Squamish Terminals Celebrates 35 years

Squamish Terminals celebrates 35 years of operation this year. It was timely to chat with Ron Anderson, CEO about the impact of this last bastion of big industry.

For those of us not in the know about the terminal, it handles a type of cargo that is referred to as “break bulk” meaning that it’s usually obtuse in nature and won’t fit in a container. Most of us have driven past other nearby ports and noticed stack upon stack of big metal containers waiting their turn for unloading. Squamish Terminals does not handle that kind of cargo and continues to focus to what Anderson calls “core business”.

A prime example of that core business is those giant steel tubes you see cruising through Squamish. Tractor trailer trucks are picking up pipeline made in Japan and taking them to a holding area in the Industrial park. From there they ride the rails and become part of a 1.4 billon dollar expansion of the Kinder Morgan Terasen gas pipeline project. That pipeline will expand capacity for crude oil export from Fort McMurray’s oil-sands. You will see those pipes until the end of 2008.

Squamish Terminals is a private port. Unlike Prince Rupert or the Port of Vancouver, they are not eligible for Provincial and Federal funding. However, Anderson is quite optimistic about the future of the terminal.

“I see the future as being very strong. I feel the port could be as busy as it wants to be.”

However, there are some challenges. Currently they have a collective agreement with International Longshore and Warehouse Union local 500 from Vancouver. This local staffs the port and draws a great deal of its skilled staff from the greater Vancouver area. At certain times of the year, when other ports are busy, Squamish Terminals faces a labour shortage. December is one of the times a year that is the most difficult.

The port employs about 230 workers during peak times. On an average day, you’ll find 110 staffers at the port. A small portion of those are local. Peak is defined as having both berths in the terminal unloading ships and the processing of rail cars at the same time.

“Being outside of a Port Authority creates other opportunities. [Tourism] is not our core business but if it looks like a fit, we’ll consider it. ” says Anderson.

Those opportunities may have an impact on the much touted savior of the Squamish economy; tourism. Last year Squamish Terminals hosted four pocket cruise ships. Each ship carried around 140 people. Anderson admits that a few larger cruise ship companies based in Seattle have inquired with him about docking at his facility.

“I see tremendous potential, nearby, that fits better for the cruise ships.”

He’s referring to the Nexan lands. His feeling is the cruising industry will never generate as much money as a freight ship will. If this industry wishes to partner with Squamish Terminals, they’d need to have enhanced security and separate access to transport passengers into Squamish. In other words, they are not really set up to do it.

Anderson expressed some concerns about the possibility of having residential development next door. He wants the Terminal to be a good neighbor.

“We don’t want another Vancouver Airport situation where the neighbors get upset. We run 24/7 and we need bright lights and heavy equipment to operate. Correct planning and buffer zones need to be in place.”

After 35 years in Squamish, it’s safe to say that Squamish Terminals has been a very good neighbor and economic engine for Squamish.


Around the water cooler

The Cash Store recently opened under Manager Nicole Vardy on Winnipeg Street. 815-4616

One Percent Realty adds Luis Ayala and Andre Zubko to the roster. Call 849-1100

Closing: Lotus Art Supply store and Basic Intimates clothing

Biz Exchange Increases Professionalism in Squamish

During the past 3 months, a small group of local business owners have been meeting before the sun rises. The seven a.m. time slot is the best time available for Squamish’s super busy business owners.

The Business Exchange group is presented by Community Futures Development Corporation. Fifteen non-competing business owners and managers from a cross-section of the community were accepted into the program. The group was conceived early in 2005 during a Squamish Chamber of Commerce workshop for business owners who completed surveys outlining what their key issues would be for in preparation for the Olympic boom. That information was reviewed by the Chamber and CFDC and the “Tooling up for 2010” series was born. This group is one component of a much larger program or workshops, presentations and seminars.

“Ron Trepanier from the Leadership and Management Development Council of B.C. deserves a lot of the credit for creating the structure for the program.” Says CFDC’s Nicole Carothers.

