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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2018-04-05, Page 8PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018. Huron Feeding Systems marks 40 years in Brussels H 1F4 HURON FEEDING SYSTEMS 'Grain Bins ' Aeration' Dryers 'Flex Augers ' Feed Tanks - P.O. Seiti 185.5.887-6299 mi e.it the TS/ SERVICE Unique There aren't many local businesses that can claim to have been run by the same family for 40 years, but the Seili family can make that claim with Huron Feeding Systems, owned by Joe and Deb Seili. The company celebrates its 40th anniversary later this month. Above, from left, are three generations of the family in front of the business: Tim and his mother Jacquie Waechter, Deb and Joe. (Denny Scott photo) By Denny Scott The Citizen Huron Feeding Systems is marking its 40th year in business this year. The family-owned company started in the Seili family's garage 40 years ago, and, just like the feed - bin industry it's a part of, a lot has changed over the past 40 years. Owners Deb and Joe Seili started the business during a trying time for the family, with Deb pregnant with their first child and Joe wanting to have full-time work. "I had worked seasonally for seven years and I got tired of it," he said in a previous interview with The Citizen. "I decided to go out on my own, but, back then, there wasn't help like there is today to get a business started" What started in the family garage grew into its own shop in 1986, which has expanded multiple times in the years since. In 2015, a third warehouse was built for the company, according to Deb, thanks to the addition of the Shivvers and Meridian lines in 2014. The company also prides itself on having parts on -hand instead of having them ordered, Joe explained. "We've always carried a high inventory, probably higher than we should, but we like to have things here when people want them," he said. "It's impossible to keep every make and model in stock, but I try to do my best so we can help to keep the farmers going." Another recent change included a refreshing of the company's main shop entrance on George Street in Brussels. The redesign was built for the International Plowing Match held in nearby Walton last year. Deb explained that the new entrance, which is built to look like a grain bin roof, has people literally walking into the world of feeding systems when they enter the store. As the company has changed, the industry has undergone some pretty dramatic changes, Deb said. In the early days, everything was manual and done how the customers wanted it. Video of UCC moderator shown Continued from page 3 Church Moderator. The hymn, "Welcome Happy Morning" was followed by the call to worship repeated responsively and the prayer of approach. Hillary asked the congregation if they could name the sounds that she made, sounds that cows, pigs, roosters, donkeys, dogs and cats make as well as another sound of someone saying "go to your room" These are sounds familiar to us. The Gospel tells us the Mary Magdalene came to the tomb where they had laid Jesus' body and found it empty. She saw a man standing near the tomb and knew she knew Him. She realized who He was when He spoke to her. The more we share the Easter Story, the more people will know about the story of Jesus. The hymn "Jesus Christ is Risen Today" was sung. The scripture reading was from John 20:1 - 18. The choir sang the anthem "Hallelujah, Hallelujah." Hillary told the congregation that she did not have a green thumb. She did start seedlings last year and they grew. When emptying the soil bag, she found a seedling had started to grow and when transplanted it soon caught up to the other plants. Plants grow in strange places but if you transplant them they soon look like the rest. We are all like seeds and God builds a relationship with us. He stops at nothing to find us. Death can not cancel out memories. In God's world the first will be last and the last will be first. The crucifixion is not the last. God finds a way to find us. Even in death it is not the last. Christ is alive. Nothing will stop God's dream. The offering was received, followed by the singing of the response "Your Work 0' God Needs Many Hands" and the offertory prayers. The hymn, "God Our Protector" was sung leading into the prayers for the people, silent prayers and the singing of the Lord's Prayer. The last hymn "Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Give Thanks" was followed by the benediction and the singing of the response, "Wherever You May Go." Everyone was then invited for coffee, treats and fellowship. Keep up with the latest agri-businesses and the best of rural living! gTl tcentury skills to communication an. vdtidflonidt"fool ngangr/dp %JdkfB, A: From drones to robotics m sugar shack monitoring, sumo. is sweet say producers at innovation conxeroime $20 for 12 issues $35 for 24 issues Please make cheques payable to North Huron Publishing Inc. one man snares his digital journey on the whys and vows of creating a polkas( to promote amt.,'Ium The magazine of Agricultural Life The Rural Voice , 413 Queen St., P.O. Box 429 Blyth, ON NOM 1H0 Subscribe Today , "It all started with hand -cranked systems that were dangerous and heavy," she said. "Now we're dealing with hydraulics." She said that, at that time, a customer would pick a system, and have it installed and that would be the end of the transaction. These days, however, there is a lot more involved both before and after the install is completed. "Now we build concrete bases and have to have building permits and there is so much paperwork involved," she said. "There is paperwork for pricing, ordering, shipping, arriving and getting delivered to the grounds. Those changes all started in 1995 when we went from one computer to four computers. Safety training has also left its mark on the industry, she said, especially over the past several years. "We're now doing bi-weekly training seminars for staff," she said. "Farm organizations back us up by live -streaming these programs so we can watch them online." The company participates in various programs and events to spread the word about the work they do including farm shows, dealer days and customer days, all designed to keep customers and employees busy year-round. The winter has always been a lean season in the industry, Deb said, though, recently, there have been some changes to that due to some company diversification. "We've been designing and installing brewery systems in the winter," she said. "We've probably been doing it for the last 10 years, but it didn't get really heavy until the last two years. We installed a half dozen over the winter, which helps us keep sales up and keep employees working" As for the future, the family- owned business is going to stay that way, Deb said. "We're proud to have it be a family-owned business and one of our three children will be a part of it," she said. "Jacquie [Waechter, Joe and Deb's daughter] is here, as is her son, our grandson Tim, which means we have three generations working right now." Joe and Deb are hoping to retire in the next six years. However, that depends on a strong, dependable team in place for the future. The company will be hosting an open house on Friday, April 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a barbecue lunch between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. For more information, contact Huron Feeding Systems online at www.huronfeedingsystems.com or call 519-887-6289. Stay 1onnected Fj 1 1 1 to - The Citizen wherever you are in the world with an Electronic Subscription • Easy access • Read on your phone, tablet or computer • Perfect for travellers, students or snowbirds • Timely reading (no waiting for mail delivery) $3800 per year Go to our website and pay by Pay Pal or come into the office and pay by cheque, cash, credit card or debit The Citizen 413 Queen St., Blyth 541 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-523-4792 519-887-9114 www.northhuron.on.ca