2001 New Pioneers Awards SfCarchive
Channel: SkillsforchangeArchive SfC
Date: 2009-12-30

Harinder Takhar (Entrepreneurship)

India born Harinder Takhar arrived in Canada in 1974 with a Masters degree in Economics and Political Science and little money. Unable to find employment in the financial sector, he worked in a factory while studying for a Certified Management Accountant designation.

In 1982, he joined Timex Canada Inc. where he became the company's CFO. From there he moved to Linear Technology Inc./Gennum Corporation as Vice President, Finance and Operations before joining Agra Industries Ltd. as Vice President and CFO.

Harinders entrepreneurial interest began with Chalmers Suspensions Inc., a truck and trailer suspension systems company facing financial difficulties. By overcoming the seasonality of the business and expanding year-round sales and distribution networks, annual sales have grown to $30 million from $2.7 million in 2000.

Harinder encourages employees to upgrade their professional qualifications and covers all costs involved. Currently, The Chalmers Group has three other companies: a specialty medical products company in Richmond, BC, a specialty manufacturing company and a fabricated metal bin manufacturing company, both located in the U.S. The Chalmers Group annual sales are in excess of $50 million and its 185 employees are eligible for profit sharing based on company performance.

His community involvement is as impressive as his success as an entrepreneur. As Chair of the United Way of Peel, he used his business acumen to steer the debt ridden umbrella organization to one with a significant reserve fund. He is an executive member of the Board of Directors for the Credit Valley Hospital and Chair and Treasurer of the hospital's Resource Committee. He is the founding member and president of the International Punjabi Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Board of Directors of the Education Safety Association of Ontario.