FURNITURE FACTORY IN THE ARCTIC? |
 |
Full Size Sofa and Love Seat, Tuxedo Style, Traditional Skirting, Bolsters, Reversable Pattern Aligned Cushions |
|
| 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.
|
 |
Tuxedo Style, Contemporary, Bold Floral Pattern Chair, Sofa Set |
|
|
 |
Furniture Factory Frame Shop Interior, Part Storage R, Foam Wrap Storage L, Seat Cushion Foam in Attic not shown |
|
|
Century Style love seat in brown suede. A product of the
Hay River Furniture Factory, Hay River, NWT, Canada - Ca 1976
|
Classic Style Nylon White Velvet Sofa and Love Seat
|
Above Center:
Arctic factory space at a premium so back a semi-trailer up to the factory door for a shipping room.
|
Above: The crew that made it all happen
Below: With a little help from the local newspaper
|
Century Style 3 cushion sofa and chair
|
Grand opening ceremonies for hospital
Hay River, NWT, Canada
|
An oldie "Snow Cat" ready and waiting
|
Dumptruck Northwest Territories Style
|
Pulled and waiting for the "Spring Break Up"
|
River Barges frozen in place til spring thaw
|
Typical Northwest Territories sunset - A daily occurence
|
|