Business Voice Insert - November 2021

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The Chronicle Herald • Sponsored Content

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

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Big business, big(ger) impact Large employers in Halifax support growth of city, economy

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conomic diversity is something regions around the world strive for, as varied economic activities grow stronger, more developed economies.

This variety is achieved when thriving small and large businesses contribute toward the same economy. The Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) enjoys a great amount of economic diversity for a region of its size. The area brims with small businesses, so appreciated that this love is often shouted about from the rooftops.

Our region also boasts large private businesses, built upon innovation, creativity and teamwork. These businesses produce ripple effects, creating jobs and bringing opportunities to Halifax that otherwise might not occur. These large businesses include Neocon, Maritime Paper (a division of Scotia Investments), and Oland (a division of Labatt Breweries).

We spoke with the leaders of these respected, innovative businesses for insight on how their work impacts our local economy and community.

HISTORY MEETS INNOVATION

BUILDING BIG IN HALIFAX Neocon Founder and President Pat Ryan says that when he began pondering building a business in Halifax to take on the automotive sector, he was told it could likely work elsewhere — but not here. Today, nearly three decades later, Neocon has become a major private employer in the HRM, employing around 350 people in Nova Scotia and hundreds more across North America.

“Everyone told me why it would never happen here, and the list of reasons was long,” says Ryan. “But one of my greatest strengths was I didn’t know the difference — I just plowed forward.”

The company was founded to help design and build new cars with new features using new techniques. Ryan, a mechanical engineer by trade, was inspired

by Halifax’s local engineering talent and connections with Dalhousie University. He was also motivated by the impact local job creation could — and has — had on the community.

The home-grown company is now full-service, delivering on concepts, prototypes, designs, and product manufacturing for clients like Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Mazda, Volkswagen, and more — including those in the electric vehicle

Wade Keller says of the $275 million in beer sold via the NSLC last year, around $180 million came from Oland brewery. Contributed market. Ryan says this all stems from the think tank that is Neocon’s HRM office.

Its Halifax base produces a spinoff effect, which Ryan says is directly related to job creation in the region. Neocon orders shipping materials and packaging from Maritime Paper and uses services from local organizations including the Dartmouth Adult Services Centre. Neocon is also in the midst of a 60,000-square-foot expansion at its Burnside location and, by May 2022, expects to add another 120 people to its workforce. Ryan says these developments mean big things for Halifax as a city and as an economy.

“Big business attracts other big business,” he says. “If big business continues to think that way, I believe it’s possible — and a really nice goal — that in 10 years, we have 2 million people here. This would double our opportunities to create economic traction, and big business is key to that.”

There’s no question about the value of small businesses in the province. I think there is also an equal value that should be placed on medium or large businesses. The model for a successful, strong economy is finding that right mix of both.”

— Wade Keller, Director of Corporate Affairs in Atlantic Canada for Labatt Breweries

Wade Keller is the Director of Corporate Affairs in Atlantic Canada for Labatt Breweries, which owns Oland Brewery and Alexander Keith’s Brewery. Contributed.

Sheldon Gouthro is President and CEO at Maritime Paper, which is a member of the Scotia Investments Family of Companies that employs more than 200 people at its Burnside location.

Having been in business since 1931, Gouthro says the company has long been aware of the need to innovate constantly and consistently over the years in order to remain successful.

“We started out by making beverage containers for breweries. Now, we manufacture corrugated boxes, serving primarily food and beverage, fishing and agriculture industries. We’re still here after 90 years, which means we have been able to continue finding ways to service the market here in Atlantic Canada,” he says.

“We’ve grown beyond Burnside and have facilities now in all four Atlantic provinces” As a packaging manufacturer and supplier, Maritime Paper directly supports businesses of all sizes, from tiny stores to multinational breweries.

The company also routinely innovates packaging design and sizes to help companies capitalize on opportunities to grow their business, which he says has been all the more necessary to support businesses through the pandemic “We have a major role in facilitating local business thanks to our relationships and collaboration around packaging materials,” says Gouthro. “Whether it’s a major export like crab or lobster, or any other product that needs to go in a box, we have a whole graphic design department to support those ideas.

We’ve been an essential service throughout COVID-19, facilitating the continued shipping of products to our local communities and around the world.”

One of the benefits of the company’s success, says Gouthro, is that Maritime Paper has become an employer of choice that can not only attract, but retain, talent vital to the region. The company has forged lasting relationships with customers and long-term staff — some are part of families that have worked at the company for generations.

Gouthro himself has been with Maritime Paper for more than three decades, beginning in an entry-level position and working all the way up to his current leadership role.

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Sponsored Content • The Chronicle Herald

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

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Hiring with intention Diversity Employment Network to match African Nova Scotian candidates with local businesses JUDITH KAYS

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he widely covered tragic, racist events that happened over the past few years have prompted companies and organizations to strive for equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within their workforce, and have possibly pushed consumers to support brands that do take EDI seriously. But more times than not, outdated hiring practices and unconscious biases make it hard for diverse applicants to get hired.

Idy Fashoranti is hoping to change this. Her social enterprise, Diversity Employment Network (DEN) seeks to match experienced BIPOC candidates with businesses, as well as training and strategic planning on how companies can develop a fulsome and inclusive hiring policy.

“Adding diverse voices and experiences to a workforce increases engagement and builds a safe and inclusive space for meaningful connections to be made,” Fashoranti says.

“Employers want to strengthen their organization’s diversity, and job seekers of colour are looking for the right opportunity to contribute their skills and expertise.”

As a Black Business Consulting initiative, DEN offers services like board governance training, diversity coaching and mentorship, and helps candidates find roles in organizations that value unique and diverse perspectives.

DEN acts as a hub for skilled African Nova Scotians, businesses, government associations, and community organizations to come together in mutually beneficial business partnerships.

