| FURNITURE FACTORY IN THE ARCTIC? |
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| Full Size Sofa and Love Seat, Tuxedo Style, Traditional Skirting, Bolsters, Reversable Pattern Aligned Cushions |
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The Story
The Department of Economic Development,
Government of Northwest Territories, Canada,
had a fledgling upholstery operation severely
in need of production and design engineering.
The operation was located in Hay River "North
of 60°" (the parallel) and handicapped by its
location hundreds of miles from its suppliers
and major markets.
CONSULTING FIRM SAYS "IMPOSSIBLE"
A major and well respected consulting firm,
conducted a year long feasibility study of
the project and gave it a resounding thumbs
down. Not possible to carry off. Dozens of
reasons were given in its 200 page report.
GOVT OFFICIALS NOT CONVINCED
Unconvinced, Govt. officials sought out the
services of Brooks Engineering & Design, a
then, one man operation working the twin
disciplines of industrial engineering and
industrial design. Being highly impressed
with the company's production engineering
work for a successful British Columbia interior
furnishings company, they wanted to enlist
the aid of "the Yank" who enjoyed moving
low tech operations to higher tech.
EXISTING FURNITURE AN EMBARRASMENT
The existing line of furniture had a park bench
like appearance with 2" thick, very hard foam
cushions. The furniture was so unattractive
and production so flawed that some workers
were embarrassed to the point of taking a
back road arriving behind the factory where
they could park out of sight so no one would
know where they worked.
"YANK" DESIGNS NEW FURNITURE
Reinvention of the entire seating line was
necessary including frames, tooling, jigs
and production system. Space being at a
premium (unavailable), the existing facility
had to be used (the Moose Hall- an old
house with walls removed). No room for
shipping so a 40' semi trailer was backed
up to the front to serve as a shipping room.
FURNITURE FACTORY BESTS BIGGIES
Bottom Line: Pride in the operation and its
new furniture blossomed. Employees begged
to show it off at the regional fair. Factory was
fully operational in 12 months. A successful
trade show drew rave reviews including a CBC
interview with the "Yank". Perhaps best of all,
the little company won a bidding competition
with major southern manufacturers to supply
the NWT Govt's annual furniture needs and
was operating in the black the first year.
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| Tuxedo Style, Contemporary, Bold Floral Pattern Chair, Sofa Set |
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| Furniture Factory Frame Shop Interior, Part Storage R, Foam Wrap Storage L, Seat Cushion Foam in Attic not shown |
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Century Style love seat in brown suede. A product of the
Hay River Furniture Factory, Hay River, NWT, Canada - Ca 1976
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Classic Style Nylon White Velvet Sofa and Love Seat
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Above Center:
Arctic factory space at a premium so back a semi-trailer up
to the factory door for a shipping room.
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Above: The crew that made it all happen
Below: With a little help from the local newspaper
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Century Style 3 cushion sofa and chair
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Grand opening ceremonies for hospital
Hay River, NWT, Canada
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An oldie "Snow Cat" ready and waiting
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Dumptruck Northwest Territories Style
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Pulled and waiting for the "Spring Break Up"
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River Barges frozen in place til spring thaw
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Typical Northwest Territories sunset - A daily occurence
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