Kim Thiara, AceTronic Industrial Controls Inc.

Kim Thiara did not originally seek a career in manufacturing, she said, let alone plastics.

"My father asked for some help with his administrative tasks as his business was starting to grow and he alone could not handle all facets of the business. The business was operating in his basement at the time," she said. "I was at home being a homemaker with my four children, so [I] agreed to work one day a week for a couple of hours, e.g., invoicing and accounts receivable.

"Fast forward 27-plus years, and I am still here. Interior design was where I thought I would end up, but it turned out I had a passion for what we were doing as a company for our customers, and this is why I have stayed," Thiara added.

Thiara is the president and CEO of Mississauga, Ontario-based AceTronic Industrial Controls Inc., which manufactures custom parts and equipment for North American plastic manufacturers and repairs plastic manufacturing equipment and components. It serves the automotive, construction, consumables, food packaging, medical, and oil and gas industries.

She manages the day-to-day tasks, including business development beyond the domestic market and looking at ways to diversify: "The U.S. and Mexico are areas that have much potential for significant growth."

AceTronic was named the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council's Small Business of the Year 2018 and Mississauga Board of Trade's Business of the Year.

A notable accomplishment for Thiara has been organizing a one-day trade show for AceTronic called AceConnex.

"We hosted 22 tabletop exhibitors, all suppliers and manufacturers of products/services directly tied into all facets of plastic molding, from mold making to processing. We had a full day planned, complete with breakfast, lunch and dinner [and] simultaneous breakout sessions with speakers during the evening session," she said. "It was a calculated risk, and we were rewarded with a resounding success."

Thiara is breaking the mold that manufacturing is thought to be "dark, dirty and dangerous."

"I feel that plastics has a very negative connotation attached to it," she said. "Through my work with my company and the association I chair, we are working on dispelling this myth — making plastics sexy and an industry that the youth will choose to pursue."

Thiara added: "I have a genuine passion for the manufacturing sector and truly believe that our country's strength is directly tied to a robust and healthy industry. I live this passionately every day, Monday to Friday, and yes, occasionally on the weekends."

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