This week I visited Proudfoots Home Hardware and Stewiacke Home Hardware to discuss snow shovels. I visited Scotsburn Co-operative to discuss their spring assortment for 2012. I ran into a potential new customer, Shur-Gain, while visiting stores in Antigonish, NS. & I attended the Atlantic Supplier Development Reverse Trade Show.
While visiting Proudfoots, I was proud to learn, they were awarded the Paul Straus Public Relations Award acknowledging their long-standing commitment to the community through dedicated initiatives, including: significant monetary donations & volunteering towards the building of new high schools, a new community Health & Wellness Centre, fundraising campaigns and participating in community events like parades & local cleanups. They’re also a family owned business and I’m pleased to nominate them for the Family Enterprise of the Year! Proudfoots Home Hardware Building Centre in Pictou has been a member of the Pictou County community since 1971 and today has evolved into two additional stores: Proudfoots Home Hardware in New Glasgow, and Proudfoots Home Building Centre in Stellarton. Proudfoots is a perfect example of the important role locally owned businesses can play to impact and improve their communities for the benefit to all.
While visiting Stewiacke, I met with Glen Paul. I met Glen previously when he was the manager of Pierceys in Elmsdale. Piecerys used to be 5 locally owned building supply stores, before they were purchased by a national chain. Glen now manages the locally owned Stewiacke Home Hardware.
Scotsburn Cooperative Services Limited was founded when local farmers met in the village of Scotsburn, N.S. and established a creamery to manufacture butter from local milk. Today, Scotsburn Dairy Group is the largest Atlantic Canadian owned dairy processor & distributor in the Atlantic region. Scotsburn Country Store is the retail division where you can choose from a full range of local, fresh dairy products as well as pet supplies, farm supplies (including Trail Blazer products) and much more. Scotsburn Dairy is a committed member of the community by supporting many groups and organizations to make our communities a better place to live.
Nutreco Canada Inc. is Canada’s leading animal nutrition company, supported by leading trusted brand Shur-Gain and excellence in research & development. The business provides superior animal nutrition products including branded swine, cattle, poultry and equine. Shur-Gain owns & operates 11 mills throughout Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Canada and New York. These mills provide premixes, supplements and complete feeds for all major livestock & poultry.
Shur-Gain also manufactures and sells pet food through a very extensive franchise dealer network and has established retail outlets to serve both rural & urban customers.
During the Atlantic Supplier Development Reverse Trade Show I met with buyers from Municipal, Provincial & Federal Governments. Not just Nova Scotia, but also the other three Atlantic Provinces (New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island & Newfoundland). A twist of the traditional trade show, I visited government display booths to discuss what potential use they would have for Trail Blazer Products.
All the Best, Shawn Levangie