This week I visited Home Hardware stores and Co-op Country Stores to set-up snow shovels. I traveled to Quebec for the CME ,AGM and traveled to Yarmouth for the NS Export Rally. I met with my banker to discuss access inventory caused by a decrease of consumer spending in the US.
I was very excited to begin setting-up our Reverse D-Handle Snow Shovels in Home Hardware & Co-op Country Stores in Nova Scotia. I’m very proud we were able to develop a snow shovel with Superior leverage to handle heavy, wet or packed snow. We wanted to build a snow shovel that could truly withstand the rigors of the Canadian winter … to get at & pry loose the hard stuff. The reverse D-shaped handle provides a natural and comfortable grip with extra leverage when lifting, while leaving the wrist and elbow aligned to reduce fatigue in your wrist and back.
During the set-ups, I had my first visit to Maple Leaf Home Hardware, but not my first visit to Canning, Nova Scotia or my first visit to this store. I was their before when they were a Timber Mart. They recently changed and became a Home Hardware. After I completed the snow shovel set-up, I met with Mark Paish, their paint consultant to discuss the Premier Professional Xtend-A™ Poles and discovered they were also a Benjamin Moore Paint store. Mark and I discussed how our Nova Scotia made poles can successfully replace both the US & China made brand they presently were carrying and the need for Trail Blazer to build broom handles to replace the models presently on the market.
While I was in Quebec, I toured Prevost, the leading North American manufacturer of passenger coaches & conversion coaches for motor-homes. Prevost expanded with the acquisition of Nova Bus, a leading public transit vehicle manufacturer. Its expertise and leading-edge manufacturing processes are behind the most innovative public transit solution on the road today. As part of the Volvo Group, Prevost excellence begins at the design stage, extends through their manufacturing operations, and continues throughout their Parts and Service Centers to create a product accepted by the president of the united States.
I was in Quebec to hear our Chairman’s report. Roy Cook reported this was another positive year for CME and, from all accounts, for Canada’s manufacturers & exporters. While the business climate of this past year has been more favorable than prior years, there can also be no question that this past year has had its share of challenges for all of us. The passing of another year has underscored the impact the recent recession has had on our global business community, noting in particular the resulting acceleration in the globalization of markets and Canada’s strengthened reputation & competitive position in the global business community, as illustrated by the continued strong growth of the emerging economies of China, India, Brazil, Russia & others. Plus the financial challenges that surfaced in Europe & the United States.
Throughout this year, CME has continued to strengthen its contribution to Canada’s manufacturers and exporters; making several major achievements and completing a host of smaller accomplishments over the past year that, when aggregated, have unquestionably assisted our members to successfully deal with the many challenges we’ve encountered over the past several years. Allow me to highlight a few of these achievements … the extension of the accelerated depreciation provisions on capital investments and the major initiatives on United States / Canada trade and border issues. These are areas of particular importance to Canadian manufacturers and exporters and CME is making a difference.
When I returned home from Quebec, I stopped into the house for 5 hours (had a nap) and then headed south to visit Yarmouth and attend the Nova Scotia Export Rally. Where I was asked to speak about diversify markets to emerging economies (such as Brazil, Russia, India, China, & others). Plus I added how diversified markets lead me to exporting and growing Trail Blazer’s revenues & strengthen our company’s growth plan. Events like this bring together local companies, industry professionals and trade & export experts for a day of development & networking.
To finish the week, I met with my banker to discuss the changes in our balance sheet. More important the higher Inventory & lower receivables. He didn’t tell me anything I didn’t know, just what I didn’t want to hear and gave me that required push needed to prepare a list of access inventory we are now offering at 60% off wholesale prices to balance the sheets. Offers like 1,235 contractor shovels for only $9,000 and 4,000 snow shovels or 4,390 extension poles for only $28,000. Also 600 assorted garden tools for $1,800 and 1,800 loppers for only $27,000. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Robert Woodman for putting this list together so quickly & Ben Cumming for preparing the presentation of the list without any delays. It is good to know we have a team that can respond to requests or situations quickly and efficiently.
All the Best, Shawn Levangie