The group has some other advisors on hand who are volunteering their time. Sandeep Minhas from RBC is there to provide banking advice and Robin MacLeod in the capacity of Chartered Accountant. The rest of the group comes from a wide range from backgrounds including retail, coffee distribution, marketing services, high-end custom furniture and the trades.

The program is moderated by Dave Hubner. Although Hubner stands at the white board and keeps the discussions on topic, it’s the participants that are largely determining what they will work on.

Although the owners are very different, the issues that they face are the same. Human resources, accounting, finance headaches and creating effective marketing campaigns topped the list.

“I think I’ll get a better understanding of how to handle certain aspects of my business. Like most retailers I face staffing and inventory management issues and question the effectiveness of my marketing”. Says Valhalla Pures’ Murray Sovereign

Retailer Eric Armour from Trinity Romance jumped at the chance to join.

“I was interested in being with other business owners who might be dealing with similar issues. After the first three sessions, I found that I can put some of those back-burner issues in the spotlight. Being able to share with the group prevents me from making mistakes that others have made”.

Although the group is in its infancy, they have adopted a meeting format that includes a roundtable update from each business owner, presentation of work on action items from the previous session and occasionally a guest speaker. The two hour session wraps up with an in depth group dialogue with two owners ask for help on a specific subject. An online forum is also in the works.

Sea to Sky Ocean Sports owner Karen Yaremkewich saw a lot of value in the Business Exchange.

“ Once I saw who they selected, I could see that I’d get a lot of value from it. “
Yaremkewich feels that the group creates an accountability structure that has made her dust off the business plan she started and put plans in place to move it forward.

Perhaps Trinity’s Eric Armour sums it up best.

“This program is going to increase business professionalism in Squamish.”




Around the Water Cooler

Qube IT Services has opened in Squamish. Proprietor Patrick Franz provides IT and consulting services for home and businesses. Call 604-815-4427 www.qubeit.ca Servicing Squamish, Whistler and the North Shore.

SSC adds “personality” to Economic Development

In November, the Squamish Sustainability Corporation hired a new Business Development Lead. David Thomson comes to SSC from the BC lottery Corporation and has a penchant for marketing and branding.

He is definitely a people person. Dave grins ear to ear when asked about the key areas that he hopes to usher in new growth. Standing before an aerial view of Squamish he points to the Airport, Industrial Park and the Downtown.

The former commuter is understandably excited about leaving behind the drive to Richmond and feels he is just the start of a wave of workers that don’t have to leave Squamish to find well paying jobs.

“The District was looking to attach personality to Economic Development. Basically I’m a sales guy for Squamish.”

Until now, the district and now the SSC have been working behind the scenes to create infrastructure for Economic Development. In 2007, he’ll hit the ground running.

Any inquiry about moving a company, starting a business or demographic information will be handled by him from now on. He points to a stack of binders that contain economic viability studies, conducted by SSC, for several business sectors.

Prior to his hire, there was a tendency for requests for information to be stalled at City Hall says Thomson.

“Nobody really knew what to do with requests for information since the departure of the last EDO (Economic Development Officer). Now that we have the Adventure Centre, we can actually host delegations who want to invest in Squamish.”

A few weeks ago, Thomson entertained a group from Finland who was interested in finding out more about the construction methods and the laminated wood beams used to build the Adventure Centre.

“Love the Adventure Centre or not, it allows us to host groups like that. This building says Squamish is open for business!”

Thomspon sees nothing but positives coming to Squamish.

“Recently, a developer approached us and said: What do you feel that Squamish needs? “

He feels this is a new approach from a developer and is excited about the quality of entrepreneurship that he sees them exercising.

Thomson will focus mainly on three key areas during his tenure. Developing a knowledge based economy, light industrial and tourism.

“Squamish will get unprecedented access to the fibre optic line that Bell has installed.”

