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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1993-02-24, Page 5Times -Advocate, February 24, 1993 Pape 5 Formerly of Exeter Three sisters NW a gall mine i the nursery room KITCHENER-WATERLOO - Three women, formerly the Finnen sisters of Exeter, have turned a family business into a success sto- ry in Kitchener. Having become one of the great- est success stories in the local business community since its in- ception in 1987, Sweet Kyle Inc. of Kitchener, Ontario will be cele- brating 15 years of business in 1993. The local manufacturer of nursery room accessories has es- tablished a reputation across the country during this time for the uniqueness and high quality of every product that is delivered to their customers. As the corporate slogan would indicate, each Sweet Kyle product is designed and manufactured with "A Little Added Love", something that has been at the forefront of the company's operation since day one. Jodi Schmidt, one of three Kitchener -Waterloo sisters who purchased the company in 1988, recognizes the importance of add- ing that caring touch to the manu- facturing process. "When we ini- tially explored the possibility of carrying on the tradition that had been established by Sweet Kyla, the idea of producing a quality hank -sewn nursery item similar to that which a mother or grandmoth- er would lovingly create for their own infant was clearly something that set the product apart from any- thing I had seen", said Schmidt. Even though the company has undergone several progressive ex- pansions to accommodate the in- creasing consumer demand for the diversified Sweet Kyla product line, the traiditonal -quality of .sll Sweet Kyla products has never been compromised. Today the company has moved.urtheourrent larger premises on Trillium Drive in Kitchener and the scope of products has grown to include the manufacture of mobiles, wallhang- ings, bibs, crib linens, bunting bags, rocking chair pads, diaper stackers and curtains. These and numerous other unique baby gifts including custom baby name wall - hangings are still individually hand'sewn with the "added love" of Sweet Kyla's skilled seamstress- es. In 1990, based upon the large number of consumer requests, a factory retail outlet was opened in Kitchener to offer the public a wide range of Sweet Kyla merchandise direct from the manufacturer. The coming year will no doubt be an exciting one for the Kitchen- er company as the energetic owners have begun to explore numerous sales opportunities in the global marketplace and are steadily ex- panding the company's network of dealers across Canada. Almost half of the Canadian retail customers, which include department stores, gift boutiques and specialty stores, are located in the province of Que- bec. Having established a strong foothold in the Canadian market- place, the company has recently be- gun to seek out new business be- yond our own borders. Sweet Kyla is preparing to move aggressively into other markets around the world to sustain the steady sales growth that has been customary for the company. In a recent move, the company now designs and prints its own fabrics in Canada as the new owners took more control over the preliminary manufacturing sup- ply channels to ensure sound pro- duction and consistency of designs. The company owners are proud of 1 the fact that all Sweet Kyla prod- ucts are today 100 percent Canadi- an made. However, the emphasis upon maintaining the high standards of production quality in the Sweet Kyle tradition has required consid- erable planning as the new owners looked at expansion into other mar - Zurich council still concerned over loss of commercial lands ZURICH - Village council are once again expressing their concern over losing properties for potential businesses in Zurich to residential development. A village property owner submit- ted a request to council on how they would view her conversion of a lot zoned for highway commer- cial use into a residential lot. Council addressed the question at their February meeting, and all agreed the village needed to hold to its official plan. Councillor Dwayne Laporte pointed out that properly -zoned land was necessary to attract busi- ness to Zurich. Many businesses are unwilling to wait out a zoning change that could be protested by neighbour's. "The only way you can go with businesses now is this way," said Laporte. "If they take all our com- mercial we'll having nothing left." "The other thing is, should we be turning down the tax dollars?" asked reeve Bob Fisher, who noted the empty lot does nothing for the village at the moment. Laporte noted there were several businesses in the area of the proper- ty already, and to build a home to all who supported me in the recent election for DireClor of the Usborne and Hibbert Mutual Fire Insurance Company 'Michael O'Shea there would not be in the interest of good planning. Fisher pointed out that regardless of council's disposition, the owner still has the right to file application. "We need our commercial," com- mented councillor Barb Jeffrey. Councillor Keith Semple said he usually favoured letting owners do what they wish with their proper- ties, but he agreed Zurich's lack of commercial land was a valid point. Fisher too said that the current trend to buy up Main Street homes and convert them into businesses was not practical for Zurich. He said businesses would be looking for empty, zoned properties. "What business can afford to buy out a residential lot and put a busi- ness on it?" stated Fisher, noting up to $300,000 is being paid for such houses in Exeter. He saidlhe didn't think Zurich or Hensall cduld support that kind of a market. Council last year bolted -at the re- designation of a core -area store front to convert it into aparunents. Council then argued the loss of a store front was not in the best inter- est of the village. INVESTMENTS Is OIC/RSP 1 Yr. - 6.375% 3Yr. -7.1.25% 5Yr.