WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1982, PAGE 11 82 IN REVIEW Industry shows solid and steady growth m 1982 The past year saw 17 industries either relo- cate, expand, or newly locate in the town of Whitby. This number is impressive, considering the adverse economic conditions of the past year. Despite high interest rates and double digit inflation, Whitby main- tained a solid growth pattern in the industrial sector. Many factors contri- bute to Whitby's indus- trial growth and attrac- tiveness, among them the proximity to large consumer markets, the availability of trans- portation routes, com- parably low industrial land costs, an already healthy industrial sec- tor, and strong promo' tion of the town by politicians, business- men and industrialists. Approximately 230 new jobs were created in the industrial sector as a result of expansion and relocation in 1982. Highlights of the in- dustrial year include the purchase of a 39-acre site on Thickson Road by Sony of Canada Limited, and the open- ing of a new plant on Wentworth Street by American Can Canada Limited. Both buildings cost more than $2 mil- lion to construct, and will provide continued employment opportuni- ties in the town. The Liquor Control Board of Ontario is com- pleting a huge distribu- tion warehouse on Boun- dary Road in Whitby at an estimated value of $81,000. By mid-1984, a minimum of 75 per cent of all LCBO locations in Ontario will be serviced by the Whitby outlet. A $480,000 industrial building was construct- ed by Rider Tool and Manufacturing Com- pany Limited on Vic- toria Street in Whitby. The plant is a heavy ma- chine and fabricating operation. Companies that ex- panded their operations in 1982 include Dupont of Canada, Whitby Auto Wreckers, Andrew An- tenna Limited and Loc- Pipe Industries. Dupont's $2.2 million expansion will create between 10 and 12 per- manent jobs in the manufacture of plastic packaging for food and meat. Dupont's move into this area represents the first North Ameri- can production of the material. Several industries re- located their operations this year, indicating that these industries are- healthy and will con- tinue to provide much needed jobs. Douglas Steel Limited moved to a bigger location on Hopkins Street in Whitby, and Duramold Limited now occupies a 30,000 square foot building on Crown Court. Duramold is planning to increase their operations by 66 per cent in the near future. It is a tribute to the town and its people that Whitby continues to grow in a period of economic slow-down across the country. It has been a stated goal of town council to actively promote Whitby as a place where "We mean business". Town fathers have completed comprehen- sive studies of our in- dustrial potential, and are tapping internation- al markets for Whitby industries. The dedication to in- crease Whitby's attrac- tiveness on the part of the town has, and will continue, to provide much needed tax revenue and jobs for Whitby residents. The outlook for 1983 is an optimistic one. With the hope of an improved economy and continued expansion in Whitby, the industrial future should be bright. DANFORTH TYPEWRITER RENTALS Electric typewriter s00.00 for 3 rnonths Manual typewriter *0w.0 for 6 months (Latest models - maintenance Included - short & Icng term) Available Service& Repairs 408 Dundas :.me West 2940 Danforth Ave. Whitby Toronto 666-1-131 est. 1930 698-2589 Business braves econome storm By HOWARD SMITH President Whitby Chamber of Commerce This past year was another year of reces- sion. The Whitby busi- ness community felt the effects of the economy just as much as the rest of Canada, and indeed the rest of the world. Discussions with local businesses of all sizes indicate that everyone has experienced the same kind of problems. There has been down- ward pressure on prices and volumes. This pres- sure carried over from 1981 and has only begun to improve in the last month or two. The buying public have been nervous about the economy and as a result have been saving their spare funds just in casel When they did buy they were very cost conscious. Retailers slowed down their purchases to match the drop in sales, but also to reduce inven- tories to minimum levels because of the in- terest costs on in- ventory financing. Manufacturers have done the same thing. Unemployment has increased as businesses reduce staff because of lower volumes of sales. Credit has been tighten- ed up to improve the cash flow again with a view to reducing inter- est costs. The banking community has become much more cautious with their business loans. There has been some light cast onto this dark picture in the last month or so. The Government of Canada paid out a lot of cash in interest and redemptions at the end of October on last year's issue. Interest rates are fall- ing to a more comfort- able level. A little more optimism is beginning to show. But unfortu- nately unemployment will probably remain high because the recov- ery probably will not really start until some time in 1983. We in Whitby have been fortu- nate in that we have had no major bankruptcies. Locally, 1982 brought with it some good news. Many . new industries have decided to locate in Whitby during the year. This will improve em- ployment opportunities. Our collective congratu- lations to the Mayor, the Council and the Town Staff for their efforts. They are also to be congratulated for their foresight in building a lovely Information Cen- tre which is impressive to all visitors be they tourists or business peo- ple looking at our Town. Port Whitby develop- ment is underway and this project will add some new life and en- thusiasm. And the ex- tension of the GO-train will have some positive repercussions in the next few years. The community spirit is alive and well. One need only have watched the Santa Claus parade to see how many people participated in prepar- ing for it and how many people were lining the -parade route to watch. That community spirit is what the Town is sell- ing to prospective busi- ness. And that same spirit will enable us to 'tough it out' so we can all enjoy a happy and prosperous 1983. 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