News Release Archive
ECONOMIC RENEWAL--SKIDS MATS SUCCESS STORY
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Bill Skidmore's idea of re-cycling discarded tires "rolled"
around in his head for a few years. When he left his job in
the mining industry he seized the opportunity to put his
ideas into action.
Working from a building leased on a "good will" basis, he
established his Stellarton business, Skids Mats, in August
1994, manufacturing colourful floor mats from old tires.
Despite his intent to "tread" warily, steady sales prompted
him to move into his own building. In December 1994, he
applied for a $4,000 first step loan from the Nova Scotia
Economic Renewal Agency's community business loan program to
help with an expansion to increase production volume. He
also expanded his production line to include flower-pots,
firewood carriers, bait washers for lobster traps and
childrens' cradle-swings that look like horses - all made
from used tires.
While rubber floor mats from used tires may seem to
represent a unique twist on a current wave of environmental
products, there is nothing new about the process. "Ken Wyman
invented the system about 46 years ago in New York,"
explained Mr. Skidmore. So while he has no immediate
competition in Pictou County, his unusual trade is not alone
in North America.
Recently, Mr. Skidmore travelled to New York, Kentucky and
North Carolina to pick up supplies, make business
connections and get new ideas. "I've seen exhibitions of
dartboards, lawn games and even jewellery, all made from
used tires," he said. The number of possible applications is
only limited by the imagination.
However, the work is labour-intensive. Using cutting and
wire-bending equipment, Mr. Skidmore takes about two hours
to complete a recycled garbage can. Even though he is able
to make several at a time, he admits "there are not enough
hours in a day."
"A couple of contracts could mean I'll have to hire two or
three employees," he said. So far, he is busy selling to
local shops, craft sales and flea markets and has generated
interest from hardware and furniture stores.
The trick is to make the appropriate products for the time
of year. "Sales are quite seasonal. The mats and flower pots
sell well in spring, the swings do well in the summer and
I've sold firewood carriers as far away as B.C. in the
winter," explained Mr. Skidmore.
His imagination has not stopped working yet - he has some
unusual projects in mind for the future. "I'd like to make
picnic tables and lawn furniture. . .although that will
require the large truck tires," he said. Nearby Michelin
Tire's Granton plant and Eastern Tires Ltd., provide Mr.
Skidmore with a steady supply of raw materials.
"Mr. Skidmore is putting a waste product to profitable good
use, at the same time as developing further employment
potential and contributing to the local economy. It's a
model of community economic development and shows the type
of initiative the community business loan program is
designed to support," said Economic Renewal Minister Robert
Harrison.
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Contact: Linda Laffin 902-424-8922
Bill Skidmore 902-752-3997
trp Nov. 02, 1995
