON

 

Blum Canada Limited, a leading supplier of furniture hinges, runners and lift systems, is helping to pave the way for what Canada’s industrial buildings of the future may look like.

The 61,000 square foot building, which also includes offices and a showroom, contains 6,400 pallet locations within a fully automated storage and retrieving system. Because of the efficiencies created by automation, the facility’s footprint is one-quarter the size of a typical warehouse. While standing 80 feet in height it stores more inventory in far less ground space.

During construction in 2019, Blum Canada’s general manager Kevin Tratt told media that the new warehouse would increase the company’s storage capacity by about one third: “We have to prepare for the future, and since our success has been built on quality products and services, we’ve designed this new building with those needs in mind.

“We’ll have a much larger showroom to better showcase our product solutions and meet our customers ‘needs. And our new, automated warehouse will enable us to deliver products to customers across the country more efficiently.”

ADG Architectural Design Group Inc. was engaged in 2016 to bring the project to life, and Tony Trusevych travelled to Blum’s head office in Austria where he witnessed automated warehouses in action. “A staff member would input an order on his computer pad, and inside the warehouse a picking machine riding a rail system would use lasers to locate the appropriate pallets,” he recalls. “A conveyor took the pallets to employees in a picking station, who then loaded the products for shipment. It was brilliant.”

Greyson Construction Limited was engaged early in the process and helped with the site evaluation, design development, value engineering, and budgeting. The project first required the construction of a new road for the five-acre building site. Hannigan Engineering Limited then determined the size and thickness of the base slab that would be required to support the new facility.

Eric Johnson, project manager for Greyson, says of the two-foot thick slab, “The pour was a challenge: we had to very carefully place the reinforcing steel, because the racking system would be attached to the slab with 2,000 anchors, and each of these anchors had to penetrate the concrete, not the rebar.”

Containers of parts for the racking system were shipped from Germany and assembled over a three-month period beginning in July of 2019. Cranes tilted the completed structure vertically, and Greyson then built the warehouse around it, along with the showroom and offices.

This type of facility provided unique benefits from a construction viewpoint. “The racking is the structure, so there was no need for structural columns, only insulated metal panels,” says Johnson. Similarly, the roof deck is rack-supported, eliminating the need for OWSJ and framing for the steel deck. Moreover, lighting requirements in the warehouse were confined to the bottom of the three aisles, and heat would be kept at 15 degrees Celsius, requiring one forced-air gas-furnace at one end of the warehouse with a duct system and fans in the middle, and an exhaust system at the other end of the facility.

As utilitarian as all these elements were, Trusevych says the project contained many opportunities for architectural expression. “Since the hinge is a key Blum product, I used the hinge as a guiding principle for the exterior office design. A vertical slab 25 feet high angled over to form the roof and cantilevered about 15 feet for shading purposes – and created a hinge appearance on a grand scale.

“We gave the building façade a European cabinet look thanks to aluminum composite panels for the office area and the insulated panels on the warehouse, and we also played with colours. The entire facility is white at both ends and black in the middle, which helps reduce the massing.” Large carbon fibre fins added architectural interest and also provided vertical shading.

A special landscaped area on the corner of the site was created as a focus of visual interest. “The patio walkout and the balcony of the facility both face this area, which acts as an oasis for staff and visitors and is also a buffer between them and an adjacent Wal-Mart distribution centre,” Trusevych says.

Blum will move into the new facility early December, Trusevych concludes. “It really is an efficient use of space and something that boosts productivity. I have no doubt that the automated warehouses will become common in Canada over time.”

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Address: 6775 Maritz Drive, Mississauga, ON
  • Owner/developer: Blum Canada Limited
  • Architect: ADG Architectural Design Group Inc.
  • General contractor: Greyson Construction Limited
  • Structural: Hannigan Engineering Limited
  • ASRS/automation/conveyors: Dematic
  • Racking: SSI Schaefer Systems International Ltd.
  • Total size: 61,000 square feet
  • Total cost:  n/a

 

Uniboard covers cost of your next showroom

Design and build your next kitchen showroom exclusively with Uniboard products and we’ll cover the costs! It is a incredible opportunity for CKCA members to renovate their showrooms at no cost.

We will indeed fully reimburse the costs incurred for TFL panels used in the kitchen showroom or model unit for any eligible Project registered for the Showroom Project Promotion and completed between January 29, 2020 and April 27, 2020.

Click here to subscribe.

 

Business Transition

How do you make sure your business will thrive after the current generation steps away? vNacelle is working with small business owners to assist with that transition and can provide some insights

What do more than 8 million family owned and privately held businesses in the US and Canada have in common?

–          They likely face an ownership transition in the next 10 years

–          Research says $8-$10 trillion in ownership value will be changing hands

–          70% of the owners have no transition strategy

Source: vNacelle – Note: The company has now changed its name to “The Transition Strategists”. A wide range of information is available from their website here. 

