Felder Group Canada CEO Andreas Gombaez
“We are celebrating our 15th year in Canada and I remember it all very well,” says Felder Group Canada CEO Andreas Gombaez.
“It was an interesting beginning,” he says with a laugh. “I was handed the key to an empty warehouse and that’s how it began.
“That was in the same location where we still are today, at 1745 Meyerside Dr. in Mississauga, Ontario.
“Back then we just had Unit 4, but since then we have added two additional units,” Gombaez says.
“And our timing was tricky as well, because this was in 2007, just as the big recession was about to hit. But I suppose you could say it didn’t’ really matter, because if you have a great product, people will buy it, recession or not.”
“So, we started receiving containers and setting up our showroom to display our products for our customers. We also hired some staff as well of course, including technicians, to be ready to support our products,” he says.
“There we were, a small, dedicated group of people, a small showroom and a small warehouse, but that was enough to get started and we never looked back. First in Ontario and then right across the country.”
Today, Felder Group Canada has additional offices in Calgary and Montreal and they have established dealers in Manitoba and British Columbia.
“I really have to give credit to our team,” Gombaez says.
“From logistics and service and sales, it’s a really dedicated group and that is key, because it is so important to have the right people.
It starts with helping customers make the right decisions in their machinery purchases and then offer strong after-sales support right across the country.
“It’s been a great 15 years and we want to continue to grow with our customers and help them operate successful and profitable businesses.”
And Felder continues to develop new and innovative machines, such as the PCS system (Preventive Contact System), which prevents accidents by detecting the risk of an accident and then lowers the saw blade under the panel saw table at incredible speed. The entire process takes just a fraction of a second and is absolutely non-destructive. That system also won the Challengers Award at this year’s IWF in Atlanta.
“I really want to thank our customers who have made all of this possible,” he says.
