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On the Jim Scharf farm near Perdue, Saskatchewan, the thinking has never been restricted to what types of crops to grow in the upcoming year. Jim farms thousands of acres of lentils, wheat, canola and mustards but over the last decade has developed and marketed a variety of useful and innovative products. In 1985 Jim patented and marketed a grain hoe for cleaning the corners of grain trucks called "Safety Hoe." "EZEEWRAP® 1000", a plastic wrap dispenser came on the market in 1986; one of the product's biggest strengths is its mass appeal. "Plastic wrap is used around the world, and we've solved the problem of dispensing it" says Jim. The environmentally friendly " E-ZEEWRAP" uses 1,000 ft roll of plastic, roughly 10 times the length of conventional rolls. The system eliminates the need for carboard boxes and plastic cutter blades. In 1987 developed a wooden bank "Canada's Loony Nest" for storing the new $1 Canadian coin. Other ideas eventually were hatched in 1988 such as "Loony Thoughts" a line of shirts and mugs that were licensed to a Minnesota company where their state bird is the Loon. In 1989 "CRe-ATE Gift" was established; a line of wooden crates used for packaging. 1990 Jim and the Saskatchewan Research Council further re-designed the "Best New Canadian Product, EZEEWRAP®" as the original model was metal with oak ends. Jim then purchased an 8,000 sq ft commercial building in 1992; where assembly, packaging, warehousing and offices are now under one roof. The economic spin off benefits from Jim Scharf Holdings Lt. continue to multiply. When asked "Why Perdue?" Scharf replies, "Saskatchewan's Telecommunication System plus transportation make distribution throughout Canada and the USA very economical and easy. With the development of the New E-ZEEWRAP came numerous prestigious industry awards. Finalist for Awards such as ABEX AWARD for the Best New Saskatchewan Product, Finalist for the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce ABEX AWARD for Marketing, Canadian Hardware Housewares Manufacturers Assoc. For Best New Canadian Product and the Cdn Hardware Assoc Award for Best Packaging. Two years consecutively in 1994 & 1995, Jim has ranked on the Profit Magzine Canada's Fastest Growing Companies and later that year received Entrepreneur of the Year Award. In 1995 Jim expanded his marketing division to include other people's products. These include "The Lettuce Knife", "Bakeware Buddy", and "Grocery Grip". At the Gourmet Products Show in San Fransico, USA in 1996 Jim received the Best Product Award. In 1997 Jim ranked Profit Magazine's Canada's Fastest Growing Company for a third time! E-ZEEWRAP has the most potential for national and international markets. In addition to the United States, Jim has exported to many foreign countries; languages used on the packaging include English, French, Spanish, Dutch, German, Italian, Chinese, Indonesian and Malaysian. Jim, a dedicated lentil producer values the nutritional advantages of lentils therefore developed this NEW product specifically for the time and health conscious consumers, "Nona's Instant Lentils" was introduced to add value to our farm products and finding a better way to sell lentils to the masses. "Heavenly Fresh Odor Absorber", cherub-angel design is the latest product introduced in 1998; this eliminates odors in small places which contains activated coconut shell carbon. Jim Scharf Holdings Ltd. has been manufacturing E-ZEEWRAP® since 1986, and has built two expansions to keep up with demand. All done very well, but clearly the E-ZEEWRAP has the most potential for national and international markets as its ease and convenience plus money saving aspect of buying in bulk place it far ahead of the competition and its environmental impact is certain to give it an even greater advantage. |
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 Jim Scharf Holdings Ltd. Avenue K & 9th Street - P.O. Box 305 |