Corporate Markham In The News
December 16, 2002 – Coast Mountain Sports, located in Markville Shopping Centre, has earned its designer an international award. Parchoma & Jones Design Inc., an interior design firm specializing in retail services, was recently honoured by the International Council of Shopping Centres for its innovative and functional design of the retailer’s Markville location which opened earlier this year. Coast Mountain Sports specializes in retail products aimed at the sporting goods market and has over 10,000 square feet of retail space in Markville. The ICSC is the global trade association of the shopping centre industry.
November 25, 2002 – Dell Canada, a subsidiary of international computer giant, Dell Computer Corporation of Texas, has opened a Dell Direct kiosk in Markville Shopping Centre. The kiosk gives customers the opportunity to interact with Dell's sales staff and personal computers before making a purchase decision. Customers can still place orders over the phone or Internet, Dell’s highly successful sales channels but customers can now do so at the kiosk. Three locations in the Greater Toronto Area were selected as a test of the Canadian market, with Markham’s tech-savvy reputation an important consideration in its selection. The kiosks have already been proven successful in the U.S. and David Gair, a Unionville resident and the firm’s senior manager of product development, believes that customers may feel more at ease when they know exactly what they are buying. The kiosks could also broaden the company’s visibility which is important in the fiercely competitive PC market where Dell already holds a leading market share.
November 1, 2002 – Labelad Inc., a producer of labels and packaging based in Markham, Ontario was recently selected by two of the largest names in graphics arts production to launch a new printing process called Hexachrome, which works with six colours instead of the standard four. Labelad in partnership with Pantone and Sun Chemical is the first narrow web flexographic printer in North America to be certified for Pantone Hexachrome colour matching capabilities. The new process uses specially enhanced inks to reproduce rich vibrant solid colors, realistic skin tones and elegant pastels that required multiple spot colors to achieve in the past. The company currently produces variety of pressure sensitive labels and flexible packaging for such well-know names as Dove, Hellman’s Mayonnaise, President’s Choice, Jergens, Aveda, Lactancia Cream Cheese and Mitchum Deodorant. With a current staff of about 500 employees, the company expects to increase its workforce with the introduction of this new technology. Labelad and its sister company Sandylion Sticker Designs sell their products in 64 countries with all production occurring in Markham.
October 7, 2002 – Redline Communications Inc. of Markham has been awarded a $4.6 million repayable loan from Technology Partnerships Canada, a branch of Industry Canada, to develop a wireless broadband access system using newly allocated frequency bands to expand access to high-speed networks. The Honourable John McCallum, Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Markham commented "This project will build a bridge to high-speed computer access across the country and bring us closer to making Canada the world's most connected country." Industry Minister Allan Rock added, "Technology Partnerships Canada investments are helping Canadian businesses develop innovative products and processes that increase economic growth, create high-quality jobs, and support sustainable development.” The company stated that its systems would be part of a wireless broadband access system that also works in rural and isolated areas of Canada. Founded in 1999, Redline Communications has grown rapidly, with over 100 employees and additional engineering and design centres in Romania.
October 3, 2002 – Michael Angelo’s Market Place has been identified by the Town of Markham as the new developer of the former Knob Hill Farms site at the northeast corner of Woodbine Avenue and Highway 7 in Markham. The new development will include a 71,500 square-foot supermarket expected to open in fall 2003, a 30,000 square-foot retail building, a 71,000 square-foot office building off Woodbine Avenue and a two-level 344-space parking deck. Markham Councillor Dan Horchik commented, “Everyone at the Town of Markham is anxious to see a good project and the residents have been very involved with input into the design.” The area is seen as an important gateway into Markham with a strong existing corporate presence, close proximity to Markham’s Toronto-Buttonville Municipal Airport and easy access to Highways 404 and 407.
