Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance Times, 1995-09-06, Page 3WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1885 Crown Windows closure prompts business start GORRIE—When Elva Budgell says she's going to succeed with her new business on Edward St. here, one gets the impression if this woman can't do it, no one can. El -Tech might seem an unusual business venture for a woman, but Ms. Budgell has both the'qualifica- tions and experience to tackle it. EI -Tech supplies 100 per cent vinyl windows, any size, any de- sign. So far, Ms. Budgell is doing most of the work herself, calling in a part-time worker when neces- sary. She decided to strike out on her own when Crown Wt'ndows in Wingham closed, moving the busi- ness to Kitchener. She had been employed with Crown for seven years, five of them in management. Prior to that, she was with Bell Canada for 10 years. "I'm an accountant by trade," she said, adding that she originally came from Nova Scotia. "Most of my family is here in Ontario." NO GOV'T. HELP Ms. Budgell said when Crown Windows closed in December 1994, she had to make. a decision whether to drive to work in Kitch- ener each day, or -try something different. She opted for the latter. "We had a very good business at Crown and I figurcdi there was still a need for windows in the area." Elva Budgell said the govern- ment was of no help to her. in start- ing her own business. "They wanted more in the way of security than it took to start up. The government refused to help me. • "If it hadn't been for the confi- dence Gwen Papple, the loans manager at Laurentian Bank in Wingham, had in me, this. never would have happened. I've known Gwen for many years, and I have a good credit rating. I owe Gwen special thanks." Ms. Budgell says she has no hesitation in standing behind her product. She will supply windows for new construction and for replace- . ment. She does the measuring her- self and assembles the windows, but does not install them. "If people need someone to in- stall them, I can suggest a couple of local contractors — its impor- tant (he windows be installed prop- erly." The vinyl window frames come in white and sandlewood. She won't handle any other color of window frame, "because the addi- • tion of chemicals for color affect the quality of the vinyl." The windows arc designed to be maintenance free, never needing painting, and carrying a lifetime warranty against peeling, cracking and blistering on the vinyl frames. The glass units carry a 20 -year warranty against seal failure and will be replaced at no charge to the original consumer, by El -Tech. If a window gets broken, "I'll go out myself and replace it," Ms. Bud- gell said. She also docs glass replacement and screen repair. , FAST TURNAROUND Elva Budgell said she has a 10 - day turn -a -round in orders. "Peo- ple don't have to wait months for their windows." The fact the windows arc built locally also means they are ser- viced locally. The customer deals ditectly with EI -Tech, getting per- sonalized service when they need it. "The consumer is becoming more aware of the quality and en- ergy efficiency of windows and is THE WHAM AOYANCETINES Boy found safe after wandering TUCKERSMITH TWP – At ap- proximately 4:30 p.m. on Monday, August 28, Aaron Martin, 22 months, went missing from his par- ents new home at Lot 13, Conc. 2- 3, Tuckersmith Township. A local search of the area was conducted by the parents without success. At 5:45 p.m., the Goderich OPP were called in to assist in the search. The OPP canine unit attend- ed as did a platoon of Emergency Response T.am personnel of the OPP and members of the Goderich detachment. Four fire departments attended to assist in the search along with ap- proximately 150 local residents. It was,, believed that Aaron had wan- dered off into one of the three large cornfields surrounding the new home. A formal search of the area was conducted at approximately 7:30 p.m. Aaron had travelled through a large plot of corn when he came to a bush area where he decided to lay down and go to sleep. Shortly after 10:00 p.m. Aaron was located by searchers sleeping at the edge of the bush. He was found to be in good health. JEAF JEP JE JEAI` JEA' JE!. JEAiN::. JEAf JEA' E:JE/ E JEAN E JEA E JEA E. JE/ ti E !JEAN Lunch is READY! Daily Luncheon Specials Homemade Soups Come out for lunch & bring a friend. Wingham Golf & Curlinq Club 1st Concession So th of Wingham, E off Hwy #4 357-2179 Support Your Community SHOP LOCALLY Elva Budgell...started her window business when she lost her job with Crown Windows of Wingham. She started the Gorrie-based company without government assistance and has found success