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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-10-21, Page 14Page 14 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, October 21, 2009 Manufacturing loses one third of Huron County workforce signal -star staff It's a shifting economy and in places like Hu - non County where manufacturing was king, it has been a year of great loss. According to Huron Manufacturing Associa- tion President Chris Meier, about one-third of the the manufacturing workforce is gone as employers trimfrom their organizations to weather the economic storm. All told, he said 2,000 jobs have been lost in Huron County in the last year alone. "We couldn't have imagined even one segment, taking a third of its workforce and then wiping it out in twelve months," he said. `But each segment has dropped off. Employers, he said, are sympathetic where pos- sibly; keeping people for non -crucial jobs, even at If you have an electricity - guzzling fridge that's fifteen years old or more, you can get rid of it the easy way. Just make an appointment with us. We'll come into your home, take it away for free* and recycle it in an environmentally friendly manner you'll save between $120 - $150 per year in electricity Book online today at cverykilowattcounts.ca or call 1.877-797-9473 iiel..i 7 reduced hours. Job -sharing and wage cuts have helped keep experienced staff around, and are somewhat of a necessary evil, according to Meier, they have to be. "Many people vvorking 40 hours a week are pleased to work thirty-five," he said. "But any time four people complain, that's one job gone" Less jobs, however, mean more people doing a • variety of tasks. 'line days of one person, one job are over, he said "(As an employer) right now I only want a guy that has ten abilities," he said. "It has become very difficult for someone in the industry for 10-15 years who has found themselves out on the road. If you had a job where you only had one step, you became obsolete." Whereas the agriculture and manufacturing sectors would bolster each other when one or the other failed, Meier said that is not happening this time around and what jobs remain are paying less. The bulk of Huron's manufacturers employ five people or fewer. Meier said he encourages small business to specialize rather than fold as markets dry up. Hu Wever, for business owners nearing rtrement or relocating, it is sometimes easier to close up shop than struggle against the economic "We're losing some of that history that we've built up over 20-30 years," he said `People have that mentality - `I'm not hanging in there, I'm throwing in the towel."' Enter the Green Economy. Meier said a shift in the manufacturing world toward the production of wind energy and bio -fuels is in the cards for Hu- ron County, but people need to get behind it 'The green economy is our area will be the wind resources, the solar resources, the biofuel resources," he said. 'We meed the manufacturing base for that." There is no shortage of opportunity for manu- facturers to be successful going green, he said, adding Huron County is set up to accommodate the manufacturing shift. 'We have a foundry to make parts," he said. 'We have a haif,our here that is able to handle shipments all over the world and the U.S. We have a large landmass and no big cities. Solar and wind will fit." However, he said there is a lack of understand- ing not only between the HMA and the county, but between sectors themselves. Not -in -my -backyard policies are restricting an industry that hasn't had time to mature, he said. It will take the cooperation of politicians, municipalities and industry heals to put Huron on the right track. "We're not criticizing the county, or the manu- facturers," he said 'With good workers, groups of good people and good communities we can compete. Gavin cleaning under new owners Denny Snoii signal -star staff Gavin Cleaning & Disaster Renovation is making a comeback under new ownership and management. The company changed hands in June of 2009, and the 25 -year-old company is now un- der the ownership of Darryl McMillen. Kevin loin us `Fora ffig! s,+.¥ "Come & Go Celebration Sunday, October 25 1-5P.M. Stanley Community Centre, Varna , GREETINGS AT 2:30 PM to Honour: Melissa Sparling Ontario Queen of the Furrow, 2009-2010 Brandon McGavin 2009 Canadian Junior Plowing Champion & Ontario Junior Champion Tractor PlowPerson & Scholarship Winner -• Jacob McGavin -- _2009 Junior Champion Tractor PlowPersor Along with All Huron County Plowers!! Oft/qprrollfttptvit- iff Fritzley is the the new general manager. The company, which has, in recentyears, focused more on cleaning, is branching out to all kinds of disaster restoration and repair, hoping to keep business local, instead of hav- ing outside firms come in after disasters. "We are excited to continue the carpet clean- ing, and flood, wind and fire damage services to the area," McMillen stated. Fritzley and McMillen have had a success- ful start to the endeavor, with carpet cleaning going well. The pair also took time to receive their In- stitute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) insurance contractor certificates, which authorizes them to repair' flood, fire, smoke, odor and mold damage. "We plan to purchase and train with a ther- mal imaging camera. This will easily deter- mine heat loss areas as well as flood or wet walls for drying and repairs," McMillen said. Recently, the company started offering tile and grout cleaning along with their carpet cleaning. McMillen and Fritzley plan to take this 16- cal o-cal business and support other local businesses with it. "We're going to -try and support the commu- nity," McMillen said. "We'll hire local contrac- tors, get our supplies locally, and hire labour- ers locally." The company is hoping their focus on friendly service and customer satisfaction, and the independent nature of their services, will result in successful, long-lasting business. Fritzley can be reached at 519-5242440 for cleaning appointments, and, for emergency services, he can be reached by paging 888- 220-4223.