Canada Goose

Parka Maker Canada Goose Opens 96,000-sq.ft. Toronto Plant

Summary

Canada Goose has opened a new global headquarters doubled its floor space to 96,000 sq.ft. in Toronto.  The high-end parka makers added another 57,000-sq.ft. floor space to a new location in Winnipeg.  This year, they have hired 200 workers for both locations.  Canada Goose CEO Dani Reiss deliberately chose Canada over better profit margin overseas to reignite a once vibrant manufacturing industry at home.  He is prepared to take the risk and show the world that Made-in-Canada brand will succeed.  The biggest challenge Canada Goose faces is finding skilled sewers.  Mr. Reiss is working with the government to make that change.  In a statement released to the company, Canada Finance Minister Joe Oliver praised Mr. Reiss' accomplishment for transforming a small warehouse his family started in 1957 into an international recognized brand in over 50 years -- a true Canadian treasure.  As of today, Canada Goose employs six percent of cut sew labour industry and has witnessed a four-thousand percent growth.  In the same statement, Mr. Oliver congratulated Reiss for the new headquarters and the factory expansion which will create new jobs and will benefit to the entire country.  Dani Reiss’ high quality jacket made for extreme weather has sold over 50 countries. 

Canada Goose’s new headquarters was originally built in the 1940s for school and office supply firm Hilroy, now owned by ACCO Brands Corp.  The Canada Goose facility in Winnipeg was first built in 1916 for the Stovel Printing Co. and features leading-edge technology in fabric cutting, down-filling and sewing.

Opinion

What more can I say.  Mr. Reiss is one out of a million.  He made a strategic move when he chose Bain Capital.  He knew Bain’s approach for doing business.  He knew what he had to give-up in order to fulfill his dream.  To gain a leg-up by forfeiting a majority stake in Canada Goose to compete in an already over saturated high-end retail market in Canada – let alone the world.  That didn’t stop him.  Instead, he went after the Asian market.  It looks like he has all the ducks lined-up with the support of Bain Capital and the Government of Canada.  What happens next, is anybody’s guess.  I’m just glad I have a front-row seat.  “Dani, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” Humphrey Bogart would say about now.  You’ve got to give Mr. Reiss chutzpah.

Questions and Feedback

Name a Canadian business (in retail) that did not go bust?  Will Mr. Reiss be bought out?

References

Canadian Manufacturing Staff. (2014, October 15). Parka maker Canada Goose opens 96,000-sq.ft. Toronto plant.  Retrieved from URL: [Online Newswire] http://www.canadianmanufacturing.com/manufacturing/parka-maker-canada-goose-opens-96000-sq-ft-toronto-plant-141682/

Canada Goose

PFSweb Partners with Canada Goose to Provide a Comprehensive eCommerce Solution

Summary

One of Canada’s most famous manufacturer known for luxury outdoor jacket (completely Made-in-Canada) has partnered with another global player.  Their specialty is to provide an end-to-end eCommerce solution.  Canada Goose has chosen PFSweb to provide the expertise to expand and enhance their entire on-line operations.  The person to do it is Mike Willoughby, CEO of PFSweb, headquartered in Allen, Texas.  Mr. Willoughby believes his company has the right people to introduce a seamless on-line shopping experience for Canada Goose.  They will provide technology services, development and operational support.  PFSweb is as famous in the industry as the clients they serve, the list includes Procter & Gamble, L'Oreal, LEGO, Columbia Sportswear, Ricoh, Roots Canada Ltd., Diageo, T.J. Maxx, and the United States Mint.  Jacob Pat, Vice President of IT, Canada Goose said what impresses him the most about PFSweb was their track record and their ability to customized solution to Canada Goose. 

Opinion

Canada Goose is getting ready to take the leap into the most competitive market in Asia.  Armed with Bain Capital on one arm and PFSweb on the other.  They are prepared to enter the biggest market on the planet, China.  There is a lot at stake for all parties involved.  First, Bain Capital former co-founder, Mitt Romney is rumoured to be running for 2016 Presidential Election.  Second, Canada is also up for an election next year.  Canada Goose is Canada’s pride and joy, can’t afford to have a bad launch in Asia, can we?  This maybe the litmus test for the newly inked US-China Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) which takes effect October 1, 2014.

Questions and Feedback

Do you believe Canada Goose and Bain Capital are the right fit?  Do you think BIT will make a difference on the success of Canada Goose in Asia?  If so, how?

References

MarketWired. (2014, September 17). PFSweb Partners with Canada Goose to Provide a Comprehensive eCommerce Solution.  Retrieved from URL: http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/pfsweb-partners-with-canada-goose-to-provide-a-comprehensive-ecommerce-solution-nasdaq-pfsw-1948106.htm

 

Canada Goose

Canada Goose applauds passage of Combating Counterfeit Products Act in Canadian House of Commons
 

Summary

Canada Goose, a manufacturer of luxury outdoor jackets welcomes the new Combating Counterfeit Products Act.  The new legislation was passed in Canada's House of Commons.  The Member of Parliament across the party lines stands united to vote for the new anti-counterfeit measures to stop counterfeit products from entering Canada.  Soon, the new law will protect consumers, businesses and Canadian jobs.  Kevin Spreekmeester of Canada Goose believes the new law will soon benefit all Canadians. Counterfeiting is a $650 billion a year global problem. In Canada, counterfeit goods are in every industry from over-the-counter drugs to computer devices, including but not limited to alcohol, contact lenses and cosmetics, to smart phones, medicine, toys and batteries.  According to RCMP, counterfeit products are becoming a threat to the health and safety to Canadians.

Opinion

Have you ever had a friend who will point out to you a counterfeit item on another person?  What were your thoughts?  How about what else on him/her were fake. I've known people who have purchased counterfeit products.  In fact, they would tell me only idiots pay retail.  They believe buying a knockoff item is harmless.  The thought of owning anything fake has never appeal to me.  The only way for me to purchase a counterfeit product -- is being duped.  Personally, I’d rather pick a no-name over a knock-off.  Don’t get me wrong, I love quality brands.  But not enough to own a fake.  What worries me the most, is products appears to be real even with a trained eye you cannot tell the difference.  The way I see it, the phrase 'fake-it-till-you-make-it,' is way overrated.         

Questions and Feedback

Do you believe counterfeit products are here to stay?  Can you tell a fake from an original?  What do you think, Can a $650 billion counterfeit industry be too-big-to-stop?

References:

CNW PR newswire company (2014, October 2), Canada Goose applauds passage of Combating Counterfeit Products Act in Canadian House of Commons.  Retrieved from URL: [Online Newswire] http://cnw.ca/m4U6X