TEVIOTDALE – Bosman Homefront celebrated 25 years in business and the grand opening of a local manufacturing facility with an open house on April 29.
The event included tours of the facility, history displays, seminars and prize draws.
Bosman Homefront retails a variety of outdoor structures ranging from gazebos and garden sheds to garages and playhouses. Many of the products are sold as kits, but the company also does installation when requested.
Owner and founder Ed Bosman told the Community News the company supplies products across Ontario and Quebec.
“We have also shifted into some of the eastern provinces. We have a gazebo actually in the Yukon Territory. And we’ve also shipped out to BC,” he noted.
While much of the inventory at Bosman is brought in from outside suppliers, the company recently began manufacturing some of the products at its Teviotdale location.
“The gazebo and sunrooms are the hardest thing to make. It’s kind of a unique product with lots of unique angles, and so on … And it’s got to be pristine. So we’re starting to make those here ourselves,” said Bosman.
“And we make those gazebos and sunrooms to fit your needs, whatever size you’re looking for in your backyard.”
Bosman said the products help people to enjoy their surroundings.
“Once you have something that protects you from the elements, it brings you outdoors and you’re going to enjoy the great outdoors,” he stated.
Bosman said the company has grown from a staff of two in the beginning, to about 20 today.
During remarks preceding a ribbon cutting, Minto Mayor Dave Turton said the business is an “economic engine” in the local community.
“You’re over 20 employees and that’s a wonderful thing. On behalf of our staff, and council in Minto, Mapleton and Wellington North, we appreciate you being here,” said Turton.
“It’s great to see small businesses in rural Ontario thriving and growing,” said Perth-Wellington MPP Matt Rae.
“And I know you have ambitious plans for the future. And I wish you all the best and much success in the years to come.”
“It really is a testament to 25 years of hard work to make this business such a success today and be able to celebrate this with members of your family members of community and folks who worked here, work here currently, and all the people who are part of the community,” said Perth-Wellington MP John Nater.
“We want to say thank you to all of our customers that we have dealt with since the beginning. I want to say thank you to our staff, past and present, for helping to make this goal a reality. You have been part of our vision,” said Bosman.
“Business is more than making a profit. It’s about what you offer and how it touches people’s lives. Our business is focused on providing gathering places for family and friends to come together under a gazebo to protect from the sun and the rain, a pergola to give shade, a sunroom to protect from mosquitoes and wind, a shed to store stuff in, or a garage to park in, or, best of all, furniture to sit in.”
