staff newsletter
Bill Toutant
A Heartfelt Thank You and Exciting News for the New Year!
As we approach the end of another remarkable year, I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you. Your hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment have been the driving force behind our collective success.
As I've mentioned before, I am incredibly excited about the future of ABI, and it is with great pleasure that I announce a Townhall on January 18th at 7:30 AM. This gathering will be an opportunity to highlight the new developments we've made with Karmadharma, showcasing the strides we've taken together and the exciting path that lies ahead.
I encourage all of you to join us for this important event as we come together to celebrate our achievements, discuss our vision for the future, and foster an even stronger sense of community within ABI.
In the spirit of the upcoming festivities, I want to wish each of you a well-deserved and rejuvenating week off. Take this time to rest, recharge, and spend quality moments with your loved ones.
Happy Holidays to you and your families! I look forward to the great things we will achieve together in the coming year.
DECEMBER 2023
Holiday Party
Busy Times Ahead! A Glimpse Into Our recent Activities and Exciting Developments
As we move into Government Year End, we find ourselves amid our exceptionally busy period. As it stands, we are now booking jobs into February. To ensure we stay on top of our commitments, we've enlisted the support of four different Sub-Contractors. This allows us to maintain the quality and efficiency our clients expect, helping us meet the demands of our growing workload.
Product Training: Elevating Our Expertise in Systems Furniture
We recognize that the strength of our team directly impacts the quality of service we provide. As the demands and dynamics of our industry evolve, investing in our people becomes not just a priority, but a necessity. Training is the cornerstone of professional development, and item powers our team to stay ahead of the curve, ensuring that we deliver excellence in every project.
We've observed an increase in Canadian Content focused Furniture Bids (PSIB), reflecting a growing demand for locally sourced and manufactured solutions. In November, a small group of Installers, Project Coordinators, and members of the CAD Department, participated in Systems Product Training hosted by Artopex. This training was geared towards enhancing our knowledge and skills, ensuring that we deliver top-notch results as we prepare to install two floors of Systems furniture soon.
Also, this month we were delighted to host Kris Napior, the new Haworth Tech representative, for an insightful visit. Kris's expertise proved invaluable as he addressed wire management challenges on our Compose Echo Desks in the CAD area. This collaborative effort ensures that our workspaces are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional.
Kris also took the time to visit some of our job sites, witnessing our team in action. One notable installation involved six (6) Hush Phone Booths and one (1) Hush Meet. Kris's firsthand experience allows us to align our practices with the latest industry standards and innovations.
We are excited about the positive impact this training will have on our operations and, ultimately, on the satisfaction of our clients in the future.
Operations Update
Community Involvement
Congratulations, Mike Begin!
We would like to congratulate Mike and his wife Rhiannon on the birth of their baby girl, Gwendolyn Grace, born Oct 11th at 10:20pm, 5lb 15oz.
Employee Highlights
This coming year, we would like to make it a priority to giving back. Currently, we are in the process of collecting donations for the Ottawa Christmas Hamper Project.
We understand that this time of year is especially difficult for those around our community, so we as a company have graciously agreed to sponsor two underprivileged families. We are currently halfway to our goal of $1100. There is no donation big or small, if you have not yet done so, and are able, please consider donating via e-transfer to Sue (susieqhunter@gmail.com).
We would like to acknowledge Sue and her efforts in spearheading this initiative!
Starting The Year Off Right!
Dress for Success is well-known for its mission to empower women by providing them with the tools and support needed to thrive in the workplace and beyond. For the 2nd year in a row, ABI is partnering with Dress for Success to support women in their professional and personal development!
We will be reaching out to the A&D Community to collect purses filled with valuable items like sewing kits, feminine hygiene products, lipstick, pantyhose, etc. This not only contributes to Dress for Success's mission, but also ensures that the contributions are practical and address a range of needs.
Keep an eye out for an upcoming email from Sofia and Shannon, on how employees can participate in filling a few purses on behalf of ABI and supporting this charitable cause.
