2007 CGTA
SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR
Concrete Ceiling
SAMACO TRADING
BY ANDREA REYNOLDS
What started in a home garage has turned into a major
three-tiered company supplying numerous quality products
to Canadian buyers since 1952.
Andy Szandter, a former
high school teacher, had
no intention of running a
triad of giftware and
decorative accessory
companies. But in 1975,
when the company his
Swedish-born father built
grew too fast, Andy knew
he could help.
This once garage-run
operation is now three
companies strong:
Canfloyd Trading, started
in 1979 as a distributor of
home décor along with
Fitz and Floyd products,
and Northdale Trading
launched in 1985 to
provide brand name
tabletop lines such as
Maxwell Williams, Royal
Worcester and Belleek.
Besides his own
dedication to the companies,
Andy is quick to commend
his employees for their
success. Among others,
Laurie Blaha, vice-president
of product development, and
John Huffton, vice-president
of purchasing, have helped
build Samaco to its
current height.
“Success comes from
every level of the company,”
says Andy. “From the team in
the warehouse to the group
of executives, everyone
contributes their all.”
Product lines, of course,
are paramount in this market
and Samaco’s have a devote
following. Why? “Laurie
Blaha is always working
with our artists on new
product development.
Our lines display excellent
quality for a great price.
It’s what sets us apart,”
says Andy.
www.samacotrading.com
Samaco’s executive team: Suzanne Porcellato, vice-president
of finance; Tracey Carter, vice-president of operations;
Andy Szandtner, president; Dale Beeston, vice-president of
sales and Laurie Blaha, vice-president of product development.
John Huffton (not shown) is vice-president of purchasing.
RUNNER-UP
HONOURABLE MENTION: Congratulations to
Splash International Marketing, the
2007 Supplier of the Year runner-up. www.splash.on.ca
2007 CGTA
REPRESEN TA TIVE OF THE YEAR
Big Time
RUTH MACDONALD
BY ANDREA REYNOLDS
This former retailer knows first-hand the importance her
job plays in the success of her customers.
Ruth MacDonald is a
third-generation sales
person, so her experience
selling really expands
beyond the seven years she’s
been with Samaco Trading –
and it shows. Ruth truly
enjoys what she does,
servicing more than 300
retailers from Kitchener to
Tobermory, Ont., and
everywhere in between.
“I love working with my
customers and being able to
help them as much as I can,
but most times they are
teaching me,” says Ruth.
That’s hard to believe
considering Ruth came to
Samaco after owning a
Stedman’s franchise. After
26 years running the
business, she asked her
Samaco rep if he needed
any help at an upcoming
CGTA Gift Show and the
next thing you know she
was an employee.
Spending over 30 years
in the industry hasn’t
dampened her passion for
the market. “I’m always
intrigued at the talent out
there,” she says. “I love the
excitement and the constant
change in the styles and
industry trends.”
Ruth pays close attention
to details such as this and
it’s partly why she’s such a
great rep. She also treats
her customers the same
“no matter how big or
small” they are. Of course,
placing their orders in a
timely fashion has also won
her the respect and
dedication of all the
retailers who voted her the
best rep of the year.
Ruth MacDonald from
Samaco Trading,
the 2007 CGTA Sales
Representative of the Year.
RUNNER-UP
HONOURABLE MENTION: Congrats to Christine Salter
from N.C. Cameron & Sons who was the 2007 CGTA
Sales Representative of the Year runner-up.
