RELEASED: May 31, 2015
For almost 15 years, On the Water Designs, just north of Orillia, has been making waves in the custom-dock market.
The company works in dock manufacturing, sales, accessories and installation.
“We manufacture innovative aluminum docks — everything from pole docks to floating docks and tower docks,” said company general manager Brandon Jewitt, whose parents, Dave MacDonald and Mary McTavish, founded the company. “We have three crews of installers who are kept busy from the moment the ice goes out throughout the summer.”
The company has also recently started manufacturing wood docks.
“Aluminum docks are lighter, they don’t rust or rot … but some people just prefer the look and feel of wood docks, so we now manufacture our own wood docks to appeal to those people.”
Jewitt said the team of 15 full-time employees are dock and marine experts who “have the tools and flexibility to work with clients to ensure their new dock system fits their needs and their budget.”
On the Water Designs also sells boat and personal watercraft lifts, marine railway systems, swim rafts, dock hardware and accessories such as dock ladders, cleats, bumpers and solar lights. In addition to its Highway 11 location — formerly home to Bauhaus Docks and Muskoka Leisure Docks — the docks are sold by a network of hand-picked dealers in Ontario, eastern Canada, as far west as Edmonton and in the United States.
The company is grateful to the Orillia Area Community Development Corporation (CDC) for its help in the evolution of the business. Jewitt said the agency was essential in providing seed money that was needed to start the enterprise.
“We wouldn’t be where we are today without the help of the CDC,” he said, noting he and his staff have also taken advantage of training and seminars presented by the agency. “The mentorship program they are developing is perfect for companies like us … They have been great to work with since Day 1.”
For more information about business coaching, professional development or business loans with the CDC, call 705-325-4903 or visit orilliacdc.com.
The CDC is a federally supported not-for-profit organization, working with community partners to develop and sustain the local economy through business financing, business counselling and community economic development projects.
Source: Packet & Times