the Business Improvement Award as well
the New Investment Award, the first time
ever two awards were given in one year.
Despite the growing workforce, hiring
skilled labourers continues to be a prob-
lem that impacts not only Volkaert’s com-
pany, but the entire manufacturing indus-
try. Since J/E is not located in a large urban
centre, acquiring skilled labourers willing
to work in Tillsonburg is difficult to do.
“That’s why we go out of our way to treat
employees with respect and provide a cul-
ture where people like coming into work,”
Volkaert said.
If diversification is one key driver behind
the company’s success, but family culture
is the other. According to Volkaert, it is one
of the reasons employees tend to stick
around for a long time. “They like to come
to work and they like to do a good job,” he
MARCH 2017
H
business elite canada 51