October 1, 2002 - CorporateMarkham.com Inc., operator of Markham’s popular business and community website CorporateMarkham.com, has announced the launch of jobsMarkham, a unique community-based online employment service aimed at Markham’s growing business community. The privately owned company commented “We view this service as a natural extension of what CorporateMarkham.com is all about - a one-stop information experience for our visitors and a way to further promote Markham as the best business and residential community in Canada.” jobsMarkham will provide local businesses with a low-cost alternative to advertise local employment opportunities while also allowing job-seekers the opportunity to post their resumes online at no charge. Companies can post a job for only $40 per month or opt for unlimited annual postings for $500. CorporateMarkham.com has grown to represent over 2,100 local organizations and provides online advertising for well-known local clients such as Bearskin Airlines, Best Buy, Hilton Suites Toronto/Markham, Holtz Spa, Markville Shopping Centre, Marriott Hotels, the Town of Markham and X-Copper Legal Services Inc.
September 3, 2002 - Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada, Inc. officially began selling vehicles in Canada, including the opening of a dealership location in Markham. The Markham Mitsubishi facility is currently located on Highway 7 between Warden Avenue and Kennedy Road and plans are underway to construct a new full-service dealership in the area. Mitsubishi vehicles are manufactured in Japan, Australia and the United States and Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America, Inc. in Illinois produces approximately 60% of the vehicles sold in North America. Mitsubishi offers customers a choice of vehicles ranging from entry-level subcompacts (Mirage and Lancer), mid-size sedans (Galant) and sports coupes (Eclipse), to luxury performance sedans (Diamante), sporty sports-utility vehicles (Montero Sport) and luxury sports-utility vehicles (Montero). Mitsubishi Motor’s product line has acquired an international reputation for quality, style, technology and affordability.
August 19, 2002 - CoolBrands International Inc. of Markham has acquired Chipwich Inc.,
a private New York-based producer of Chipwich ice-cream cookie sandwiches with annual revenues
of approx. CDN $10 million. CoolBrands current roster of products include Eskimo Pie, Oreo Big Stuff,
Smart Ones, Fruit-a-Freeze and franchise outlets for Yogen Fruz, I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt and
Bresler’s in over 80 countries worldwide. CoolBrands has major distribution agreements with Wal-Mart
Stores Inc., 7 Eleven Inc. and Safeway Stores Inc. CoolBrands President and Co-CEO David Stein commented
"Chipwich is a terrific brand name and a product that has established a following that we believe is a
base for future growth." CoolBrands is now the continent’s third largest producer of frozen treats
behind international giants Unilever PLC and Nestlé SA.
August 2, 2002 - White Rose Home and Garden Centres Ltd., a newly formed company, has purchased
White Rose Crafts and Nursery Sales Ltd. of Unionville from receiver PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc.,
saving 24 of the chain’s 31 retail stores from bankruptcy. The new company is headed by entrepreneur
Iqbal Kassam who will re-focus the business on gardening and home decorating while phasing out arts
and crafts. The former market leader was established in Unionville in 1957 and has faced stiff
competition in recent years from larger retailers such as Canadian Tire, Loblaws and Wal-Mart.
White Rose spokesperson Susan Crowe commented that "The market has changed drastically and retailers
of any kind really have to adapt and make a difference."
July 26, 2002 - Hilton Garden Inn Toronto/Markham officially opened its new 103,455 square foot
facility in Markham. The 5-story hotel has 145 guest rooms with high-speed Internet access, a 24-hour
business centre, recreation centre, heated indoor pool, whirlpool, fitness room, and over 2,000 square
feet of meeting space. The hotel also boasts an up-scale restaurant and lobby lounge and is conveniently
located at Highway 7 and Highway 404, just minutes away from the Toronto/Buttonville Municipal Airport
in Markham.
July 4, 2002 - Marriott Hotels of Canada has opened three new hotels in southern York Region
including two in Markham. The Courtyard by Marriott and The Residence Inn by Marriott were recently
opened on Minthorn Court in the Highway 7 & Highway 404 area. Michael Beckley, Marriott’s Vice President
for lodging development in Canada commented, "We view Markham as a city within a city. Markham is well
advanced." He added that the growth of York Region’s southern municipalities and the business travellers
attracted by a burgeoning corporate community in Markham were key factors in Marriott’s decision to expand
into the area. The chain has invested over $50 million into York Region and Mississauga which will result
in the creation of over 150 new jobs with further expansion planned in the G.T.A.
July 3, 2002 – InSystems Technologies Inc. of Markham has been purchased by Standard
Register of Dayton, Ohio for U.S. $89 million. The U.S. information solutions giant intends
to run InSystems as a separate subsidiary unit that will maintain its own identity and brand
because the U.S. company has been impressed by the firm’s talent, technology and strong
customer base. Both companies specialize in management software for insurance companies
with Standard Register a dominant market leader employing over 6,000 with annual revenues of
more than U.S. $1 billion. InSystems was founded in 1989 and has annual revenues of $24
million while employing 230 people in its Markham head office. InSystems founder Mike Egan
will remain the subsidiary’s chief executive officer and was also named a vice president of
Standard Register. He commented “We share corporate values, culture and the commitment to
being great places to work. Together we will drive technology innovation that will provide
compelling value for our customers.”
June 1, 2002 – Best Buy Co., Inc. of Eden Prairie, Minnesota announced that plans are underway
to expand into Canada by opening eight electronics super-stores in the Greater Toronto Area,
including one in Markville Shopping Centre in Markham. Construction of the 36,000 square foot
outlet is currently in progress and will employ over 120 full and part-time staff. The world’s
largest volume specialty retailer of consumer electronics, personal computers, entertainment
software and appliances also recently purchased Canada’s Future Shop chain and is on target to
have more than 550 stores world-wide by 2004. Corporate communications officer Freda Colbourne
commented, “We chose to build in Markham because it is a growing community, it has strong retail
potential and Markville Shopping Centre’s renovations provide us with a lot of opportunity”.
Ms. Colbourne also emphasized that the arrival of Best Buy will not result in the closure of any
Future Shop outlets, including the existing location in Markham.
May 20, 2002 – Markham Centre, Markham’s new downtown project, is expected to start development
with the release of the final plans of the core district by The Remington Group. The core area
will encompass 243 acres surrounding a six-acre man-made lake and a European-style grand avenue.
The district will house over 8,000 residents in 3,500 apartments and townhouses and will employ
20,000 people in 515,000 square feet of commercial space. As a whole, Markham Centre will cover
992 acres and will be home to over 36,000 residents and 28,000 employees. The area is bordered by
Highway 7, Warden Avenue, Kennedy Road and Highway 407. Corporate residents currently include
Motorola Canada Ltd., IBM Software Solutions Laboratory and the recently expanded Hilton Suites
Toronto/Markham Conference Centre and Spa. Markham Centre is expected to attract other major
corporations into Corporate Markham for years to come as companies continue to recognize the
benefits of locating to a business-friendly and family-oriented community conveniently located
minutes away from the City of Toronto’s expensive downtown core.
May 16, 2002 – York Consortium 2002 was announced as the winner of York Region’s competition
to design, build and operate a multi-billion dollar rapid transit system. The consortium of
companies includes American, German and Canadian companies in a unique public-private partnership
that is expected to create a sophisticated rapid transit system along Yonge Street and Highway 7
in Markham and Richmond Hill. The system is expected to include rapid bus transit and light rail
with connections to the Toronto Transit Commission and public transit systems in neighbouring
Durham and Peel Regions. With the rapid expansion of corporate facilities in southern York Region,
especially in Markham and Richmond Hill, the new system will be a further stimulus for attracting
further economic growth in the Region. Bill Fisch, Regional Chairperson commented, “It’s a milestone
in the history of our municipalities”.
May 1, 2002 – Holtz Spa Inc. of Ottawa, has officially opened its first franchise location at
the Hilton Suites Toronto/Markham Conference Centre & Spa. The 5,800 square foot complex is a state-of-the-art
facility based on the principles of health and wellness rather than a beauty-oriented philosophy.
