A 40th anniversary celebration for AarKel Tool and Die Inc. was held on Saturday in Wallaceburg.
Many of their 175 employees, plus their families and members of the public, were in attendance as kid’s activities, plant tours and a barbecue was held to help mark the occasion.
Iqbal Kassam, the owner of AarKel, told the Sydenham Current he thought it was a great turn out.
“Above my expectations,” he said.
“Not only families but extended families, which is wonderful to see.”
Kassam announced on Saturday over $100,000 in profits, which will be shared among the employees.
“I am a great believer that happy employees make happy customers and that makes shareholders happy,” he said.
“It has to be in that order. You can’t put shareholders first. You need to put employees first. I believe we need to share with the employees and if we can share with the employees, not only on occasions like this, but on an annual basis like profit sharing, then they feel part of ownership.”
Kassam, whose company Zynik Capital Corp. bought AarKel four years ago, said AarKel is planning for continued growth.
They recently purchased Platinum Tool, who has plants in Windsor and Mexico.
“We are growing as much as we can,” Kassam said, adding that they do see a shortage in skilled labour.
“We could recruit more and more people and grow faster and faster. What I am suggesting to the Mayor is that we do something together to make young people realize that being a tool maker is the scarcest commodity today and tomorrow they can write their ticket to success if they get into the industry today.”
For more information about the company, visit their website here: www.aarkel.com
Here are some photos from the day:
– Photo credit: Tami Eagen
– With files from Tami Eagen
