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Growing a Sustainable BusinessEcology, People Practices and Corporate Social Responsibility
In a tight labour market and uncertain economy, a Canadian company is demonstrating that a business based on sound sustainability practices can thrive.
Kevin Halliday is developing a business for the long term in the Canadian manufacturing sector. He’d be the first to tell you he’s in it to make money, but this is business with a higher purpose. As the Zen master says, “Profits happen when you do everything else right,” and that everything else includes the way you treat your people and the environment. Stairway to a Sustainable FutureHalliday is the owner of Spindle, Stairs & Railings, a manufacturer and installer of staircases and mouldings. At a presentation in Calgary, he informs the audience that if the business is going to grow, it will have to be based on sustainable practices. Halliday made his first sale in a Home Depot parking lot. That was in 1999. In the interim, the company has been nominated for, and won several awards for its enterprise growth. The firm is operating in a tight labour market; finding and retaining qualified manufacturing staff is difficult. Halliday also has to ensure stocks of first-quality materials at a time when sources are diminishing. These challenges have led Halliday to embrace a variety of sustainable practices. Workforce Training and Entrepreneurial DevelopmentSpindle, Stairs & Railings offers on-the-job training in every aspect of the business, from milling the wood to sales in the showroom. Halliday even provides training in entrepreneurial skills, so that workers can eventually establish their own contracting firms, buying their materials from his company. It’s a way to develop highly-skilled workers and win their loyalty. Employees are financially rewarded as well, the most skilful and productive earning incomes that rival corporate executive compensation. Planting Trees and People PracticesTo ensure the best quality lumber for the future, Halliday’s firm recently established its own forest products division. This includes planting new forests of hardwood trees in Ontario; they’ll take 50 years to grow, but the owner thinks long-term. Spindle, Stairs & Railings is the only stair manufacturer in Canada that produces and supplies its own wood in addition to custom milling, manufacturing and installing. On the subject of what makes his business successful, Halliday offers, “I’ve always said that I hire people that are better than me because they make me look good. Some people laugh at that, but it really is true. Everyone wants to do a good job. So, what I do is motivate and bring the best out in people... give them the ability and training they need to be the best.” Ecology, Social Responsibility and Sound Business DevelopmentHalliday credits his staff for creating a sound business foundation that enables the company to be a responsible corporate citizen. “We've built a great business, one that everyone here can be proud of, and as a result we have the resources to give back to the community. One example of this is that we have entered into a 10-year agreement with the Trico Centre for Family Wellness (formerly Family Leisure Centre) to sponsor their ice rink; this benefits Calgary's children in minor hockey and figure skating and wouldn't have been possible without having great people behind the Spindle, Stairs & Railings name." By paying attention to the environment, and contributing to employee wellbeing and the broader community, Spindle, Stairs and Railings has created a benchmark for sustainable development in its industry. The business is thriving, thanks to the owner’s far-sighted perspective and a great product. Halliday is demonstrating that sustainability principles are as sound a foundation for building and growing a business as any other, and they ensure your business is in it for the long run.
The copyright of the article Growing a Sustainable Business in Green Business Practices is owned by Andree Iffrig. Permission to republish Growing a Sustainable Business in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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