“He said ‘here is a new product I am trying to promote in this country’,” Dyck explained. “I saw the merit in it and continued the conversation. It wasn’t until sometime late last year that he became open to the idea he would need some resources, both financial and business.”
The Findoor is a different concept, one created in Finland by the Jaara brothers in 1989 when they needed a new door for their truck stop. When they could not find one, they invented a different type, which has gone around the world in 30 years.
Dyck said the concept is one with many positives. For one, the doors have unbelievable heat efficiency. As they are really replacements for overhead doors, they do not depend on a thin bit of weather stripping to keep the cold out. Instead the Findoor, which is really a group of panels that open and close side to side, like big closet doors that close flush. As well, unlike an overhead door, which only gives about six inches of headroom, the Findoor has two feet. This is helpful in all ways, particularly when operating large equipment. It means one does not have to build a taller building just to have more space.
The safety aspect is important. Any overhead door has a certain risk if something goes wrong, and there are always regulations for them. As the doors open up to the sides, the hardware will not fall on your head.
The doors have no chains, springs, and bulky rails. They will not freeze, rust or get stuck. Fewer moving parts mean less to go wrong.
“Maintenance is a huge aspect of an overhead door. These are virtually maintenance free.”
The doors have a host of uses – from machine sheds to auto dealerships, fire stations and more. They are made up of different panels, the number of them based on different sizes. They can have windows, on multiple levels.
“There are different doors for different uses,” Dyck said.
In the end, Dyck and Hicks purchased shares in the Findoor company. Although owned separately from Goodon’s, Goodon’s will be the dealer for the doors in the area.
However, this is not just about selling the doors. They will also be making them. The first Findoor plant in Canada, which the Goodon owners have an interest in, will soon be opening up in the Calgary area.
However, there is a much bigger need for the doors, so a second plant will be put up in Boissevain.
“There is such a demand for the doors, it has already put that plant to capacity. The need for a second plant is obvious.”
“We’re excited about the location of this plant for several reasons. We place a high value on the lifestyle a small town offers,” Dyck said.
“From a business standpoint, we place a high value on the fact we have a 24-hour port, as a lot of our product goes south of the border. We’re very excited about giving more opportunity to the local area. Hopefully this will attract more people to the area.”
The manufacturing plant will employ 10-12 people initially for one shift, with an increase if they move to more. They are hoping the plant will put out 5,000 square feet of doors, or the equivalent of 20 16ft. by 16ft. doors per day.
They have purchased two lots from Jim Fluker at the industrial park south of Boissevain. They are hoping to have the building for the Findoor plant constructed by fall, with the equipment in over the winter.
They would like to start production in the early spring of 2020. They want the structure to be a model for others who would be interested in getting a Findoor franchise.
Dyck said the area they are looking to service from Boissevain includes Manitoba, eastern Saskatchewan, Ontario, and into North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin. They are not sure yet whether they will ship with their own fleet or contract it out.
Overall, Dyck sees this as a great opportunity for the partners as well as the community.
“The benefits are more employment as a result of this business,” he stated, “and the spin-offs are huge. We are excited about what this opportunity is for the community. It will not only be an economic benefit. I believe the more people that come here, the more they bring their passions and talents to enhance the community.”
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff