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Photo by GRAHAM PAINE tA prize you can reÇally warm up to Beachcomber Hot Tubs owner Peter Draper (leai) and Bergaea Home Décor owner Jeif Bergema congratulate fireplace winner Linda Pickard. Ms Plckard won the fireplace ln a draw recently hosted by the two local bus!- nesses. Learn about international exporting Halton Region's Business Development Centre is set ta offer a spring program designed ta encourage area businesses 10 export their products and services ta inter- national marketa. Launcbed in partnersbip witb Ontarso Expots Ic., Halton Region International will begin witb an export fair April 22 fromn 8 arn. ta 12:30 p.m. Held at tse Halton Regional Centre Auditorium, 1151 Bronte Rd., in Oakville, Use event costa $30 per person and will include a number of representatives high- ligbting Use benefita of selling on a global stage. From Usere, an export training programn will run May 5, Il and 18 at a cost of $300 per company. Lirnited ta 20 comparues, Use series of three four-bour serninars is suited ta busi- nesses wiUs little ta no exporting experi- ence, or businesses currently exporting ta Use United States only. For more information on either campa- nient of Use Halton Region International program, cail (905) 825-6000, or visit www.haltonbusiness.com. ~Area businesses share expertise and knowledge By JASON MISNER The Champion Saifu Mawji says he's conssantly looking ta, better bis local comn- pany, Thru-Way Tratlers. For 35 years - Use last five in Milton on Market Drive - Thru- Way, comprised of between 40 and 50 employees, bas been mari- ufacturing specialized/customized traiter beds for trucks ta haul heavy materials like bricks and steel. "We're always interested in being world-class," said Mr. Mawji, the company's president. "We want ta be Use best in the world in trailer manufacturing." Tbis desire ta improve bis business drove him Io attend a brief- ing beld by an association called thie Excellence in Manufactunsg Consortium (EMC) at Hugb Foster Hall Wednesday. Antended by rune businesses, the briefing was organized by the Town of Milton. The EMC. designed to sbare information, bas mnore than 550 manufacturers in more than 100 communities in Ontario, itscluding Burlington, as well as in New Brunswick. EMC president and general manager AI Diggins said in an inter- view the association wiIl hold its first officiai meeting May 5. Two comparies bave agreed ta join. He invited masufacturers Io corue sec wbat tbey tbink. "Comne on out and give it a taste," Mr. Diggins said. "We're not out to0 selI anytbing." In bis slide presentation, bie told businesses that the EMC con- cept sprouted wben, tbrougb bis business dealigs, bie discovered tbat Midland, witb a population of 12,000, bad 18 manufacturers and only two of them knew eacb otber. Eventually, Use EMC grew and bas created more regians along Use way. Each region bas a unique EMC ta address Use different issues Usas exist in eacb one. "Eacb comrnunity bas its own per- sanality," Mr. Diggins told Use briefing. Wben a member bas a question or problem ta, salve, it calIs a field service advisor wbo contacts Use rigbt member for Use appro- priate belp. Developing trust, Mr. Diggins said, is a key factor arnong EMC members offering ta assist eacb oUser. Andrew Siltala, Milton's econamie development officer, said bie learned about EMC and Usought it would benefit manufacturers in town ta bear about its work. He estinsates about 30 per cent of industries in Milton are manufacturers, secouniting for the greatest pereentage of Use tawn's warkfaree. Mn. Mawji said EMC could prove belpful. For example, lie said Thru-Way buys screws designed ta drill inta trailer floors made of wood from a local company. Perbaps Usas company will bave information about a particular kind of wood Tbru-way might be able ta use wben it canstruets ita tradera. For mare information, cail Use Town at (905) 878-7211 or visit www.excellence-in-manufacturing.org. Jason Misner con be reached or jmisner@miltoncanadian- champion .com. Who Does It.,. COPUE SOLTIOS 'Simple computer igolaitioM ('900) Sal Reahi- Sppot -Nètwodclng -Deiwvry New & tlsed Computera Ossite gerwice & sqpor Ne work for Home & Baine gb<Slnplng gor comnputerhbotjng experlenca For Great deaIk go to wa'oalrplecomnputeenc emnal aimsrpecorapotereca AkMUn 9L S. Unit a. ,IOlton Phof& ("o) 870-a814 Fux 1)M ,870 a&~fn là 9w1ill*:Àr fPet Sitting .Services la-Hom Pet SittinI DMee Walklug *Pet Taxi Servrice <Local) Gale Bock Servinc Miftas and CamDbelvile (905) 876-4304 www.ruftnoe.n.com Professýona It g grtoDmiing by Mairia Tefl: 905 875-Tafl] (8245) r