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r I Electriclty is taken for granted by most people, these days, whenever that switch 18 bit, 'the ligbt goes on. -Providlng that power bas been the respon- slblity of the Whitby Hydro-Electrie Com- mission since 1912. commission was given the sole responsibillty of looking after the com- munity's supply of elec- tricity. Not only does the commission boast rates amongest the lowest to be found in Ontario, it Working closely witb Wbitby Town Council, the H.E.C. as it 15 known, 18 continually upgrading and expan- ding its system using the most up-to-date and energy efficient produc- ts available on today's market. The H.E.C.'s Taunton Rd. service centre Originally it was called tbe Public Utilities Commission and was also, -in those early days, responsible for the installation and maintenance -of the town's water and sewer systemn as well. With the formation of tbe Region of Durham in 1974, tbe o perates over an area of 50 square miles with literally hundreds of miles of overhead wires to serve over 12,000 customers. Yet, this service is provided by only 29 employees. That is one of the lowest customer to staff rations in the province. The utility also provides a. great many customer services in- cluding: conservation advise, energy audits for homeowners, business and industry that provide practical, information and advise on bow to reduce energy costs, reviews of borne beating options, promotional programs, offers incentives to customers to reduce their need for borne beating oil, and is active in the community througb clinfcs ,and displays. The commission has also grown with tbe town. The number of customners as well as their peak load bas more - than doubled in tbe last 14 years. Sub- station capacity has more than tripled in tbe last decade alone. To meet these needs, the commission opened a new service centre on Taunton Rd. lait year. This facility has enabled the utility t~o centralize its outeide work forces as well as provide warehouse space for its transformers, poles, wire and spare parts providing an even more efficient operation. WHITBY HYDRO IF Back Row (from Ieft): Dr. John- McKlnney, Com- missioner; Rex Hopkins, Secretary-Treasurer; B. Thompson May, JIr., General Manager ýand Albert Randali, Com- missioner. Front row (from Ieft): Mayor Robert Atter- sley,' Commissioner; Gerald Cox, Chairman and Robert .Cawker, .Com- m issioner. WORKING TO SERVE THE COMMUN ITY -I Forging the brassa at Lofthouse Anything of brass Lofthouse can make Altbough it is tbe third largest company of its kind in Canada, Lof- thouse Brass Manufac- turing Co. Ltd. bas always kept a fairly low profile in the town. Tbe Company is in- volved in everything from making parts for a -brass bed to parts for sensitive defense work for the United States government. The company was founded in 1957 by president George Lof- thouse and bis Hopkins St. facility currently ernploys some 75 people. Lofthouse Brass specializes in tbe manufacture of brass forgmng most of which are designed by com- pany experts and produced by machinery tbat the company designed and built itself. Although not their largest customer, Lof- thouse produces knobs for Victorian Brass Beds Ltd. of Scar- borougb. According to Lof- tbouse, the company 's biggest job is tbe manufacturing of parts for block heaters used in automobiles. This work alone represents, $1 million of tbe com- pany's annual revenue. Tbey are also a big supplier to the gas trade producing flare nuts and other parts for their machinery. Loftbouse Brass also designed and manufactured a brass connector for fire hoses. In fact, the company is still making the first part that was ordered from them and Lof- thouse estimates that 200,000 pieces have been made from the original forging die wbich has only seen minor repairs. The 20,000 square foot plant features 200-ton presses which are capable of producing brass parts weighing as little as five ounces and as heavy as five pounds. Lofthouse is also a leadér ,in fitdlng ap- plications for brass in microwave technology and he bas written several articles on the subject. The company produces "flanges" which are used as con- nectors in the industry. The strength, macbinability and high conductivity of brass make it a valuable metal in microwave technology. George Lofthouse's background is tool and die making and he tur- ned his trade into one of only three brass forgers in Canada. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Canadian Copper and Brass Development Association. He was also '*named Whitby's outstanding citizen as the 1980 recipient of the Peter Perry Award. For Loftbouse Brass, the future looks brigbt and it wil continue to be a vital part of Wbitby economy for years to conie. "PROGRESS EDITION" WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1984, PAGE.5 Whi*tby H.E.C. has been providin electriiysne11 ELECTRIC COM-MISSION 128 BROCK STREET SOUTH, WHITBY M QUAUITY COMPONENTS for CANAIAN INDUSTRIES LOPTHOUSE BRAS MiaAUPBlCTURiflG TD 3110 Hopkins St., Whitby M -77777-f7-77 7-17- -7 Aý