“We want to improve the career trajectories of people in the African Nova Scotian community, who have long been under-represented in the workforce, says Fashoranti.

“We’re able to provide support to job seekers, like employability readiness training and job search assistance, to help shift this imbalance.”

Many businesses are putting significant effort into their EDI policies, like new staffing plans that reflect and mirror the world around them. The Co-operators insurance company in Dartmouth, for example, has a strategy to prioritize, equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility.

Co-operators Financial Advisor Shane Kennedy says that after months spent searching for qualified candidates for a senior position within the company, things changed when he engaged with Fashoranti and her team at DEN. “Idy helped us find people who might fit the bill. The quality of talent was impressive and, ultimately, we hired Evelyn Olaiya as an Associate Insurance Advisor.

Diversity Employment Network's Idy Fashoranti matches BIPOC candidates with HRM companies, building equitable opportunities for BIPOC professionals and helping companies create more inclusive spaces. Unsplash.com She’s already become a strong addition to the team,” he says.

Olaiya says working with the Black Business Initiative and DEN helped to eliminate challenges she could have faced when looking for a professional position.

“An employment specialist helped me and created a special plan of action in getting a job that I was qualified for and interested in,” she says. “From resume building to employment counselling, they helped with all of it and were swift and proactive in the process, helping me look for the right fit based on my needs and career growth.”

To fully engage with EDI, companies should go further than stating “applications from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply,” and should rebuild their hiring practices to create a more inclusive hiring process and workplace overall. Fashoranti says the biggest challenge often is getting organizations to reach out to her ahead of publishing

their job postings. Hiring managers, human resource professionals and recruiters can benefit from engaging DEN in their staffing strategies.

“There are a great number of exceptionally skilled people of colour in Nova Scotia, and organizations need to find ways to tap into the talent pool that is right here,” Fashoranti says.

“The pandemic has further displaced many people in the Black community who have been and continue to be unemployed and underemployed and now, more than ever before, we need to get our people back to work.”

One thing that Fashoranti doesn’t want to see is the concept of “token hiring” — a quick fix to diversity — which is why DEN offers employers and job seekers more than just a match.

DEN ensures the fit is right by facilitating matches personally, basing them on qualifications, experience and opportunities.

DEN also helps organizations see how they can welcome and

The pandemic has further displaced many people in the Black community who have been and continue to be unemployed and underemployed and now, more than ever before, we need to get our people back to work.”

— Idy Fashoranti, Diversity Employment Network

retain these employees through inclusion and engagement.

Olaiya says that as a newly hired female person of colour in a traditionally white, maledominated industry, she’s fitting in well in a position that she’s earned.

“Finding meaningful work that you are qualified for is key,” she says. “Sometimes you need to get out of your comfort zone, and seek help when you need it.”

Kennedy says companies who want to make a conscious effort to explore their current staffing policies and make impactful changes should do so, as it’s “not only the right thing to do, but also a key success strategy for business growth,” he says.

“By removing barriers in the hiring process, you are ultimately opening yourself up to a deeper pool of top talent, and a wider array of perspectives that can help you grow as a business and better meet the needs of your community.”

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The Chronicle Herald • Sponsored Content

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

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There are 350 people on the Neocon team in Nova Scotia, and countless others across North America. Contributed.

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“These are great opportunities for people in the region that provide long-term career development opportunities,” says Gouthro. “We’ve invested a lot to keep modern and create opportunities for our business, staff and local economy.”

PART OF THE HALIFAX IDENTITY Wade Keller is the Director of Corporate Affairs in Atlantic Canada for Labatt Breweries, which owns Oland Brewery and Alexander Keith’s Brewery. He says it’s safe to say that these key breweries have become woven into the identity of Halifax.

For over a century, the city and breweries have grown alongside one another. Old photos of the Oland brewery depict its Agricola Street location as one largely surrounded by farmland in 1905. Keller says Oland Brewery, and Alexander Keith’s within it, has been a major contributor to the growth seen since those pictures were taken.

“We’ve helped the city grow and we’ve had quite an impact, to be honest. Labatt beers — Bud Light, Schooner Lager, Oland Export Ale, Michelob ULTRA, and more — brewed on Agricola

The team at Maritime Paper, a division of Scotian Investments, includes more than more than 200 people. Contributed.

Street make up about two thirds of NSLC beer sales. Of the $275 million in NSLC beer sales in the last available annual report, around $180 million came from Oland brewery, which is a significant impact,” he says.

Despite its national and international reach developed over a century in business, the

brewery is firmly rooted in Halifax, says Keller.

“Many people don’t see us as local. The people who work here are very proud of what they do, and of our long history in Halifax,” he says. “I think this is one thing that sometimes gets overlooked, because Labatt is part of a multinational company.”

Keller emphasizes his appreciation for local staff, which has remained relatively steady over the years at around 200 people.

Many are from families who have worked with the brewery for generations, says Keller. But during the craft beer craze that has swept across Nova Scotia, Keller says he’s noted a lack of

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recognition for brewing teams that work at larger breweries, like Oland, who deserve that same recognition.

“When you look at people who work in our brewery and add the value the brewery brings through the sales of our products, you get people who are very proud of the fact that they live and work here and make contributions to their community,” says Keller. “They see themselves as part of the local beer industry.”

Oland Brewery spends $15 million annually on wages, and $30 million on goods and services — between $8 and $10 million will be spent this year alone in capital upgrades at the Agricola Street brewery. Keller says the local impact of these expenditures demonstrates how the brewery has become a significant contributor to the regional and provincial economies.

“There’s no question about the value of small businesses in the province. I think there is also an equal value that should be placed on medium or large businesses,” says Keller. “The model for a successful, strong economy is finding that right mix of both.”