weekender februajvjm41987 p19 lighter factory grabs big market share by chris shanahan staff reporter tokai of canada limited has blazed an upward path in cana das disposable lighter market since opening just two vears ago in 1986 alone the uxbridge- area company captured an addi tional 10 per cent of sales within the field boosting its total share to somewhere around the 30 per cent level bic had virtually cornered the market in throwaway butane lighters until tokai arrived on the scene in february of 1985 our presence is much more felt in the canadian market than when we first opened according to gordon willson tokai of cana das manager of personnel and general administration obviously weve been felt this past year ten per cent is a big increase the factory located on the townline durham region rd 30 between uxbridge township and whitchurchstouffville is owned by japanesebased tokai cor poration two modular production lines work aroundtheclock six days a week to produce a monthly total of 23 million flintwheel mechanism lighters while most of the product finds its way into the canadian market place some is shipped to the us and japan and millions of units of uxbridgeproduced overstock were recently sold to a buyer from saudi arabia newlymarketed electronic lighters different from the stan dard flintwheel type are brought in from japan and repackaged at uxbridge for distribution in canada machineintensive the highlyautomated natureof tokais manufacturing equip ment keeps the plants employ ment requirements relatively low its workforce has gradually grown to 50 most of which is drawn from the surrounding com munities of uxbridge stouffville and markham as well a sales staff is now in place canadawide tokai which also controls office productmaker scripto owns an additional 122 acres of land directly to the east of the ex isting factory site in some manner we expect that property will be used for one of the two product lines either tokai or scripto mr willson said of possible expansion he noted that the company sells but doesnt manufacture scripto mer chandise at present future plans include the in- house production of lighters with printed advertising promoting both large corporations and small businesses an endeavor that may eventually increase staffing by as much as 15 per cent doing its part as a responsible corporate citizen the company has sponsored an uxbridge sports team and supports a variety of charitable causes tokai of japan is a diversified multinational which has large- scale business interests in coun tries throughout the world its most recent international untcr- taking is a branch plant develop ment in mexico window fashion for a limited time only levolor 0ff all products weil come to your home at your convenience with free decorator consultation professionally measured no obligation quotation drapery venetians verticals ill iiiiillilll t t quality sheers designer fabric in store stock 1 mini venetian blinds tergal poly linen poly silk poly cotton boucle antique satin48 0penweave48 cotton chintzes- country prints54 moires48 d s s s 18 width height 18x45 20x45 22x45 23x45 27x45 31x45 33x45 36x45 ihpoo s 14 15 w s 24 wioth helgh 38x45 40x45 44x45 48x45 54x45 60x45 72x45 white s ivory only sal i 5 29 31 s 47 russian balloons romans austrians i 011 so ft labour r roller shades 1 i 100sun0utj 37 43 49 55 64 73 plain hem 22 27 35 43 54 58 frnge hem 27 35 43 50 62 69 all shades 70 length oniy 1 2 gauge 3 ply vinyl 85 energy efficient aluminum insulating centre 100 room darkening hame resistant non curl non tear washable colours white ivory champagne custommade vertical blinds purchase any custommade vertical blind at 50 off and receive a free matching valance exampif mmi upto 72x84 fabric 84x84 j instore stock patio door vertical blinds fabric pvc vinyl 72x84 sqqoo gq00 valance inc 85x84 valance inc free shop at home service brampton 4527755 division of scarborough window shades ltd scarborough markham pickering 2918538 2949513 8313412 visa ajax 6862200 rr imain i 8 nsoucun s i woooisctq homtfiuu ncm 1 ij nn4ii mntwnlmi0mtt 1 inmukroasr irausart hwtl immstrhl i i 1 htmii