by Nancy Gardiner
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 26/97) - Jamie Baillie is the new president of Fyremaster.

Born in Fort Smith and raised in Alberta, he's worked as a diamond driller across the Arctic and Canada. That includes stints at Pine Point and working for Echo Bay Mines. His partner is Rick McDonald.

The only place McDonald worked since he came North was for Fyremaster. He's originally from Edmonton with 20 years in the welding supply and gases business.

Baillie says their focus is internal organization and customer service.

They'll be seeking opportunities to expand into the communities, so interested entrepreneurs can sell their products. "We would assist them in setting up," says Baillie.

"Because we're an aboriginal-owned business, we'd like to do business with development corporations," Baillie adds.

For those seriously interested, the company would be a ready source of supply. There are 500,000 items in their industrial supply catalogue.

There's also restaurant and vehicle suppression systems available.

Their business hours vary. If we're here, the door is open, basically, it's 8 a.m. to 5 p.m." "And whenever we get calls." That may mean coming in earlier, later or working on weekends.

With the change of ownership comes a big investment in a new computerized inventory system.

"It's so competitive in the North now. We're expected to have the same kind of pricing as people in Edmonton."

How do they compete? A new $67,000 computer inventory system, for one. "It can compile an order without a human touching it," says McDonald.

In paperwork alone, this technology can save $10,000, he explains.

Prices are updated automatically by the computer, which can even keep track of lost sales. When someone requests a product and it's not in stock, it's recorded, too.

It will even wait to place an order to get a shipping discount.

Only recently, welding supplies were added to the product line, largely due to McDonald's expertise in the area. In addition, there's janitorial and safety supplies.

There are six employees, including the new owners.