Centrallia, Global Business Forum - a Futurallia event by ANIM

Congratulations to RITZ Machine Works Inc. Winner of the Celebrate Manitoba Grand Prize!

Press Release

Owners: Rick Ilnisky and Tom Zaporzan
Founded in: 1998
Location: Dauphin, Manitoba
Employees: 23
Sales: $2 Million Annual
Profile: RITZ Machine Works is a production manufacturer of metal components servicing Original Equipment Manufacturers.
www.ritzmachine.com

It’s been over 10 years since Manitobans Rick Ilnisky and Tom Zaporzan put their initials together to create RITZ Machine Works Inc.

With Rick’s background in mechanical engineering and Tom’s background in power engineering and welding, and a common desire to be their own bosses, they decided to open a manufacturing facility in their hometown of Dauphin, Manitoba. RITZ specializes in bent tube components offering capabilities including machining, welding and power-coating.

Their clients include manufacturers in automotive, transportation, agricultural, and mining.

Things are going well for the company that has gone from a handful of employees at first to a current staff of 23. But there are challenges. One of the biggest is finding trained, skilled workers that are willing to settle in Dauphin, a community of about 8000 residents, located 336 kilometers west of Manitoba’s capital. In the past, they’ve travelled as far as Germany to recruit workers.

According to Rick Ilnisky, Centrallia 2010 could be an excellent opportunity to make contacts with businesses that might be able to help them find workers. “The fact that it’s going to take place right here in Manitoba is a wonderful opportunity for a small business like ours… Instead of us having to go again all the way to Germany or somewhere else, to be able to do this locally is wonderful.”

Being in a rural area poses marketing obstacles as well. “Centrallia 2010 could be an excellent opportunity to make contacts with businesses that might require our services,” believes Ilnisky.

RITZ looks forward to Centrallia and the possibility of diversifying its customer base. New customers often demand development of processes that can in turn be offered to existing customers. Being able to offer a variety of product configurations and to solve their customers problems is a strength the Dauphin, Manitoba based company intends to market further.

RITZ Machine Works is happy to have won the Celebrate Manitoba contest and is looking forward to getting connected at Centrallia 2010. Ilnisky raves, “I think Centrallia will be a good opportunity for us.”

For more information, contact:

Suzanne Druwé, Communications Director
ANIM (Agence nationale et internationale du Manitoba)
219 Provencher Blvd., 3rd Floor
St. Boniface, Manitoba
Canada R2H 0G4
Telephone: (204) 253-4888 ext. 107
Toll Free: 1 877 484-9931

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