Chatham-Kent’s RS Technologies Inc., the innovative composite utility pole manufacturer, is expanding production and adding a third shift.
As a result, the company is actively looking to hire new staff and is hosting a job fair Sept. 24. The job fair will be located at the Municipal Centre in Tilbury and will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Located in Tilbury, RS Technologies is the industry leader with its patent-protected composite utility poles that have an expected service life of 80 years and require zero maintenance.
The utility poles are both factory and life-tested to withstand tornadoes, ice storms, and hurricanes.
“We have the best customers in the world, backed by the best staff in the world,” said Tracy McDonald, Human Resources Manager for RS Technologies Inc. “We are looking to bring more people on board that can really become part of the RS Technologies family.”
RS Technologies is looking to hire both general labourers and also skilled trades positions, including a maintenance millwright and maintenance electrician.
The high performance poles produced by RS Technologies are used in transmission, distribution, and communication applications and offer a lighter, more durable and longer-lasting solution over wood, steel and concrete alternatives. In many instances, the environmentally friendly poles deliver the lowest total installed and lifecycle cost solution of any pole on the market.
RS Technologies has over 400 customers globally and has installed over 20,000 poles in the field since 2003.
For more information on the job fair and RS Technologies, please visit their website at www.RSpoles.comor on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/rspoles/.
Chatham-Kent Music Schools grows
Now celebrating its third year in business, the Chatham-Kent Music Schools Inc., formerly known as the Tilbury Music Centre, has seen positive growth, which has allowed them to open a second location at 530 Victoria Ave. in Chatham and several satellite locations.
The schools offer music lessons on a variety of instruments including piano, violin, guitar, and vocal lessons. In addition, they also sell entry-level musical instruments and accessories such as guitar strings and music stands.
“The community has been very supportive and we are already accepting students for our first fall session in Chatham.” said James Mason, owner of the Chatham-Kent Music Schools Inc. “Also, we are also going to be expanding into other areas of Chatham-Kent by offering lessons once a week in Thamesville, Merlin, and Wallaceburg starting early 2019. This is an exciting time for us.
“Our growth has been steady and consistent. We have over 170 music students now,” said Mason. “We started at 12 back in 2016. I employ six teachers and it’s going extremely well. We seem to be really filling a need where we are and we’re drawing students from as far away as Windsor.”
Mason attributes a key element of his success to the Chatham-Kent Small Business Centre Starter Company Plus program and the $5,000 small business grant he received.
“They were amazing. They’ve been a huge help to me all the way long, offering support and programs, asking questions and getting me in touch with resources,” he said. “Even if I had never received the grant, it would have been worth the three days I invested going to the program because I learned so much from the course.”
As part of the Starter Company Plus program, Mason was coached in developing a business plan, working on the financials of his business to ensure it would be viable, and learning key strategies for success.
“I’ve had the pleasure to work with James and the Chatham-Kent Music Schools Inc. for quite some time now and have been able to see them grow, adjust their plans based on customer needs, and really find a core focus for the business,” said Rosemarie Montgomery, Business Consultant with the Small Business Centre. “The schools have such a wonderful dedication to building a vibrant musical community that it’s a delight to see them be successful.”
Before opening his business, Mason spent 25 years managing large grocery stores and hundreds of employees before deciding to go into business for himself in August 2016.
Chatham CrossFit holding grand opening
Chatham CrossFit recently built a new facility on Queen Street, and is having a grand opening on Sept. 22.
The open house takes place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature demonstrations of crossfit, presentations from the owners and coaching staff, food brought by Twisted Nook, and a quick workout for whoever is interested.
Vendors in attendance will be Twisted Nook for food, GNC for supplements, Colin Goudreau for chiropractics and Jordan Couper for nutrition.
Door prizes include a year’s membership at CrossFit and various other prizes and deals.
