Canvas workers have quality covered.

Parry Sound -- With an emphasis on efficiency and quality, Parry Sound's Brunatti & Sons Ltd. canvas cover producers has stood the test of time. As a manufacturer of covers for marine and automotive applications, as well as custom bags and other canvas products, Brunatti & Sons has been in business for over 60 years.

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What Giacianto Brunatti started as a family-owned and operated shoe repair business in 1939 eventually developed into a specialty and orthopedic shoe business. After the Second World War, the public's demands and spending habits became more recreational. Consequently, the company evolved into the repair and manufacturing of boat covers, run by son Joseph and his sons, David, Paul and John.

"As boating started to grow, people and marinas were bringing the boat covers to us to have them sewn, because we had industrial sewing machines," says David Brunatti, president of the company.

Now, custom-made acrylic boat covers account for the bulk of the business, which services the Parry Sound and Muskoka areas down to Honey Harbour. The acrylic fabric grew out of vinyl and canvas boat tops. It is preferable because it comes in a broad range of colours, the texture is more consistent in size, is quick drying, and keeps its shape regardless of age or temperature.

All three brothers are involved in the process, which is as follows.

Paul and a co-worker go to the boat, measure for size and do the pattern work. John cuts what is needed from the pattern. Once the cover is sewn. Paul returns to the boat and installs the fitted product, including fasteners if necessary.

The boat tops generally last around 12 years, although David says some have been known to last up to 20 years. By providing good service and a quality product, customers return for repeat business, he adds.

David says being organized and producing a product that is made and delivered to price maintains a high level of satisfaction.

"My theory with boats is keep it simple," he says. No one wants to waste time with a boat cover that doesn't fit.

In addition to fitted boat tops, they also provide replacement boat seating. David says it is often cheaper to purchase a new seat than rebuild and re-cover an old one.

Brunatti & Sons also custom manufacture tarpaulins, large mesh curtains for marina's boat storage facilities, bags, cot-type stretchers for emergency evacuations from Long-Term Care institutions and canopies for gazebos and awnings for store fronts or residential buildings.

Due to the seasonal nature of the business, many of the products evolved out of demand, as well as the need to diversify and support the business in the off-season.

"Over the last few years, we've focused on products that are less labour intensive and less set-up," David says.

Canopies for Tepraco gazebos are one such example. The hardware is imported from Hungary, so Brunatti & Sons set up, pattern it and manufacture the product in large quantities, which is then shipped out to Canada and the United States.

"That is an excellent item for us," David says. "All the setup has been done, so it's only a case of cutting, sewing and shipping the item out."

Specialty products, such as bags for the marine and climbing industry, have also helped the company in the off-seasons.

Several relocations with in the town reflect the business' steady growth over the years. Now, in a 6,000-square-foot shop located on 2.5 acres on River St., David says they have between 12 to 14 employees. Most of them work full-time within the seasonal months of operation.

And although growth hasn't been exponential this past season, they have increased the number of employees over that last five years, some of which are full time year round.

As the 2005 season comes to a close, it will not be long before the company gears up for another year of activity with the intent to increase the product line and be more diverse, David says.

By ADELLE LARMOUR

Northern Ontario Business