The Crucial Development Opportunities for the Next Generation of Owners in the Family Business

Most entrepreneurs by nature are lifelong learners. That skill allows them to continue to grow with their company while navigating the increasing complexity and risk company growth brings. By the time they are ready to transition their business to the next generation, operating the business has become second nature to them. They often don’t even realize just how much they know.  Read the full article here.

 

Environment and Sustainability

 

 

 

Habitat for Humanity Canada is a national, non-profit organization working toward a world where everyone has a decent and affordable place to call home.

Habitat would like to partner with CKCA members to ensure unwanted, obsolete and old inventory is put to good use.  This benefits you, the environment and your community.

Please consider donating, find all the information here.

 

 

The wood industry has changed and continues to evolve.

Consumers who purchase Canadian built kitchens are taking an environmental step!

Buying Canadian built means consumers are supporting their local/regional/Canadian wood industry who must comply with Canadian environmental law. Buying locally built reduces the shipping footprint from products manufactured in other countries. Know more about where products come from and what’s in them. Don’t forget, Canadian cabinetmakers live in our communities too!

FSC – Forest Stewardship Council – Click here to learn more.

National Forest Management System (refreshed standard) click here.

Look for and shop for products with the FSC symbol.

Consider  FSC certification and show customers your commitment to the environment.

Andrew Tremblay, Market Development Manager at FSC gave an excellent presentation to CKCA attendees at the CKCA Regional Event in Halifax, NS in September 2019.  With refreshed standards that took 10 years to build, this organization has something to offer manufacturers looking to build consumer confidence in their products.  Here’s a quick summary of what Andrew had to say. But also, consider FSC certification and buy FSC certified wood products.

Green Building is a bit of a trendy topic these days. Almost everyone in the industry is looking for solutions to make buildings more sustainable. Learn more about how Akzo Nobel is developing products and technologies that have a positive impact.

Do you share your green policy with your clients?

Why not place something in your showroom and on your website and tell customers. They aren’t asking? Tell them anyway. It could be the tipping point to making a decision to buy Canadian and from your shop!

Cabinetworks in Halifax, NS has their green commitment on display in their showroom.

Casa Flores Cabinetry awarded Gov’t Grant through Women’s Entrepreneurship Strategy

Getting funding through various Federal Government grants can be a complex journey that can take more than a year to come to fruition. A company’s “staying power” to go through the process can be daunting, but when we hear a good news story we want to share.  To help CKCA members learn about what it takes to get government support here’s a story about Casa Flores Cabinetry. There is much to learn and share from their experience. Check this out!

 

 

 

 

 

 

CKCA interviewed Jolanda Slagmolen-Flores, AKBD, General Manager at Casa Flores Cabinetry.

Pictured left with her husband Humberto Flores. You can read about the company here.

CKCA:  Can you just tell us a little bit about your business – how long have you been in business, how many employees, how many kitchens do you produce in a month, square footage of your shop?

Casa Flores:  We started our business in 2006. We currently have 7 employees and a 3500 square foot shop. The “how many kitchens a month” question is always hard to answer because we do so much more than kitchens! And in many cases we are doing a whole home which includes a kitchen as well as bathrooms, laundry room, mudroom, etc etc. Our sales are just under $1M/year

CKCA: How did you find out about the Federal Government funding that was available?

Casa Flores:  The government made a big announcement in October, but although I heard about it on the news, it was brought to my attention by our local Chamber of Commerce. I am part of a peer mentoring group made up entirely of women, so the facilitator thought this would be of interest to our group

CKCA: Why was it of interest to you?

Casa Flores:  We are currently in the process of scaling our business by investing in new equipment and technology. Specifically, we wanted to invest in new software (Cabinet Vision) and a CNC machine to help us grow our business. We also recently launched a new product line that depends on quick production times. The Women’s Entrepreneurship Strategy focuses on businesses that are looking to grow. In addition, priority was given to businesses with products and/or services related to one of the Economic Strategy Table

Sectors. One of these sectors is Advanced Manufacturing so our goals were a good fit with the program

CKCA:  What made you apply and go through the process?

Casa Flores:The grant was for up to $100,000 of NON-REPAYABLE grant money. This is a HUGE boost for a small business like ours. I put a significant amount of time into the application, but the potential rewards were well worth it.

CKCA:  How was the process overall, did you find it lengthy or fairly straightforward?

Casa Flores: I think success in anything reflects the amount of time you are willing put into it. I did put a lot of time and thought into the application. Other people may have put in less time but not been successful in obtaining funding.

CKCA:  Did you seek help from anyone or did you do on your own?

Casa Flores:  I sought the help of people with more experience than me. I prepared the application on my own but then ran it by a couple of people and learned an important lesson – I initially applied for just over $50,000, with the logic that I had a better chance of receiving $50,000 than $100,000. However, both of my advisors questioned why I hadn’t applied for the full amount. So I revised the application and thank goodness I did! I was approved for the full $100,000

CKCA:  How will you use this funding?

Casa Flores:  We have already purchased Cabinet Vision and hired a new employee to work with the program. The next step will be to purchase the CNC machine

CKCA:  What outcomes are you looking to achieve from this injection of funding?

