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Made in Waterloo Region
#1
An article in yesterday's Record about a local mattress manufacturer made me think, yet again, about the wide range of products that are still manufactured in the Region.   In some cases, it comes as a surprise to learn that these products are locally produced.  This thread can be used to highlight these manufacturers and, perhaps, to guide shopping decisions for those who like to "buy local".

The Record article about Waterloo Mattress Company, also makes mention of a second Waterloo company, Beam Bedding, that makes mattresses.

Mattress firm rests on local quality

Waterloo Region Record
By Rose Simone
WATERLOO — When Waterloo Bedding, a former century-old mattress manufacturer, was shut down in 2010, eight years after it was acquired by an American company it was another blow to the local manufacturing base.
But by then, Nick Ciulei, who had been a plant manager had started his own mattress-making business, Waterloo Mattress, and was determined to keep the tradition of making mattresses alive.
For him, the shutdown was an opportunity to get great talent.
"They left behind some very good local people and our biggest asset is the people we have here," Ciulei says.
Waterloo Mattress is now a growing small manufacturer that is celebrating its 10th anniversary. It employs between 12 to 14 people on a regular basis and sometimes as many as 20 in busy seasons. It has a showroom and factory at 136 Dearborn Pl. in Waterloo. ...  http://www.therecord.com/news-story/5733...l-quality/

http://www.waterloomattress.com/

http://www.beambedding.ca/en/
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#2
Another one: Meet the Canadian Rangers’ new Sako rifle, built to defend against large carnivores, extreme temperatures 
Quote:The replacement rifle is based on the SAKO T3 CTR (Compact Tactical Rifle). SAKO Ltd is based in Riihimaki, Finland. The Canadian supplier is Stoeger Canada from Whitby, Ontario. Colt Canada will produce the barrel, bolt and receiver under licence from Sako.

Colt Canada is also known as Diemaco and is located on Wilson Ave in Kitchener. 
Large carnivores are also known as polar bears. 
Extreme temperartures are also known as +39C and -51C.
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#3
(07-16-2015, 11:52 AM)ookpik Wrote: Another one: Meet the Canadian Rangers’ new Sako rifle, built to defend against large carnivores, extreme temperatures 


Quote:The replacement rifle is based on the SAKO T3 CTR (Compact Tactical Rifle). SAKO Ltd is based in Riihimaki, Finland. The Canadian supplier is Stoeger Canada from Whitby, Ontario. Colt Canada will produce the barrel, bolt and receiver under licence from Sako.

Colt Canada is also known as Diemaco and is located on Wilson Ave in Kitchener. 
Large carnivores are also known as polar bears. 
Extreme temperartures are also known as +39C and -51C.

Colt was actually one of the companies I had in mind in creating this thread.  In this particular case, however, it's not a problem if it's not used to guide WRC member purchasing decisions.  Wink

http://www.coltcanada.com/diemaco-products.html
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#4
I don't know. Maybe the Region should start a local defence force. (kidding). Smile
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#5
(07-16-2015, 12:35 PM)Elmira Guy Wrote: I don't know. Maybe the Region should start a local defence force. (kidding). Smile

Well, if that local defence force had a dog for a mascot, they could feed it NUTRAM from Nutram Pet Products (a division of Elmira Pet Products)!

http://www.nutram.com/
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#6
They could also treat that dog to a "Bullwrinkle" from Eurocan Pet Products in New Hamburg.  http://www.eurocanpetproducts.com/

(If your aren't familiar with "Bullwrinkles", I recommend this article  http://www.therecord.com/news-story/5614...ogs-happy/    )   Smile
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#7
Panamaniac- what a great idea for a thread. If anyone had asked me, I would have had to guess that all mattresses available in Canada were imports. Now I know better!
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#8
(07-16-2015, 01:06 PM)MidTowner Wrote: Panamaniac- what a great idea for a thread. If anyone had asked me, I would have had to guess that all mattresses available in Canada were imports. Now I know better!

Nope. I bought my memory foam mattress from a niche company in Laval that makes them in-house (myessentia.com). Niche manufacturing can definitely work for local suppliers. since they're not competing in the same market as China, where it's hard to win on price. Also, I think, things that need a lot of customization. Not sure about generic mass-market manufacturing. That seems hard.
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#9
(07-16-2015, 12:35 PM)Elmira Guy Wrote: I don't know. Maybe the Region should start a local defence force. (kidding). Smile

Or maybe equip our Kitchener Rangers with the same gear as the Canadian Rangers (also kidding.)
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#10
(07-16-2015, 01:14 PM)plam Wrote:
(07-16-2015, 01:06 PM)MidTowner Wrote: Panamaniac- what a great idea for a thread. If anyone had asked me, I would have had to guess that all mattresses available in Canada were imports. Now I know better!

Nope. I bought my memory foam mattress from a niche company in Laval that makes them in-house (myessentia.com). Niche manufacturing can definitely work for local suppliers. since they're not competing in the same market as China, where it's hard to win on price. Also, I think, things that need a lot of customization. Not sure about generic mass-market manufacturing. That seems hard.

I think I read somewhere once that it is economically viable to manufacture mattresses close to where they will be sold.  That would totally make sense for custom products, I should think.
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#11
(07-16-2015, 03:54 PM)panamaniac Wrote: I think I read somewhere once that it is economically viable to manufacture mattresses close to where they will be sold.  That would totally make sense for custom products, I should think.
As I understand it, and as suggested in the article, mattresses are large and heavy, thus relatively expensive to ship. That's why they tend to be made regionally if not locally. Customization further adds to the justification.
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#12
When I get pizza from Dominoes I note the dipping sauce says it is made in Kitchener. Does anyone know what company makes these?
_____________________________________
I used to be the mayor of sim city. I know what I am talking about.
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#13
Domino's Canadian Head Office is based out of Kitchener, so there is a chance it may be made in house.
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#14
(07-16-2015, 06:13 PM)ookpik Wrote:
(07-16-2015, 03:54 PM)panamaniac Wrote: I think I read somewhere once that it is economically viable to manufacture mattresses close to where they will be sold.  That would totally make sense for custom products, I should think.
As I understand it, and as suggested in the article, mattresses are large and heavy, thus relatively expensive to ship. That's why they tend to be made regionally if not locally. Customization further adds to the justification.

More large than heavy (ie not dense but voluminous).  And shipping those is relatively expensive.
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#15
Before we turn the page away from locally-made weapons of death, do people know that there's a company in Kitchener that manufactures crossbows?  Just in case you were looking for one!

Excalibur Crossbow on Shirley Dr in Kitchener.   http://excaliburcrossbow.org/
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