2007 Annual Business Development Report - Niagara Falls, Ontario ...

2007 Business Development Report22Collier Technologies launches stainlesssteel Corvette replacement frameCollier Technologies Inc. celebrated the officiallaunch of their new Corvette replacement frameson Sunday, July 22, 2007 during an Open Houseevent held at their Progress Street engineeringfacility. Corvette enthusiasts were on hand forthe unveiling of the new stainless steel undercarriagesthat will help extend the lifespan ofC2 and C3 model Corvettes made between 1963and 1982.Collier Technologies came up with the ideafor the niche product after conversations withNorth American Corvette owners. OwnersBob Collier and his brother Rick learned thatmany collectors had Corvettes in their garageswhere the bodies, engine and drivetrains wereperfect, yet the frame had rusted or rotted-outand rendered the car unsafe to drive. Being carenthusiasts themselves, the Collier brothersrecognized the opportunity to fill the need fora quality Corvette replacement frame while atthe same time, diversify the product line of theirengineering and manufacturing firm.Development of the traditional steel andstainless steel frames took approximately twoyears to complete.Collier Technologies’ in-house engineeringdivision utilized industry leading computersoftware to engineer the superior quality C2 andC3 replacement frames. The frames have alsoundergone extensive performance and durabilitytesting and come with a 100% quality guaranteefrom Collier.Collier’s Corvette replacement frames areavailable in both powder coated carbon steeland stainless steel construction. Models includeC2 (1963-1967) with original suspension; C2(1963-1967) with C4 (1984-1996) suspensionmounting points; C3 (1968-1982) with originalsuspension; and C3 (1968-1982) with C4(1984-1996) suspension mounting points.The advanced manufacturing and engineeringcompany is headquartered in NiagaraFalls and specializes in custom design buildfabrications.www.CollierTechnologies.comwww.davert.orgNiagara Falls industrial businessescelebrate anniversaries in 2007City Council officially recognized several localbusinesses for their achievements and strong,significant history in Niagara Falls. The BusinessRecognition Awards are bestowed uponbusinesses in Niagara Falls who have contributedto the growth and development of the Cityof Niagara Falls in a positive manner. The Mayor,City Council and Business Development Departmentrecognize long-standing local businesseson an on-going basis several times each year.The 2007 Business Recognition Award recipientsinclude:• Bissell Ltd. (100 years)In the mid 1800’s Anna and Melville Bissellshifted their small crockery shop in Michiganin a new direction. Anna presented aproblem to Melville that picking up after theunpacking of the crockery was not only difficult,but contributed to Melville’s allergenicreaction to dust. Melville, being mechanicallyinclined, invented a solution - his new “carpetsweeper machine.” His ingenious designwas a success and word of Melville Bissell’ scarpet sweeper spread quickly. In 1876, theBissell Carpet Sweeper was patented and in1883 the first manufacturing plant opened inMichigan.Following Melville’s untimely death in 1889,Anna stepped in and confidently took controlof the company, becoming America’s firstfemale corporate CEO. Under Anna’s aggressiveand innovate management, Bissell soonbegan to look into new product developmentand expanded their business to service clientsaround the world.In 1894 the Bissell Company founded aCanadian branch briefly in Hamilton andwithin the year opened on Pearl Street,Toronto, Ontario. In 1907, Melville Bissell Jr.,who was the manager of the Toronto factory,discovered a vacant industrial building inNiagara Falls during his short holiday stay inthe city. Bissell purchased the former Peasley