Dispatch: November 27, 2020

Dispatch: A summary of recent business appointments and announcements, plus upcoming events for the week ahead

Photo: Gerry Macartney, CEO of the London Chamber of Commerce, has announced his retirement

Appointments & Announcements:

CLOSING: St. Thomas based auto parts plant GKN Sinter Metals, resulting in the loss of more than 150 jobs. The plant will wind down production over the next 18 months.

AWARDED: With a 14th annual Pillar Community Innovation Award: The Atrium Project (Community Innovation); Arielle Kayabaga (Community Leadership); Dribbling Down Barriers (Community Impact); Free Rides for Essential Workers (Community Collaboration); and Andrew’s Legacy (Community Choice).

ANNOUNCED: The Ontario government has approved plans for Carepoint, a supervised drug-use site at 446 York Street. Anticipated opening is late fall of 2021.

RETIRING: London Chamber of Commerce CEO, Gerry Macartney, has announced he is retiring, effective February 26, 2020.

NAMED: Four Western faculty have been named to the Highly Cited Researchers 2020 list, released by Clarivate: Materials engineering professor X.A. (Andy) Sun (Materials Science category), Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry professor Brian Feagan (Clinical Medicine category), biology professor Danielle Way (Plant and Animal Science category) and Ivey Business School professor Klaus Meyer (Economics and Business category).

APPOINTED: Keith Murray has been named vice-president of operations at automotive software company AutoVerify (a division of Mobials Inc.).

ANNOUNCED: By Carfax Canada, release of an updated design of their Vehicle History Reports, making it easier for consumers to understand a vehicle’s past and view pertinent buying information.

ACQUIRED: Digital marketing firm Arcane, by Toronto-based technology marketing firm Republix. Arcane will continue to operate independently in London.

ANNOUNCED: Labatt Breweries of Canada has announced it will begin brewing Corona and Stella Artois brands at its London brewery in 2021. It’s the first time the brands have been brewed in Canada.

NAMED: As one of the 2020 winners of the Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures: Digital Extremes (Growth category) and Carfax Canada (Mid-Market category).

LAUNCHING: On December 1, the 2020 Business Cares Food Drive annual food collection campaign.

RECEIVED: By King’s University College, a $1-million donation from the estate of former chief librarian, Elizabeth Russell, which will be used to improve accessibility for patrons, enhance technology and improve study space. In recognition, the first floor of the Library will be named the Elizabeth Russell Achievement Centre.

CLOSING: Kensal Rental at 309 Springbank Drive, at the end of 2020.

RECEIVED: Exar Studios, working with TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario and Old East Village BIA, has been selected as a recipient in the Digital Main Street Lab funding program, focused on collaborations that spark transformations for main streets. Through their Engage app, Exar will develop a OEV historic and cultural learning adventure in augmented reality (AR).

NAMED: As one of Canada’s Top 100 Recovery Projects by online publication Future of Good: The (Rebuild) Roster by technology talent connector platform from TechAlliance and Green Dime, a proposed renewable energy company by fourth-year Western University students.

Events:

November 27: Socialpreneur Chats: Monthly Drop-in Discussion

December 1: Small Business Centre Accounting Advice

December 1: Business Cares Food Drive 2020 campaign kick-off

December 1: Small Business Centre Starting a Small Business Webinar

December 2: Small Business Centre Human Resources Advice

December 2: Community Conversation: Race and Employment

December 2: Increasing Your Visibility Online Webinar

December 3: Government Funding Options for ERP

December 3: Info Session London Spark Program