He feels that can be leveraged to entice companies that require massive amounts of data transmission. Chances are these companies will be located in the Industrial Park. The SSC is working with B.C Rail to perhaps re-zone their land to accommodate even more information technology growth.

With the imminent opening of Quest University and the pending expansion of Capilano College, it makes his goal of attracting higher paying, knowledge based jobs to Squamish much easier.

The recently launched Tourism Squamish web site (http://www.tourismsquamish.com/) is handled by other people in his department.

“It’s the first step toward Squamish creating a Destination Management Organization (or DMO in industry speak). I know they have big plans for that web site. “

Thomson feels that Squamish needs to attract “more multi faceted” people to move here and start businesses. Perhaps hiring him is an important first step to realizing this lofty goal?



Around the water cooler

Leaving: One Percent Realtor David Langlois is moving to Victoria to pursue another real estate opportunity. Freshly landed One percenters Lui Ayala & Andre Zubko will continue to fly the discount real estate firms flag.

Leaving: Deidre Langlois joins her husband Dave in moving the online travel agency Big Earth Adventure. http://www.bigearthadventure.com/ She cans till be reached at 892-2240

The Royal Bank hired James De Quadros as the new Client Care Manager.

Tantalus Deli and Meats opens in the old Sea to Sky Deli with new owners

Have a story idea? Get a promotion? Contact Craig “The Idea Guy” Davidiuk ideaguy@ultipromo.com 604-892-3771

How to "Wal Mart Proof" your Business

Wal Mart will do two things to Squamish business. The strong and the well-strategized, will survive. Those competing strictly on price, will not.

Here are some strategies you can employ right now to combat “price based” competition.

Strategy 1: Ask your best customers why they do business with you and document it. In 2002, my family business had to stop manufacturing and start importing because of a glut of Chinese imports. We called 2000 (it took 3 months) of our customers and asked about our product lines, customer service and updated their contact information. Not only was it a great follow up tool that generated instant sales, we learned an amazing amount of useful information. Many retailers in Squamish fail to get enough information about their customers on a daily basis and use it to their advantage. There is nothing wrong with a retailer calling their customers to thank them for their business and ask them to return soon.

Strategy 2: Solidify your most valuable asset: your customer list. Rest assured Wal Mart doesn’t keep tabs on its’ customers. You can. If you don’t use a database or CRM software (Customer Relationship Management) you should. It reminds you to call your customers before they need product. If you have all of your customer information, buying habits and emails organized, then you can then start doing targeted marketing. As a retailer, you can parlay this information into a newsletter (paper or email) or run contests and promotions.

Strategy 3: Stop competing on price. What is it that your business does that Wal Mart doesn’t? Offer hard to find products and charge more. Focus on premium brands with higher mark ups. Sell more of what makes you the most money. Find a niche market. There has to be something that you can provide that they can’t.

Strategy 4: Get your business on the internet. After 4 years on the internet and operating a Squamish business, I generate 60% (I know this stat because of my CRM software) of my sales outside of the District through my web site. You might have to launch a spin off business that you run online. Maybe you start selling knowledge and expertise on a field you’ve been in for several years? Hire someone to do Search Engine Optimization.

Strategy 5: Go two levels deeper than your most ardent competitor would! Several times a year, I surf my competitors web sites and have friends ask for quotes. Occasionally, I even buy something from them. As a retailer, you can go into Wal Mart and see what all the hype is about. Examine how they display the merchandise you sell. Can you sell it better or display it so it’s easier to find? Mock the greeter all you want but can you employ a customer service strategy to make people feel MORE welcome at your store so they don’t need to go to Wal Mart?

If your business is in direct competition with Wal Mart, you will have to find a way to reduce the amount of products you sell that are in direct competition. You might need to hire an outside party to help you re-shape your business to survive. At the end of the day, blood, sweat and tears are going to keep you afloat.


Around the water cooler

Quest appoints Angela Heck as director of Public Relations
Solterra Development hired Katherine Light in November as their sales manager
Squamish Sustainability Corporation hired David Thompson as their new Business Lead