Holtz the Spa is the first in Canada to offer an Aromatherm Capsule, a hydrotherapy treatment that
uses jets to massage and relax the muscles, and a Swiss Shower that combines light and sound therapy
with an aromatic steam to stimulate the senses. Customers can enjoy over 60 treatments including
four separate “anti-aging” facials and Swedish massage sessions. Holtz the Spa compliments the image
of the upscale, four-star Hilton Suites facility which is rated as one of the finest in the Greater
Toronto Area.
April 2, 2002 – Hilton Suites Toronto/Markham Conference Centre & Spa officially held a
renaming ceremony to announce a name change from the former Embassy Suites brand. Owner
Herman Grad noted that “When we added the conference centre, the extra suites and the spa,
we had to upgrade our name to either the Hilton or the Four Seasons.” The landmark luxury
hotel was opened in 1989 and has since doubled in total size to over 600,000 square feet and
currently employs over 400 staff. As part of the change, the hotel is now officially ranked
as a “4-Star” facility. The Hilton Suites Toronto/Markham also became the first Canadian Hilton
to donate over 1,000 pounds of linens and toiletries to ten charities in York Region as part of
the chain’s Random Acts of Service program. Mr. Grad hopes the donation will motivate other
local businesses to make a contribution to this worthy cause.
March 5, 2002 – Solvay Pharma Inc., the Belgium-based pharmaceutical conglomerate officially
opened its new Canadian head office at 60 Columbia Parkway in Markham. The company employs
over 32,000 people in 46 countries and reported sales of U.S. $7.6 billion in 2001. The firm
conducts research and development in various therapeutic areas including cardiology and mental
health. The company cited Markham’s strong business reputation, growing medical community and
high quality of life as its primary reasons for joining corporate Markham.
February 26, 2002 – Motorola Canada Limited, a world leader in the cellular communications
market with Canadian sales of over $1 billion, officially opened its new Canadian headquarters
in Markham. Micheline Bouchard, Chairman, President and CEO commented at the official announcement
that “Markham’s high-tech community was certainly an attraction but we also wanted to make sure
that our employees could live and work in a community that would be appealing to them. Transportation,
day care, education facilities and housing were all part of the consideration.” Located at Warden
Avenue and Highway 407 in Markham’s new downtown core, the 13.7-acre site houses 224,000 square
feet of office space on 7 floors and can accommodate over 850 employees. The building also boasts
a state-of-the-art communications facility and fitness centre. Markham Mayor Donald Cousens
commented, “We’re pleased to have Motorola Canada join our business community. Markham has a
thriving and growing high-tech community and this is exactly the kind of business we want to
continue to attract and see flourish here.”
January 2, 2002 (Update) - The Town of Markham is expected to benefit from over $1
billion worth of construction in 2002, resulting in over 6,000 new residents and 2,500 units.
Residential construction will continue in upscale neighbourhoods of Angus Glen, Berczy, Wismer,
Greensborough and the internationally acclaimed "new urbanism" development of Cornell.
Construction is also slated to begin in Markham Centre, located between Warden Avenue and
Kennedy Road on the south side of Highway 7. The massive development project will be a mix of
low-rise towns, medium to high-rise units, commercial office and retail space. Current high-profile
corporate tenants include IBM Software Solutions Laboratory and Motorola Canada. Infrastructure
spending on sewers, roads and sidewalks is estimated to reach $250 million. Milliken will also benefit
from a $22 million urban Main Street project at Highway 48 and old 14th Avenue in south Markham.
The project has attracted the participation of Home Depot, Canadian Tire, McDonald’s and Kelsey’s.
Mary Frances Turner, Markham’s planning commissioner commented that "Each building will be harmonized
architecturally and the streetscape will include trees, benches, and flowers that will give a sense of
entry into Markham."
See our profile in the Markham Economist & Sun
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Corporate News - 2002
