2012 Nominee Bios / Overviews Customer First Award
This award is for a customer service centered business, in operation in the Haliburton Highlands. This award recognizes exceptional performance resulting in quality service to customers and/or clients. This business would provide customers with choices in both sources of services and the means of delivery, making information, services and complaint systems easily accessible. An example of an exceptional performance may include compassion and caring that goes well beyond expectations for customer service. This award is open to every type of established business.
Close this browser window/tab to return to the Nomination Voting form
Haliburton Lumber & Enterprises Inc.
Haliburton Lumber & Enterprises Limited first opened its doors over 43 years ago. From its inception, the mission statement has been to serve the great residents and cottagers of Haliburton with good service and competitive prices.
Like the community it serves, Haliburton Lumber has evolved to include an extensive showroom, a diverse inventory and the latest trends in residential construction. Perhaps their biggest attribute is their cutting edge drafting centre that allows Haliburton Lumber to work with customers and make their dream home or cottage a reality. They take this privilege very seriously and are very proud when they can help a customer take an idea to design and then to fruition. Their greatest strength though is their staff! At the height of the busy season, Haliburton lumber employs over 40 people. The commitment and dedication their staff show to performance and service lends itself to repeat and referral business. It is patience and hard work that sets their staff apart – more than half of their staff have been a part of Haliburton Lumber for over 10 years and some have been there for over 20 years!
Haliburton Lumber openly gives back to the community throughout the year, recognizing that there are a great many people, organizations and charities that make up the fabric of this great community.
Highland Glass and Window
In 1983, Jim O’Connor moved to Haliburton with his young family to fill a void in the economy of the greater Haliburton region. Highland Glass and Windows began by doing small repairs and developed into a full service glass shop. Highland Glass and Windows provides consulting and broker services for complete window and door projects, from retro fit to custom-built homes and cottages, as well as commercial projects, hotels and resorts. Complete kitchen and cabinetry design services have also been added to their product roster, to meet the customers’ needs.
After operating out of various locations in the County, Highland Glass and Windows custom-built an eco-friendly showroom, in Haliburton’s Industrial Park. The 2,800 square foot building was built with insulated concrete forms and incorporates under-floor hot water heating and solar panels. All the products sold by Highland Glass and Windows surpass all energy-star ratings with the highest R-value available. Virgin woods, fibreglass and PVC are among the eco-friendly products sold.
Highland Glass and Windows employs approximately 8 people for at least 10 months of the year. Several employees have been with the company for more than 20 years. Even during the quiet winter months of January and February customer service is still a top priority. Through 29 years of business Highland Glass and Windows has maintained excellent customer service. From 24 hour on-call service for broken windows or doors, to the many meetings with clients to finalize design plans, Highland Glass and Windows provides individualized service. Highland Glass and Windows is dedicated to meet and surpass customers’ needs.
Parker Pad & Printing
In November of 2009 when Janis Parker, owner of Parker Pad & Printing Ltd., acquired County Commercial Printers in Haliburton, she started business with just two staff members – an administrative assistant and a graphic designer. In just two short years, staffing has tripled to six, to include an office manager, graphic designer, press operator, two sales representatives/project coordinators and a bindery person.
In order to properly accommodate their growth, the company relocated from Industrial Park Road to Mallard Road after the third month of operation. The current building, which at one point housed a car wash, was completely renovated and received upgraded equipment. After one-year in business, the building was further renovated with a 600-square-foot-addition to accommodate a Kodak NexPress (a digital high speed production colour press).
Parker Pad & Printing is proud to promote green-friendly practices: it’s accreditation from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and Bullfrog reflects this commitment.
The company’s quick growth demonstrates that Parker Pad & Printing has formed a laudable list of clients, and remains committed to serving their needs. Through this Haliburton Highlands-based operation, residents, cottagers and visitors can obtain quality print and design services locally.
Subway Restaurants – Haliburton & Minden
The Haliburton Highlands Subway Restaurants work hard at maintaining community relations and supporting local events and special fundraising initiatives – offering complimentary Subway sandwich platters to local schools, businesses, banks and municipal offices during the Christmas Holidays was just one of the many ways Subway showed appreciation to their customers this past year.
A strong supporter of the Hospital Foundation, Subway hosts a special ‘bogo’ sale (buy-one-get-one) annually and donates a portion of the sales to the foundation. They are also avid supporters of ‘cops for pediatric cancer’.
Subway is very committed to the many charitable organizations in the communities it serves and gives back through donations of food, money and coupons. Always seeking out better ways of serving the needs of its customers, the Subway ‘family’ goes the extra mile day after day.
