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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1995-10-18, Page 13North 1.1,d0ieses & North La,+oton October 18, 1995 Future of shop depends on entrepreneurial success Dashwood Wood Products expects to make a small profit in first year moving from non-profit into competitive setting Heather Mir T -A staff DASHWOOD - In a climate of government funding cutbacks and tightening budgets, Dashwood Wood Products is taking up the challenge to move from a govern- ment funded non-profit organiza- tion into an entrepreneurial en- vironment. "This isn't make-work anymore, by any means. This work is as val- uable as any work," said John Gray, Executive Director, Com- munity Living South Huron. Historically, the woodworking shop was funded 60 to 70 per cent by the ministry but currently. re- ceives less than 10 per cent in sub- sidy. The funding covers the cost of two staff members. All over- head expenses and operating costs are covered by the shop. The main products are wood pal- lets and shipping crates as well as survey stakes which recover some off -cut waste material. A new pallet machine is expected to nearly double productivity and reduce physical work by 70 per cent once employees have received training. The pallet machine was financed by the Oakwood Mixed Invitational Golf Tournament and Partners in Community Living fundraising. Oakwood donated $6,580 and Partners in Community Living raised $2,000. The re- maining cost was loaned to the shop by Community Living, to be paid back in two years. Dashwood Wood Products was officially set up April 1 and now seven months- into the rot fiscal year, expects to make a modest 0 CI 0 0 0 0 0 0 CI CI 0 CI profit if production remains on track. "We are finding that every budget cut is not bad; it forces you to be more creative." With a core group of about nine full-time employees, the shop also A 0 employs one staff member on a job- sOntario contract and a participant of the P.A.C.E. program from South Huron District High School. Employees earn a small training allowance, not exceeding the limits set by FBA (Family Benefits Al- lowances). Long-term plans by the Board of Directors include owner -operation which would return profits to em- ployees. Gray believes the people Community Living services are much further ahead to earn wages and be self-sufficient than to de- pend on FBA. Profit-sharing will help create more incentives for efficient work. The board also finds an integrated workforce of labelled and non - labelled employees helps to create a better work ethic than a segregat- ed setting. One of the obstacles staff wrestle with is the shift from a non-profit environment where socializing is acceptable to one which demands more diligent work. Maintaining a competitive product will help guar- antee Dashwood Wood Products a share in an open market. "Some of the very lucrative con- tracts are no longer even in Canada. Woodworking is competed on the open market," said Stuart. The challenge is to weather dif- ficult financial times ahead. The Business Committee of the Board of Directors is looking at a two- pronged approach to dealing with funding cut-backs. "We are finding that every budget cut is not bad; it forces you to be more creative," said Harry Stuart, General Manager, Dashwood Wood Products. Gray said the board is looking for long -tern solutions rather than short-term interventions . By creat- ing employment and finding part- ners in the community, the board is trying to meet their mandate of planning around the individual. Person Centred Planning attempts to return decision-making and re- sponsibility back to the individual, family and close friends with the support of Community Living. a a no 0 Damp 0 0 0 CI LI HYDE BROTHERS FARM EQUIPMENT LIMITED } /,► AGCO " � _ DEM01 ALLIS -- - AGCO Featuring: 4 spd. shift. - 3 pt. electronic controls -18 spd - power shift CI Cl 0 0 CI CI O 0 CI a SALFORD PLOW 4, 5, 6 Furrows Also on Hand - 8 Furrow 4x4 Flex OCTOBER 26 - LOCATION; HENSALL OCTOBER 27 - LOCATION; ST. MARYS 11.a.m.to4p.m. Watch. for map in next week's paper HYDE BROTHERS )'» FARM EQUIPMENT LIMITED ® HENSALL 262-2605 • Rannoch 229-6700 000 0 © ® ® DM o 000 0 CI 0 a CI 0 CI CI CI O CI 0 0 0 Cl CJ 0 0 0 0 pm Employees Dennis Dann, left, and Paul Consitt, above, demonstrate the various skills involved with the construction of wood pallets and crates manufactured by Dashwood Wood Products. The business officially moved into the competitive mar- ket April 1. TILLAGE CLEARANCE CIH 4952 52 ft. Vibra chisel - "1 ONLY" CASE 111 CIH 4937 37 ft. Vibra shank - "1 ONLY" Vibra shank - "1 ONLY" CALL LEN, JERRY OR CItECKLIS I rd Low Down Payment rA Interest Free until April 1/96 rid Unbeatable Prices Choice DI Harrows 1 CIH 4937 37 ft. Vibra chisel - I ONLY" 77,04,,ii CIH 4931 31 ft. Vibra shank - "2 ONLY" H651413'9" Conser-till - "1 ONLY" B TODAY FOR DETAILS FARM EQUIPMENT - EXETER, ONTARIO Sales, Service & Rentals Since 1932 Fax 19 235-2791. 519 235-2 • 1994 CASE CORPORATION Corse IH is a ►ogrsterrcl trademark of Casa Corporntrot, CASE 111