-775% Segregated Funds 1 YR. - 11.07% 2)R.-11.48% suSASa . t, (raiser-Kaeaie 235-2420, • Glc roes c1 10 change. Short - sort rales aw e. Sgryoudfi.d rats refitcl act gin perforwwsce. Flaws relwiat will vary. Got a news tip?' Call the T,A at 2361331 kets. Owner Beverely Hess explained recently, "There are many potential avenues to explore in the United States and Europe, however we soli ted to ensure that we would ad- 't#gmttely be able to meet the in- creased demand for our products without compromising the consis- lent innovation and quality for which the Sweet Kyla line has be- come know." In February, the company will be exhibiting at the Baby to Teenager Fair in Cologne, Germany with the hope of attracting distributors in many European countries. After at- tending this show in August of last year to gather information and ob- serve some of the opportunities more closely, the company is opti- mistic about the future potential for their product line across Europe. The initial goal for the Kitchener company is to establish a niche in the European and United States marketplace for their hallmark baby wall decor. Kelly Walter, who attended the summer show- case on behalf of the company, dis- covered that there were very few products similar to the Sweet Kyla wallhangings. "The products that were being exhibited were for the most part -Seery conservative and repetitive in adesign. Just as the company first caught the attention of consumers in Canada with our fanciful de- signs, we are confident that we can successfully capture the imagina- tion of retailers and distributors with a wall decor line that is differ- ent than anything presently availa- ble from European manufactur- ers', said Walter. Several distributors across the United States have already ex- pressed interest in carrying the Sweet Kyla line in 1993, citing the quality and uniqueness of the cotn- panys' designs. Every six months, the Sweet Kyle designers introduce a new series of product designs which provide distributors and re- tailers with something "new" to.of- ferto their customers. In addition to embarking upon their ambitious plans to showcase their .products to the rest of the world, the company is planning several special promotions and community projects to mark this anniversary year. "Despite all of the negative sen- timent echoing throughout Canada about the decline of our manufac- turing base in this country, we still have a great deal to share with the rest of the world. We cannot sim- ply accept the notion that we can't compete on an international level. Canadian products are recognized throughout the world for their quality and innovation. We have a lot to be thankful for as Canadian business operators", added Walter. With 15 years of experience be- hind the company and with the de- termination and entrepreneurial flair of the current owners shining brightly, the next 15 years appear to be me promising than ever for Sweet Kyla Inc. They used to be knc as the F/nnen sisters when they lived In Exeter, but now Beverly Hess, Kelly Walter, and .Jori Schmidt are making a success out of their nursery room accessory busi- ness. Village wants more permanent businesses, vendor told GRAND BEND - Village council Monday evening gave a thumbs down to a proposal for a new busi- ness in Grand Bend this summer. A businessman sent council a re - .:quest to place a 25 -foot cube van at :the corner of Main St. and Govern- ment Road, a portion of property ,on Gibbs Beach and rented by the svillage. His proposal was to cook and sell .roasted chicken from the van, but council all agreed they preferred to see new businesses develop along permanent, not transient, lines. "It's another item that's not in fit- ting with our long-range plan," said councillor Bill Uniac. "In that area it's something that Grand Bend probably isn't looking for." Councillor Phil Maguire agreed, as did councillor Ed Fluter. "This looks like a transient busi- ness," commented Fluter, but added "In the respect that red meat and cholesterol are bad for you... I still don't think this business is good for Grand Bend." Council agreed to send a re- sponse leuer to the businessman and to outline why they felt it did not get approval. DEEPER & DEEPER IN DEBT? Non -Prof i t Credit Counselling CAN HELP you Deal with your creditors! 273-1020 family Counselling Service A United Way Agency WE'D LIKE TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO YOUR SUCCESS Are you working toward achieving financial and per- sonal freedom? Chartered Accountants are dedicated to maximizing your financial performance. In public practice, CAs are recognized as expert business and financial ad- . visors, as well as providers of accounting, -auditing and tax services. In business we are leaders, deci- sion makers, and key members of a company's management team. Having a CA as part of your team brings a diversity of skills to your business operation. 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