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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1995-08-16, Page 5T T S YQ T n JjjJjjjtTp5 S Times -Advocate, August 16, 1995 Laverne Hamilton, left, is glad to have his son John back as part of the family business. Son upgrades the family business Brenda Burke T -A staff EXETER - After living in Hamilton and London, then working for two years in Calgary as a C & C (computer numeric control) programmer and with CAD (computer aided design for injection molding), John Hamilton has decided to open shop back at his family's business, Hamilton's Ma- chine Shop Ltd. John moved back to London last week and is now in the midst of re locating his home-based business, also called Hamilton's Machine Shop, in his father's shop in an effort to modernize the facilities. "The way it's going to improve Hamilton Machine Shop immediately," said John of the shop that now performs general fabrication machining, "is it's going to (have) more precise machining capability." That means retraining, the possibility of additional staff, plus new equipment including a C & C vertical mill and a surface grinder. "If I found the need for making plastic injection molding I'd need more people," said John. New equipment will allow the shop to provide competitive precision machining and mold -making services. Part of these changes include the installation of a computer system during the next year. This CAD -CAM softwear will draft three-dimensional images that can be used to program ,the machines. " My father's talked about getting into this for some time now," said John. Immediate changes will include a new inventory system and organizing a new computerized office for John who will use the business as a test site for future molding and precision machining. "The machines are really expensive and you have to justify the need and try out the market here," he said. The molding equipment should be in place by next year. As for com- puterized machines, which are priced at $80,000 and up, the shop may add those in a few years. There is great demand in Ontario for John's type of work, which in- volves tool and dye and mold -making. While working from Hamilton's Machine Shop, he'll continue to contract his work out to London, Calgary and Hong Kong. John's father, Laverne, moved Hamilton's Machine Shop Ltd., to Hwy. 83 on the outskirts of Exeter in 1985 from its old, smaller location on Nel- son street. He describes his work as "general fixing" including factory and farm re- pairs. "All jobs are custom-made. (We) don't do production work," added his wife, Marjorie. Hamilton's Machine Shop has just completed grandstands for the Grand Bend Motorplex and had constructed flag poles for $xeter a few years ago. The shop also works on smaller projects such as wheelchair carriers, railings, lawnmower repairs, chairs for the high school and pipe threading. Laverne says it's the little jobs, which make up three quarters of his work, that keep him going. Laverne is looking forward to the changes his business will go through with his son's help over the next few years. "John is switching us all over to computers...I think machine shops as we know it will cease to exist. They've all gone high tech." But John described the upcoming change as "a gradual transition from conventional machining tocomputerized m.:chining," adding customers will continue to receive Hamilton's traditional labor and customer ser- vice. ■ BUSINESS DIRECTORY AUCTIONEERS Filson & Robson 35 Years Experience of Selling or Appraisals CaII or fax 519- 4644933 for your Mobile office, Immediate payment, 3 auctioneers we pick up and sell com- plete or partial household effects Specializing In real estate and general sales REPAIRS Sewing Machine Repairs to all makes v estimates 90DaiWarranty Experienced since 1952 Sew and Save Centre Ltd. 149 Downie St., Stratford Phone 271-9660 Bob Heywood Licensed Auctioneer Serving Exeter area for 10 years Large Auction Centre at 586 Main St. S. We will consign anything you want to sell or we will buy outright for cash. Complete auction Service Contact Bob Res. 235-0874, Bus. 2354469 AIR STYLIST XbeCutting Come' 10 Wellington St. & Main (Beside Murphy's) 235 -HAIR (4247) Vicki Parsons KIm Scott Terri Farquhar Waxing and ear piercing Senior discount on Mon., Tues., Wed. Page 5 Farmer's market still in Success in negotiations with council chili contest A site plan and develop- ment agreement have been requested by council Heather Mir T -A staff ZURICH - The entrepreneurs proposing a flea and farmer's market in Zurich are determined to go ahead with the venture despite council's concern the use may be far from temporary. Keith Miller and his business as- sociate Mervyn Ryder have proposed establishing,a flea market on the site of of a former wood pallet factory at 61 Main St. North. For the applicants to use the property, which is currently designated light industrial, they must get a temporary use by-law passed per- mitting a commercial operation. The plans for the flea market have developed from a modest venture into a rather extensive project including up to $500,000 in renovation work to the existing building. With this kind of investment council and the county plan- ner seriously doubt the use of the property is actual- ly flea market at all. "It's sounding less like a flea market and more like a department store," said Huron County Plan - "It's so less lik ma mor dep ner? Wayne Caldwell. Ryder was present at Thursday night's regular council meeting to address the site plan and de- velopment agreement the village has requested. The main issues raising concern from council and area residents are sufficient parking and approval of a site plan. Ryder said he wanted more flexibility than the draft agreement allows due to the unknown nature of the business. "What control do we have as a council'?" asked Councillor Brad Clausius. Because of the "grandiose" plans Ryder outlined to council, they ques- tioned whether a temporary use by- law is appropriate for this type of business. It was suggested that Ryder and Miller considered a application for a permanent zoning by-law change to commercial use. The own- er said he would not authorize this ap- plication until the applicants purchase the land. Ryder said he is willing to come to some compromise with council and will send a let- ter within a week to council outlining what terms he is willing to agree to. Negotiations will take place once the letter is received and a special council meeting may be held to deal with this issue quickly. unding e a flea rket and e like a artment store." • KITCHENER - The Exeter Opti- mist chili team placed well on the weekend in a contest held in Kitch- ener. Bill and Cathy Dinney and Ge- rald and Carolyn Merner clinched second place with their'Texas Ya- hoo chili in the Optimist category, second in the best food category and eighth in the Casa (genuine Texan chili) category. Geiser Kneale 235-2420, 2344464 * GIC rate, subject to change. Short term rates available. Segregated Fonds rates reflect actual past perjonuance. Future returns will vary. Investments GIC / RSP 1 Yr. - 6.55% 3Yr. -6.8% Syr. -7.55% Segregated Fudds 1 YR. - 14.39% 3 YR. - 9.87% 5 YR. - 9.08% 5 `` glieNA GM - BETTER �l °=� WO _=` NEWSPAPERS COMPETITIONS ,`,„-," A. • The President and Directors . of the Canadian Community Newspapers Association Representing the Community Newspapers of Canada are pleased to congratulate • . - r • R�, . '. 4Ip I• 1 On placing first in the "Best Advertising Idea Award" category for newspapers with 4,000 to 12,499 circulation. The Times -Advocate worked closely with Seip's . Valu -Mart, creating an advertising campaign which brought their mascot Marty to life. A series of advertisements built suspense over sever- al weeks before ending with the entire parking lot of the plaza filled with curious shoppers. Shown with the award which was presented to the T -A recently in Saskatoon, Sask. are: Cathy Seip, Barbara Consitt, advertising representative and Tom Seip. In the Association's X995 Better Newspapers Competitions open to member newspapers across Canada \995 p111/E WINN,,rlv •\_091A. COMMuplrr C • CNA .J 4PERs S80CVV��O�S -1 wsPAPEHs c.-- 5