WAI Products Limited
Picture yourself riding a rocket that needs constant refueling and tends to do the odd flip; that’s what the first year of WAI Products Ltd. felt like! While there were some challenges, there were also some significant accomplishments and successes. Owner Brandi Hewson believes that her success is rooted in clear determination, passion, and relationships, in combination with the selection of innovative products and making the right moves at the right time.
Some of WAI’s 2011 milestones have included: negotiations with multi-billion dollar companies securing distribution agreements as well as a market presence; nailing sales within 10% of forecasts; travelling over 40,000 km in 6 months to build their market; providing employment for the community; building a new corporate website in combination with a new ecommerce website; building a brand people associate with an ultimate level of customer service – gaining recognition in a 40 billion dollar industry!; building and moving into a new office to promote enhanced service to the local community and an expanded inventory.
WAI Products has definitely experienced a positive and satisfying first year in business! And in all of this, Hewson, still managed to fulfill her other roles as a mother, a wife, a friend, a daughter…. Brandi does not expect the next years to be easy; she didn’t become an entrepreneur to take the easy road. She embraces the road ahead and all the challenges it may bring. She finds great reward in knowing that she has built a little empire that will support her community and her family. Looking back Brandi has a sense of a solid foundation and moving forward – she’s strapped onto her little rocket and ready to take off!
Win Yeung Chinese Restaurant
Husband and wife team Alvy Tsang (Manager) and Alex Cao (Chef) own and operate Haliburton’s Win Yeung Chinese Restaurant. Immigrating to Canada 30 years ago, Alex honed his chef skills in Toronto, before purchasing their own restaurant in Haliburton. Together, they work tirelessly to ensure that their customers are satisfied and their hard work over these past seven years has paid off.
After purchasing the restaurant in 2004 and renovating the establish to its current bright, open and inviting ambiance they opened their doors and have been hard at work ever since, bringing delicious traditional Chinese/Canadian cuisine and exceptional customer service to their loyal customers.
Alvy, always friendly and very willing to accommodate their customer’s special diets makes her customers feel right at home – it’s no wonder they have such a loyal customer base. Their customer first approach also includes providing customers with an economical, quick and fresh lunch option.
Their take-out business is thriving too, providing customers with the same level of freshness, and friendly quick service.
Their diverse food offerings ensure that there’s something for everyone, regardless of food preferences.
Close this browser window/tab to return to the Nomination Voting form
2012 Nominee Bios / Overviews
Customer First Award
This award is for a customer service centered business, in operation in the Haliburton Highlands. This award recognizes exceptional performance resulting in quality service to customers and/or clients. This business would provide customers with choices in both sources of services and the means of delivery, making information, services and complaint systems easily accessible. An example of an exceptional performance may include compassion and caring that goes well beyond expectations for customer service. This award is open to every type of established business.
Haliburton Lumber & Enterprises Inc.
Haliburton Lumber & Enterprises Limited first opened its doors over 43 years ago. From its inception, the mission statement has been to serve the great residents and cottagers of Haliburton with good service and competitive prices.
Like the community it serves, Haliburton Lumber has evolved to include an extensive showroom, a diverse inventory and the latest trends in residential construction. Perhaps their biggest attribute is their cutting edge drafting centre that allows Haliburton Lumber to work with customers and make their dream home or cottage a reality. They take this privilege very seriously and are very proud when they can help a customer take an idea to design and then to fruition. Their greatest strength though is their staff! At the height of the busy season, Haliburton lumber employs over 40 people. The commitment and dedication their staff show to performance and service lends itself to repeat and referral business. It is patience and hard work that sets their staff apart – more than half of their staff have been a part of Haliburton Lumber for over 10 years and some have been there for over 20 years!
Haliburton Lumber openly gives back to the community throughout the year, recognizing that there are a great many people, organizations and charities that make up the fabric of this great community.
Highland Glass and Window
In 1983, Jim O’Connor moved to Haliburton with his young family to fill a void in the economy of the greater Haliburton region. Highland Glass and Windows began by doing small repairs and developed into a full service glass shop. Highland Glass and Windows provides consulting and broker services for complete window and door projects, from retro fit to custom-built homes and cottages, as well as commercial projects, hotels and resorts. Complete kitchen and cabinetry design services have also been added to their product roster, to meet the customers’ needs.
After operating out of various locations in the County, Highland Glass and Windows custom-built an eco-friendly showroom, in Haliburton’s Industrial Park. The 2,800 square foot building was built with insulated concrete forms and incorporates under-floor hot water heating and solar panels. All the products sold by Highland Glass and Windows surpass all energy-star ratings with the highest R-value available. Virgin woods, fibreglass and PVC are among the eco-friendly products sold.
