Newly Named Circle Home Furniture Bank Expands Support to Newcomer Families

Jim Estill, owner of Danby Appliances, acquires Arctic Snowplows, a 55-year-old Canadian manufacturer. The acquisition aims to preserve Canadian manufacturing, with Arctic Snowplows remaining a standalone entity within the Estill corporate structure. Mike Schulz is appointed as President to oversee operations. This move strengthens Estill’s presence in the manufacturing sector, aligning with his commitment to keeping skilled trades in Canada.

LONDON, ON, Jan. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Jim Estill, Owner of Danby Appliances, announced that he has purchased Arctic Snowplows, a 55 year old Canadian manufacturer of plows, plow partners and spreaders built to fight winter in the True North. This acquisition further solidifies Estill’s mission of keeping manufacturing and skilled trades in Canada.

June 20, 2023, Guelph, ON: Over the past 12 months, a storefront warehouse at 127 Woolwich Street has provided more than 120 newcomer families from Afghanistan, Ukraine and Syria with the furniture and housewares they need to establish their homes in Guelph and neighbouring communities. While the volunteer-run space was established in late 2021 as part of Danby’s preparations to sponsor 50 Afghan refugee families, the scope of the warehouse quickly grew to help the Guelph community welcome Ukrainian newcomers displaced by the war and to support other newcomer families being settled through Danby’s continuing sponsorship program.

Recognizing the growing need for this community service, Danby has secured and sponsored the warehouse space on an ongoing basis and named it the “Circle Home Furniture Bank”. As Danby CEO Jim Estill explains: “As I have visited with families Danby has sponsored, I’ve witnessed how important it is to provide newcomers with the comfort, dignity, and stability of a furnished home. I’m grateful for all the donors and volunteers who have supported our furniture collections and temporary warehouse spaces since Danby began sponsoring refugees in 2016. I am delighted to partner with the volunteer team at 127 Woolwich Street to establish the Circle Home Furniture Bank as an ongoing resource for newcomer families.”

The storefront warehouse is managed by a small team of volunteers who work in consultation with Danby Refugee Program Administrator Blaire Rennie. Donations of furniture and housewares are received by appointment and newcomers and their sponsors visit the warehouse by appointment to choose what they need.

Thanks to generous community support, including a significant donation from the Stokes store at Stone Road Mall, and Canadian Tire on Stone Road, the warehouse is currently well stocked with dishes, cutlery, mugs and glasses. To meet the immediate needs of the incoming families the warehouse team is currently focusing on collecting essential furniture: apartment-sized sofas, love seats and armchairs; queen, double, twin and bunk beds (used mattresses cannot be accepted); dining and kitchen tables and chairs; bureaus and student-sized desks; small appliances (toasters, coffee makers, kettles, irons) and dish sets and linens (sheet sets and towels). Items must be new or gently used, free from stains, tears, odours or damage. Donations are received by appointment during volunteer shifts on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, and Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

To meet the growing demand, the Circle Home Furniture Bank is currently seeking volunteers to fill various roles: to receive and help organize donated furniture during regular three-hour shifts, welcome and assist newcomer families and their sponsors, track incoming and outgoing items, and manage social media. Training and orientation is provided.

Danby’s sponsorship of the Circle Home Furniture Bank represents another chapter in Jim Estill’s continuing commitment to serving and supporting families in need. Working in partnership with local volunteers, organizations and the federal government, Danby’s refugee sponsorship program has helped settle hundreds of newcomer families, helping them find and furnish homes, secure employment, and start their new lives in and around Guelph.

Recently, a newcomer family expressed their thanks in this handwritten note “We sincerely appreciate your help in furnishing our new home. Thank you for extending a helping hand during difficult time for us.”

To learn more about donating furniture or selected housewares to the Circle Home Furniture Bank please visit https://www.danby.com/circle-home-furniture-bank/. To explore volunteer opportunties visit https://www.danby.com/refugee-program/volunteer/.

Contact Information
For further information, or to arrange a tour of the warehouse:

Blaire Rennie, Danby Refugee Program Administrator [email protected]

About Danby Appliances
Founded in 1947, Danby is one of North America’s leading manufacturers and distributors of compact appliances, such as microwaves, dehumidifiers, refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners. For more information on Danby and its products, please visit https://www.danby.com. Follow Danby on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

“The Estill corporate structure continues to grow in the manufacturing space. I am excited to have Arctic Snowplows a 50+ year old Canadian company as part of the portfolio, and growing the Arctic team’s legacy,” said Jim Estill. “There are economies of scale in the manufacturing space that can be realized by bringing under one house. Many synergies can be realized through learning and collaboration. We are excited about the best practices and growth that are to be recognized as we continue to grow organically and through acquisition,” noted Estill.

As part of this acquisition, is the appointment of Mike Schulz as President of Arctic Snowplow. With over 30 years of sales and sales management experience, Schulz brings with him extensive knowledge on growing brands and driving sales execution across North America. Most recently as head of North American consumer sales at Danby Appliances, he will be overseeing the day-to-day operations, bringing stewardship and servant leadership to Arctic Snowplows, ensuring continued growth and success. “I look forward to working with the Arctic Team to grow and continue to foster a culture of servant leadership and teamwork to grow nationally”, said Mike Schulz, incoming President of Arctic Snowplows.

Arctic Snowplow, as part of the Estill company portfolio, is committed to maintaining the high standards of quality, customer service, and innovation that they are known for, solidifying their positions as leaders in the industry. The Estill corporate structure is led by Jim Estill, and is made up of these Canadian companies; Danby Appliances, DDE Media, Valcom and most recently Arctic Snowplow. The acquisition was advised by Don McKinnon of Ernst & Young Orenda.

If you want to learn more about Artic Snow Plows click here: Home | Arctic Snowplows | Chasse-neige Arct

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