Casa Flores:  In order to be competitive, we believe we must invest in new technology and equipment. This can be difficult as a small business. The funding is a huge boost for us and we believe it will allow us to grow exponentially rather than incrementally.

CKCA:  Will you be required to show the return on investment to the funder/feds?

Casa Flores:  Yes. As part of the application process we had to set goals and timelines. When we apply for reimbursement we are accountable for showing whether we are meeting those targets

CKCA:  What would you say to other manufacturers who may seem discouraged about seeking government funding?

Casa Flores:  A lot of time and effort went into the application process, and there is a lot of additional paperwork involved after approval to actually obtain the funds. However in our case a $100,000 capital injection is a huge boost to our business and well worth the time and effort

CKCA:  Is there anything you would have done differently/any lessons learned in the process to help make that process easier?

Casa Flores:  Not anything that would make the process easier. However what I was told was that it is very important to FOLLOW ALL OF THE INSTRUCTIONS PRECISELY. This will not make things easier but will result is a higher chance of success.

CKCA:  Any final thoughts/comments?

Casa Flores:  An important thing to be aware of is that many government programs (like this one) require you to invest the money first, and then request reimbursement. Furthermore, it is usually necessary for the company to invest money over and above what the government is investing, in order to obtain the funds. In our case, we were approved for 62% funding, which means that in order to obtain the funds we must first invest $162,0000, and we can then receive a $100,000 reimbursement. The most challenging part is cash-flowing the initial investment, so it is important to make sure you have access to capital prior to applying.

CKCA Members Discuss Their Experiences at 2019 KBIS in Las Vegas

CKCA Members Attend the 2019 KBIS show in Las Vegas

Covering 430,000 net square feet and 600 exhibitors host design and construction pros at the Las Vegas Convention Center

The 2019 Kitchen & Bath Industry Trade Show (KBIS), the largest North American event for kitchen and bath design professionals, welcomed designers, builders, technology integrators, dealers and kitchen and bath showroom professionals — and even a little bit of snow —along with more than 600 exhibitors to the Las Vegas Convention Center, February 19-21. Early estimates indicate an increase of 30% attendance over 2018; the sixth consecutive year of attendee growth. Floor space increased, expanding to more than 1 million net square feet between KBIS and the co-located International Builders Show (IBS), which together make up Design & Construction Week. More than 400,000 NSF of show floor space has already been secured for KBIS 2020, returning to Las Vegas January 21-23, 2020.

So what was it like attending this massive event? 

CKCA member, Gerald Van Woudenberg of Van Arbour Design, Jim Lawrence of Avondale Kitchens and CKCA President, Mike Slobodian of Decor Cabinets Ltd, had the opportunity to attend and here are some of their takeaways:

  • The show was well attended, both from a supplier and attendee point of view (actually broke records) apparently)
  • It snowed for the first time in Vegas!
  • The US market is a fair bit different than the Canadian market, they are slower to adopt the frameless construction method, choosing to do a lot of full overlays of framed cabinetry to give the look of the more contemporary styles (probably related more to a need to change a whole manufacturing line which would be expensive…)  Frameless construction adoption is starting with companies like Wellborn implementing a frameless line in their facility.
  • The US market is still more of a traditional and transitional market than contemporary, but the hardcore traditional continues to shrink
  • The Chinese presence continues to increase, both in the kitchen cabinets as well as the stainless steel hoods, sinks, and a very significant number of engineered “stone” manufacturers.
  • The most significant area of Chinese presence, in my view, was the number of large displays dedicated to Chinese-made cabinets. This will continue to be a very real challenge to our industry in that they are able to manufacture at a significantly reduced cost.
  • In the hardware department, the major manufactures were well represented, showcasing a lot of lift-up systems and sliding door options as well as internal drawer organizational systems, a lot of them in wood grains.
  • Lighting inside of cabinetry is increasing, along with the hardware options related to them
  • Lots of floating vanities, mix of materials, lots of under sink drawers
  • Gold brass is everywhere, from taps to cabinetry hardware
  • The appliance manufacturers were there in full force again, great to see
  • Lots of textured laminates
  • Jim has attended this show many times so was looking to do something different – he chose to attend the seminars, thought there was an amazing lineup
  • show has grown from 2 football fields to 4 football field, Jim couldn’t resist still walking the show! and was looking to pick up something on the builder side to work with ERP type systems,( has a 14,000 square-foot facility and under 20 employees), has been resisting the $80K price tag on ERP’s, but sought input from a colleague who got rid of their ERP and is using a specific software instead, Jim is now trying out the software too and so far so good
  • number of manufacturers with display booths for job site delivery vehicles, Murphy bed systems, hidden closet door systems and many other related items
  • Jim confesses he goes home with big bag loads of literature he tosses 11 months later, this year, he resolves to read it

Here’s a quick highlights video of the show:

https://www.interiordesign.net/videos/16056-kbis-2019-highlights/