Toronto-based ItalCan Woodworking Ltd., a hardwood furniture frame manufacturer, is under new ownership. The deal came into affect last November; business partners, Joanne Brown and Stefan Conrad, have purchased the 25-year-old company. Conrad who worked in steel manufacturing prior to ItalCan will focus primarily on operations and efficiency in his role as company president. As vice-president Brown, whose background is in financial services, will handle customer relationships and marketing.

 
Along with doing further analysis on the market, Brown says the goal for 2010 is to reduce expenses by 10 percent and increase sales by 20. “We know we have really great employees that have been here a good time. And so on one hand having history and stability with the work force is a real positive but you have to know how to leverage that and also gradually manage the change around it.” Some of those changes will likely come in the way of operational efficiencies and identifying new customers.