Newest Additions
Ryan Feltmate
Architectural Interiors
Diana Camargo
Workplace Planning & Design
Karina Shank
Order Management
Lisa Momy
Reception
Stephen Toutant
Operations
Corey Lewis
Operations
Lingqui Tan
Operations
Lina Asili
Sales (Montreal)
Kathia Thibault
Admin (Montreal)
Click each employee name to find out more about your new coworkers!
Ryan Feltmate
Architectural Interiors
What did you do before ABI?
I was a Chef. Opened a restaurant at the age of 21 called St. Martha’s Brasserie D’Orleans, and a second a few years later. Both French restaurants. In 2016 I left them behind to work in Italian restaurants and did so as the Chef of a quaint place called DiVino Wine Studio on Preston street. I decided to go back to school in 2019, and took the Architectural technology program which led me into a few different design, management, and deck construction jobs. My final position before starting at ABI was as Construction Project Manager for Hickory Dickory Decks.
Favourite TV Show?
No single favourite, but I like my sc-fi and fantasy shows. And can be found watching anime as well. Two top shows would be Stargate SG-1 and Avatar The Last Airbender.
Favourite musical artist/genre you are listening to right now?
Odesza, Shinedown, Rum Ragged, It's all over the place and never stays on a single artist or style. Could be mood dependent, could be anything for no reason at all.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I am a tinkerer so am always up to projects around the house, but am an avid gardener and plant daddy year round, love cooking and collecting wine, and playing games (video, card, board) with friends.
Joel DiBartolo
Real Estate Update
As we’ve mentioned in the past, our lease on St. Laurent expires at the end of October, 2025. Both ABI and the industry have changed significantly over the almost two decades that we’ve been in this building. Changes in the market and our restructuring of the remanufacturing division have reduced our warehouse space requirements, and we feel that a smaller, more intimate showroom would be a better environment to show our current range of products. Consequently, we’ve begun working with our real estate advisers to find a suitable location for a small (~ 6,000 square foot) downtown showroom. If we can find the right location, we hope to have it open by the end of summer 2024. While it might seem strange to be thinking about opening up downtown when we still hear stories about the reduced activity in the core, our two major competitors, Teknion Direct and Burovision, have facilities downtown, and leaders in the design community have told us that customers would find it much more convenient to visit our showroom if it was located closer to our competition.
As for the office and warehouse, it’s a bit early to start the search for a new building, but we will begin in earnest by April of next year. We’ll be looking to reduce our current square footage, with a smaller, more efficiently laid out warehouse and enough office space to comfortably house our current and future staff. One of our prerequisites is that we remain in the same general area, so our commute to work should not change significantly.
We’ll continue to update you on our progress as we have more information to communicate.
Diana Camargo
Workspace Design Specialist
What did you do before ABI?
I have been most of the time designing, activity that I love and enjoy the most. I have a background in Architecture in Colombia, where I had the opportunity to create and transform projects for more than 10 years. Before ABI, I was working in an interior design firm, working on residential projects.
Favourite TV Show?
I will skip that question because probably nobody is going to know what I’m talking about hahaha. But I like to watch anything design/cooking related.
Favourite musical artist/genre you are listening to right now?
I am a melomaniac and I have two genres that I listen to the most and probably opposite: classical music and salsa.
What do you like to do outside of work?
A Toddler mom has little free time left, but I love to go for walks with my dog while enjoying the weather (yes, even winter) and exploring nearby towns.
Karina Shank
Order Management
What did you do before ABI?
Before ABI I was working as a reverse logistics coordinator at a home delivery company.
Favourite TV Show?
One of my favourite TV shows would be Life in Pieces.
Favourite musical artist/genre you are listening to right now?
I listen to all sorts of music but my favourite artist at the moment is Noah Kahan.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Outside of work I like to paint, hike and go to concerts.