in * -area. naturally concerned with who is going to service 'the product," Ms. Budgell said. "Being local, El -Tech Windows can provide this service which is beneficial to beth the consumer and contractors." • Ms. Budgell opened her busi- ness on May 15, and noted there have been times when she has been a bit ambitious in quoting a completion time. She's had to work around the clock a few times, but so far hasn't disappoint- ed a customer. "I love to work, and thankfully I still have my health, so 1 can do it. I work 14 to 16 hours a day, seven days a week. "One thing I won't do is to corn - promise the quality of my work, because if you have to service the product, it simply doesn't pay." ENCOURAGEMENT Ms. Budgell said she has re- ceived assistance. and encourage- ment from the people of Gorrie. "The people at Triple A Restau- rant, Watson's Hardware, Harke's Industries, Doig's Garage, Lockie Electric, Joe Simmons and Butch Stone -- they've all been great." She says she is also grateful to Brenda and Howie Turner. "Bren- da was a good,employce at Crown Windows and extremely helpful in• getting me started." One of Ms. Budgell's hopes is to expand her business to the point where she can hire three or four of the workers who were employed.at Crown Windows. She would also like to assist in the organization of a business as- sociation for Gorrie and'area •busi- nesses. "I think there could be some savings for many of us," she said, explaining that- one of her biggest costs is transportation for supplies, etc. "I've had occasions when a courier service charged me $25 for a $9 item," she said. "If I'm going to Toronto and somebody needs something from Markham, I don't mind swinging around and picking it up. If we had an association, per- haps we could make arrangements for some of these things." Ms. Budgell said there are a lot of misconceptions regarding small business. "For example, people wonder why I don't take them to lunch. I can't do that, unless there is a le- gitimate reason for it — I don't go out for lunch; I bring my lunch with me." Elva Budgell is confident she will make a success of her new bus iness. "If I don't, it won't be for lack of effort," she said. "I'm willing to• do what it takes — no job is too big, or too small." August not hottest in history Continued from front page 1918. A mean monthly temperature is determined by taking an average of the highest and lowest tempera- tures for the month, explains Maw - son. No records for daily high tem- peratures were broken either. The highest temperature recorded at London for the month was 32.0, which is "not all that impressive," according to Mawson. What may have made August feel so warm, suggests Mawson, is high humidity levels and consis- tently high day -time and night-time temperatures over the course of the month. August saw lower -than -normal precipitation, 65.6 millimetres, RECYCLE THIS PAPER compared to the usual 89.6mm. As well, there was less than the usual hours of bright sunshine, 200.5 hours, compared to the average of 232.7, adds Mawson. In its 30 -day projection for the month of September, Environment Canada predicts lower than normal temperatures. The average for the month is 15.5 degrees Celsius. Accident injures boy The Wingham OPP were called to investigate a farm accident which occurred at Lot 11, Conc. 6, Turnberry Township at approxi- mately 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Au- gust 29. A six -horse team pulling a culti- vator and driven by Levi Martin, age 15 years, of the same address was in the process of going across a school yard to enter a field. The cultivator struck a wooden sandbox on the school yard, the horses bolt- ed and the driver was thrown off the seat and dragged approximately 100'feet under the cultivator. Levi was taken to the Wingham and District Hospital and admitted suffering from serious injuries. He was transferred to London's Chil- dren's Hospital. Late last week it was learned Levi was improving and in stable condition. 'FAM SALE r`4LE � SS SLE • •ALE 9 9S ALE • 1ALE eto �LE 9S ALE ,/A L Ew SALE ale SLE F SALE SALE Dietrich 's Whole Wheat 39 675gr. Beatrice Half & Half GROCERIES LiPton Noodles & Sauce .99 McCain Hash Browns 2/.99 Picnic Lemonade White or Pink 355 mL. 3/.99 Beatrice Orange Juice I.89L 1.79 Kismet Margarine Devon Side Bacon $ 79 l • SOO gr 1 lb. FROM THE DELI Schneider's Thuringer $3.99/1b Shopsy's Roast Beef $4.2911b Mary Miles Cooked Ham $1.9911b Also we have Super - Jet Carpet Cleaning Rentals Black iamond C ieese Slices 99 24's resh Boneless Butt Roasts $ i 59 lb. lolMof4nOrnk ...Mot 57 A •A /Yl -We Deliver - , nr'1r here in Tovi tt ,Any 1)ay of the r te[b a50v. R 4