November 10, 2007
[CLINTON, ON] - Developing a successful business in the heart of rural Ontario is no easy task, but that’s exactly what has been happening in Huron and Bruce counties with the creation of ShipCo International.
In 1996, RuthAnne O’Connell began forming ShipCo International. ShipCo International began as a rural-based distribution and warehousing company, located in Clinton, Ontario. She has been able to use her knowledge from working with Western Union to access clients in the United States and attend some very large trade shows.
“RuthAnne was the only Canadian and all women business at the Chicago trade show, which let to the start of her success and began her connections in the US,” said Pamela Stanley, President, Huron Business Development Corporation (HBDC).
ShipCo International has been growing rapidly over the past 11 years with assistance being received from the HBDC in 2000 and 2004. Their annual sales have now grown to over 1 Million.
Warehousing space at ShipCo International has doubled since 1996, and they have now opened three additional retail locations. Along with the original Clinton location, there are now locations in Goderich, Exeter, and Hanover.
ShipCo International is now employing 24 individuals throughout the four locations. Having the business in the rural communities gives younger adults an opportunity to go to school and get an education and know that there is a thriving business in their local town they can return to. Without initiatives by people like RuthAnne there would very limited opportunities for young adults in their home towns and they would continue to leave the rural areas for urban jobs.
ShipCo does not just deliver and transport products; they have created a specialty hands-on tracking system for items in transit anywhere in the world. Customers are notified when the package is in transit, when it arrived and who signed for it.
“All of her customers appreciate her services, transporting information, money or objects,” said Stanley. “They know exactly when their package arrives and who signed for it. It is a safe and insured service.”
Establishing their roots in rural Ontario, ShipCo International has the potential to help both the local manufacturing and retail businesses expand their marketability. ShipCo International can help them reach beyond the county boundaries and access markets around the world. ShipCo International is also able to help ensure the sustainability of the main streets of the communities they are located.
“RuthAnne is a very civic minded individual, which is why she stayed in Clinton,” said Stanley. “The demographics of where she locates and the main street locations are big parts of her planning.”
Developing and locating ShipCo International facilities in the heart of rural Ontario did not pose any problem to RuthAnne in her quest to have a high quality distribution facility. The locations she has chosen are still close enough to the 400 series highways that transportation is not a problem.
RuthAnne continues to take the business to the next step. She has developed unique packaging for their corporate clients that includes logos on shipping materials, and for families they have developed special decorations to personalize the packaging. RuthAnne has now become involved with designing the logo work and other promotional and marketing activities for the Bull radio station out of Wingham.