Lisa Momy
Reception
What did you do before ABI?
I worked in at medical center in pediatrics as a nurse assistant/ administrator. I also always did hairstyling but turned it into more of a weekend job.
Favourite TV Show?
I don’t have a favourite, but I really liked Chicago Med & Police.
Favourite musical artist/genre you are listening to right now?
I’d say I listen to a lot of R&B music both old and new.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I really like discovering new places. Trying new foods and going for hikes.
Corey Lewis
Operations
What did you do before ABI?
Teknion furniture and walls systems, for around 7 years and a course other furniture and walls system sprinkled in there throughout the years.
Favourite TV Show?
In the long term, I have to say the Trailer Park Boys I have watched all of the seasons multiple times, watched the movies, even watched the black and white prequel to season one. In the short term, Netflix's Wednesday Season 1, it had a really good production value and was a very good addition to the Adams Family catalogue of shows and movies. Can't wait for season 2.
Favourite musical artist/genre you are listening to right now?
This is a hard question for me because I love music and I listen to all types of genres of music. But what has been on repeat the most this year, I would have to say Morgan Wallen (A country artist) albums and my favorite song from him right now would be 'Thought You Should Know'. Honorable mentions I would have to say one of the best rappers out there would be Brother Ali, which I have been listen to him since 2012 and for rock, I have to say a band by the name of The Pretty Reckless, that I have had on repeat for the last couple of months.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Things that I like to do outside of work is when I have the time go looking for new music, try to follow the politics of Canada and around the world, go for walks and runs when my body doesn't hurt and a course just relax and watch movies and TV and spend time with the family.
Stephen Toutant
Operations
What did you do before ABI?
I was a Dinning Room and Patio server at The Keg Restaurant & Bar in the market.
Favourite TV Show?
It’s tough to pick one but I’d say Curb Your Enthusiasm
Favourite musical artist/genre you are listening to right now?
Right now I'm listening to OutKast. I enjoy different genres such as Electronic, Rock, R&B, Hip Hop and Funk.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Golfing and Biking throughout the summer and skiing in the winter.
Lingqui Tan
Operations
What did you do before ABI?
I came from China last year and I work for a renovation company for a short time and have some temporary jobs before I came to ABI .
Favourite TV Show?
I don't watch TV often, but I love some serials like Game of Thrones, the Big Bang Theory.
Favourite musical artist/genre you are listening to right now?
I usually listen to some pop songs, but, sometimes , i like some chorus and piano which can make me relaxed and feel peaceful.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Since I have two kids, I spent most of my time to take care of them and don't have much time for myself, but I want to learn some winter sports, like skiing, snow boarding, if I can spare some time.
Kathia Thibeault
Admin (Montreal)
What did you do before ABI?
I worked in customer service in a small business called Fromagerie Tradition, a small family own cheese store located on the South shore of Montreal.
Favourite TV Show?My guilty pleasure; Stranger Things on loop.Favourite musical artist/genre you are listening to right now?
Indie is my main genre. Artist wise Djo and The Amazing Devil are my tops.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Figure skating and sewing are my main hobbies.
Lina Asili
Sales (Montreal)
What did you do before ABI?
I graduated with an Interior Design degree from University of Montreal, and then worked for almost 2 years in an Architecture and Design firm (AMA).
Favourite TV Show?Parks & RecreationFavourite musical artist/genre you are listening to right now?
Faouzia
What do you like to do outside of work?
I paint & draw, I also take dance classes.
DECEMBER 2023
Anniversaries
A big congratulations to the following employees for your hard work, passion, and dedication to ABI! Each one of you have truly made a difference. Here's to many more years!
5
years
10
years
15
years
25
years
30
years
Amanda Martindale
Sofia Polimenakos
Jeffery Lessard
Fernando I. Barcelos
Genevieve Brochu
Alice Smith
Samantha Glover
Kevin Organ
Don Churchill
Steven Roy
Heather Royer
Richard Parise
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