Cover story by Wilma Blokhuis
Canadian INDUSTRY PERSON
of the Year
Peter Blunden is about to become better known across Canada in the dry cleaning and laundry industry. The president and owner of East Coast Laundry Systems, based in Halifax, NS, recently scored a major coup – the Canadian distributorships for Renzacci, a large equipment manufacturer in Italy.
“Most manufacturers know of us, as we have been in the industry for 46 years,”
Blunden explained. “The manufacturers are constantly developing their distribution networks. When I was first approached with these opportunities, it was apparent that we had a mutual understanding of what it takes to build a national market, so agreement was quick and surprisingly easy. Negotiations were simple and agreeable from both sides. We had a strong desire to expand geographically across Canada so it was just natural.”
Blunden reached a similar deal with Fimas finishing equipment, another large Italian manufacturer.
In recognition of his vision and achievement, Blunden was chosen as this year’s Canadian Industry Person of the Year by Fabricare Canada.
“I am very honoured to be considered and definitely thrilled to have been selected,” he said. “Everyone appreciates recognition, especially when it’s reflective of your life’s work.” His philosophy for success is simple: “I have always enjoyed working, meeting people and doing my best.”
10 FABRICARE CANADA November/December 2017
GROWING UP IN BUSINESS Born and raised in Halifax, Blunden studied business at Dalhousie University and worked his way up to his cur- rent position. Much of what he knows about the industry he’s learned on the job. “I grew up in a family of business. My father was sec- ond generation in the family business and my sons are now fourth generation.” Son Greg, 32, is sales and marketing manager at East Coast Laun- dry Systems, and James, 29, works in installations. “My father owned and operated a family building supplies business, Brook- field Bros., and a family con- struction business. I was not allowed to work in the family business until I was 13 years old, a family rule, so my first job at age 11–12 was to have multiple paper routes,” Blun- den said. During his student years, he worked every sum- mer and part-time during the school year.
“When I joined the family business, I started in shipping and receiving, loading and unloading trucks for deliveries, as well as customer service with building materials in the lumberyard and at the sales counter. Later, while study- ing Commerce at Dalhousie University, I assumed my elder brother’s job and created the advertising layouts for the company. Next I worked as a carpentry apprentice for Blun- den Construction.”
BETTER SALESMAN THAN CARPENTER At this point in his then-fledg- ling career, Blunden had a brainwave. “A couple years in I designed and construct- ed a mini version of a house in cutaway layers to show all the products included in our package homes. I sold a couple of custom package home at a trade show and then my oldest brother, who was our general manager, told my dad I was much better
Top: Peter Blunden, successful busi- nessman, avid sailor and nice guy.
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