A long-time Minden-based manufacturer is leaving the County.
TekVest announced earlier this month it is leaving its premises on County Road 121 near Howland Junction for the Kitchener-Waterloo region.
Founder and former co-owner, as well as current shareholder, Steve Brand, said the move means laying off staff, which has ranged from six to 10 people depending on orders.
The property is now also up for sale.
TekVest makes protective wear (body armour) for the power sports community and have an international reputation as an industry leader. Steve Brand and co-owner Nancy Brand had manufactured in the Highlands since 2000, after starting the business in 1996. They sold to new owners three years ago.
They announced the relocation Aug. 14.
“Thank you for a great 29-year run thus far. Part of this transition means that our Minden plant will be closing and the building is now for sale,” the two said.
Brand said it’s been tough going due to a variety of reasons, including mild winters (as they make equipment for snowmobilers), difficulty finding local workers, and today’s tariffs.
“It is difficult being a manufacturer in Ontario, let alone in Haliburton County. The new owner decided to move the operation to his hometown in Kitchener. He’s going to rebuild a team down there,” Brand told The Highlander Aug. 21.
He said “few people want to work in this trade here,” adding the business’ youngest sewer is more than 50 years old. He added he had talked to Fleming College about making the plant a training site for textile cut and sew students but claims they were not interested. He added it could have been used for retraining adults in the textile industry. “You always need somebody to sew boat covers and trailer covers. That can’t be exported to China.”
He said in their time in Minden Hills, half a dozen people retired from the company. “They wanted to come to work. We had an interesting product with 90 per cent of sales to the U.S.”
However, he said with the trade war, the “market is stressed right now. All of our import costs are up as 90 per cent of our raw materials come from the States. We can’t make the numbers work.”
That said, the company will continue to manufacture from southwestern Ontario, where Brand said there is “access to more talent and staff.
“We have a world-class product that has a world-class reputation. We’ve saved lives. We’ve prevented serious injuries and, in 29 years now, not had one liability claim. Not one lawsuit.”
He is the listing agent for the property that he owns. He said it is already set up for a small manufacturing business; and a detached residence is permitted.
“Next year will be our 30th anniversary. We’re still in business. We’re just going through a hiccup with the global crisis, as are many businesses. There is a continued need for our products that have been in use for many years. Unfortunately. I’ve designed something that doesn’t wear out and we have very loyal customers.”
