PAGE 8, WIIITY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26,1990 wh*ae $busines Developing sound supplier relationships EDMUND PATY, president of the new Durham chapter of the Capie-Canadian Association of Production. and Inventory. Control (CAPIC), receives the group's charter fr-om Christine Kor- teweg, vice president of administration for region 8 of the American Production and Inventory Control Society, parent organization of CAPIC. Chamber accepting nominations for business awards The search is on ta frnd Whitby's Business Person of the Year and Good Corporate Citizen of the Year. Nominations for bath awards, sponsored by the Whitby Cham- be fCmmerce, will be accep- ted up ta, 4 p.m. on Oct. 16. The annual awards will be 9presented Oct. 23 during the SmaIl Business Week dinner. The dinner will be held in the Regal room of the Centennial Building, 416 Centre St. S. at 6:30 p.m. Nominees for the Business Person of the Year must have made an outstanding contribu- tion to Whitby during 1989. They must have been working or doing business in Whitby dur- ing the year and be successful in their occuatoS. Last =er' winner was veterinarian Dr. Clayton MacKay. Previous winners were William *Little, Nigel Schilling and Robert Heron. .The award has been presented annually since 1979. The Good Corporate Citizen award is presented to a cor- poration that has demonstrated its community involvement by making a contribution to the town and its residents. Last year's winner was the Miracle Food Mart at 601 Dun- das St. W. The store was involved with the United Way camp aign, the Hospital for Sick Children, the Salvation Army, local churches and the Whitby Psychiatric Hos- pital. The store also helped promote a special needs programn through the Durham Board of Education. Previous winners were Cullen Gardens and MeDonald's Res- taurant. For further information cal the chamber office at 668-4506. Developing a sound supplier base is a crucial ingredient in the success of every smail business. "Usually, small businesses are operating with limited resources," says Peggy Doe, Manager of York Consulting Group, a firm that is affiliated with York University's Entrepreneurial Studies prc-gram which specializes in advising both smnall businesses and entre- preneurs. "So, it's vital that they create a supplier network that will provide them with the iright type. and quality of goods at the right pricq and ai. the time they are needed." SA business should begin its supplier, search by first articulating its own needs. For instance, it's a good idea to have written definitions and specifications. of gooda you'Il be requesting from suppliers. You should also have information about the delivery requirements youil be expecting a supplier ta meet. With these facts at your fingertips, it's time ta go shopping. And, while you can choose a 'department store,' experience dictates that the smaller company has greater opportunity at a 'boutique.' Says Doe: "What you want is a supplier who is flexible enough ta take the time ta learn about and understand your needs. Often it's the case that a very large corporation will not consider it worthwhile ta meet specifie demands of small companies. However, other' small and medium-sized' comparues are often more eager ta eamn your business and more willing to go the extra mile." The answers a prospective supplier gives to a predetermined list of questions will help you assess whether or not the makings of a good relationship exist. For example, are the vendors willing ta -take the' time ta understand your business? Are they willing ta adapt their methods' ta meet your requirements? What kind of quality control systems do' they have in'place? What's their record on quality control? Can they meet your delivery tinetable and price estimâftes? Will they be there on an ongoing, basis ta discuss problems -- and correct them? You'il also want ta determine the. financial health of- any omany with, which youl be doing business. Is the supplier going ta be around ta serve you one year from now? Five years from now? Don't forget the personal element when you're making a choice. "It's very important that you feel like you are able ta communicate openly with your suppliers,"ý says Doe. "You want people who are not only going to respond ta your initial needs but also who will react as your needs change."1 Paul Parise, quality control supervisor at Weston, Ontario-based, Jaws Ladder Manufacturing Inc., a- specialty ladder manufacturing company that was developed and founded by his father, Otavio Parise, knows the value of developing a solid supplier base first-hand. 'When we opened our doors fiev years ago, we began looking for an alurninum extrusion supplier that would give us the qualirof metal we need," he recais. We> demanded high standards not only because we make a quality product but also because our custom-made. machinery rejects material that is even slightly off in terms of .talerancA and hardness. In our case, goods from a supplier with poor quality control: would cause a shutdown ini production." .After 'unsucoessfully canvass- ing several large manufacturers, Parise eventually took bis list of wants ta Extrudex Aluminum Ltd., a small, local manufacturer that was more than willing ta meet Jaws' special needs. "From the beginning they've worked with us," says Parise. "They've conducted tests and otherwise altered their manufacturing procAs lta, give us what we want. What's more, they deliver on time and are always there ta discusé any new problems. Best *of ai, they giveý us goods and ,are acceptable 95 per cent of thé timeé -- a figure that's about ý20 per cent above the industry average." "And this Is Ted. He's in charge of aur quality contrai. Sharp as a teck!" 'Upseale,t resale'ý boutique open s, in. dow ntown By Greg MacNeil Co-owner Eve Heaver describes the Wardrobe Exchange as a "resale boutique" of women'is and children's clothing. Heaver, along with partner Joan Milburn, opened downtawn Whitby's newest business Sept. 14 at 113 Dundas St. W. Over the past few weeks, Heaver and Milburn have been busy organizing and pricing clothing brought in by the public. The response ta, their ada and by word of mouth was "more than we expected," according ta, Heaver. Generally, clothing found at the Wardrobe Exchange can be described as "upscale," ranging from designer fashions ta, more "mniddle-of-the-road" styles. Heaver says they will only accept clotliing that is in good condition and lias been freshly laundered, adding "W're very selective in what we take in." The vast majority of the items in the stare look brand new. Heaver says many people who bring in lotbing admit tao nly wearing it a few times.M In addition ta clothing for womnen and children, Heaver says they also handie items like handbags, scarfs and costume jewelry. Bath Heaver and Milburn have background in the fashion business in their native Britain. They've also seen the popularity these types o! stares have enJoyed in Britain and in Western Europe, prompting them ta open .......... ---- the Wardrobe Exchange back home in Whitby. 4 "Vie thouglit this would bo the Y most appropriate thing ta do" f says Heaver. Having lived in Wbitby for over 30 years, Heaver lias watched the tawn grow. The U downtown area was specifically chosen for the Wardrobe Exchange. "We have a lot o! confidence in downtown Whitby," assures Heaver. Vihile opening any business is a major undertaking, Heaver says their experience lias been a DB FLP(ide fteW ib fteWrrb xhne e tr rewarding one, largely because o!f E II mdl>o h hty o!teWrrb xhne e tr the support received from the Chamber of Commerce bids welcome* dowto Whitby Cliamber o! Conmmerce. to Eve Heaver (left)and Joan Milburn, [YOUR BUSINESS