Highland Glass and Windows employs approximately 8 people for at least 10 months of the year. Several employees have been with the company for more than 20 years. Even during the quiet winter months of January and February customer service is still a top priority. Through 29 years of business Highland Glass and Windows has maintained excellent customer service. From 24 hour on-call service for broken windows or doors, to the many meetings with clients to finalize design plans, Highland Glass and Windows provides individualized service. Highland Glass and Windows is dedicated to meet and surpass customers’ needs.
Parker Pad & Printing
In November of 2009 when Janis Parker, owner of Parker Pad & Printing Ltd., acquired County Commercial Printers in Haliburton, she started business with just two staff members – an administrative assistant and a graphic designer. In just two short years, staffing has tripled to six, to include an office manager, graphic designer, press operator, two sales representatives/project coordinators and a bindery person.
In order to properly accommodate their growth, the company relocated from Industrial Park Road to Mallard Road after the third month of operation. The current building, which at one point housed a car wash, was completely renovated and received upgraded equipment. After one-year in business, the building was further renovated with a 600-square-foot-addition to accommodate a Kodak NexPress (a digital high speed production colour press).
Parker Pad & Printing is proud to promote green-friendly practices: it’s accreditation from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and Bullfrog reflects this commitment.
The company’s quick growth demonstrates that Parker Pad & Printing has formed a laudable list of clients, and remains committed to serving their needs. Through this Haliburton Highlands-based operation, residents, cottagers and visitors can obtain quality print and design services locally.
Subway Restaurants – Haliburton & Minden
The Haliburton Highlands Subway Restaurants work hard at maintaining community relations and supporting local events and special fundraising initiatives – offering complimentary Subway sandwich platters to local schools, businesses, banks and municipal offices during the Christmas Holidays was just one of the many ways Subway showed appreciation to their customers this past year.
A strong supporter of the Hospital Foundation, Subway hosts a special ‘bogo’ sale (buy-one-get-one) annually and donates a portion of the sales to the foundation. They are also avid supporters of ‘cops for pediatric cancer’.
Subway is very committed to the many charitable organizations in the communities it serves and gives back through donations of food, money and coupons. Always seeking out better ways of serving the needs of its customers, the Subway ‘family’ goes the extra mile day after day.
WAI Products Limited
Picture yourself riding a rocket that needs constant refueling and tends to do the odd flip; that’s what the first year of WAI Products Ltd. felt like! While there were some challenges, there were also some significant accomplishments and successes. Owner Brandi Hewson believes that her success is rooted in clear determination, passion, and relationships, in combination with the selection of innovative products and making the right moves at the right time.
Some of WAI’s 2011 milestones have included: negotiations with multi-billion dollar companies securing distribution agreements as well as a market presence; nailing sales within 10% of forecasts; travelling over 40,000 km in 6 months to build their market; providing employment for the community; building a new corporate website in combination with a new ecommerce website; building a brand people associate with an ultimate level of customer service – gaining recognition in a 40 billion dollar industry!; building and moving into a new office to promote enhanced service to the local community and an expanded inventory.
WAI Products has definitely experienced a positive and satisfying first year in business! And in all of this, Hewson, still managed to fulfill her other roles as a mother, a wife, a friend, a daughter…. Brandi does not expect the next years to be easy; she didn’t become an entrepreneur to take the easy road. She embraces the road ahead and all the challenges it may bring. She finds great reward in knowing that she has built a little empire that will support her community and her family. Looking back Brandi has a sense of a solid foundation and moving forward – she’s strapped onto her little rocket and ready to take off!
Win Yeung Chinese Restaurant
Husband and wife team Alvy Tsang (Manager) and Alex Cao (Chef) own and operate Haliburton’s Win Yeung Chinese Restaurant. Immigrating to Canada 30 years ago, Alex honed his chef skills in Toronto, before purchasing their own restaurant in Haliburton. Together, they work tirelessly to ensure that their customers are satisfied and their hard work over these past seven years has paid off.
After purchasing the restaurant in 2004 and renovating the establish to its current bright, open and inviting ambiance they opened their doors and have been hard at work ever since, bringing delicious traditional Chinese/Canadian cuisine and exceptional customer service to their loyal customers.
Alvy, always friendly and very willing to accommodate their customer’s special diets makes her customers feel right at home – it’s no wonder they have such a loyal customer base. Their customer first approach also includes providing customers with an economical, quick and fresh lunch option.
Their take-out business is thriving too, providing customers with the same level of freshness, and friendly quick service.
Their diverse food offerings ensure that there’s something for everyone, regardless of food preferences.