Our industry is filled with leaders, whether it may be individuals, companies, or associations. There is hard work being done behind the scenes. For this issue, as part of our Industry Champions series, the spotlight will be shined on Saniflo Inc. Canada for its part.
Over the span of more than 60 years, the company has created several green initiatives, which examine the supply chain to access sustainability reporting. Additionally, they provide employees with alternative work methods to reduce carbon emissions, implement energy-efficient practices throughout their offices, and reduce waste by completing an assessment to help identify the company’s waste stream.
Recently, they were even recognized with platinum status by the Green Business Bureau. “Our commitment to going green is a powerful influence on our business — from product development to how we conserve water and reduce the wasting of resources. All contribute to the success of our business,” explains Phil Warren, managing director for Saniflo Canada.
Jeff and Yana Zhdanova welcomed Yana’s mother and grandmother to Canada, after they fled the Ukraine for Poland.Creating solutions
Like several other companies in the industry, Saniflo has vowed to do its part in helping the people of Ukraine. The company was recently made aware of a family in Saskatchewan who was experiencing firsthand the effects of the war. Yana and Jeff Zhdanova were able to bring two family members from Ukraine to Canada. With the expected arrival from Poland, the family had to start preparing accommodations.
The Zhdanova family’s current home is a rented ranch home on an acreage with one bathroom. Yana’s mother and grandmother would take up the basement, but the basement allowed for enough space for an additional bathroom. “We decided to offer support in any capacity we could. It’s of the utmost importance to Saniflo that we give back to our communities, especially during this war, so that Ukraine and Canada can continue to build trust in our brand,” said Warren. As such, Saniflo donated one of its Sanicompact, which is a toilet bowl and a macerator in a single fixture.
Saniflo Canada donated the Zhdanova family a Sanicompact to help with the basement bathroom renovations.Not only did they donate the product, but they also funded the installation and hired Able Plumbing and Heating to complete the project. “I can’t say enough positive things about Saniflo. They showed kindness to complete strangers and helped us when they didn’t need to. Actions speak louder than words,” said Jeff Zhdanova.
Looking to the future
Another initiative that Saniflo Canada has been working on is regarding the next generation of skilled trades workers. “Saniflo Canada will be donating up to 20 scholarships to plumbing apprentices attending Ontario colleges in 2022. Scholarship donations will cover Level 1, 2 and 3 plumbing apprenticeship tuition, plus book costs for students,” said Warren. The Saniflo Apprentice Journey Plumbing Scholarship is done in collaboration with Support Ontario Youth and the scholarship will provide students with hands-on product training. Additionally, the company plans to partner with Wearth to plant 2,000 trees in Saskatchewan this year.
While the company has a lot of initiatives to be proud of, the company’s biggest accomplishment to date has been the evolution of its team and brand, “I take great pride in that. From being known as just a basement, bathroom, and pump company to who we are today, it’s truly amazing. Honestly, by focusing on who we are, what we do, and how we provide an everyday pump solution to all the markets in the plumbing industry,” said Warren.
In June, Saniflo Canada announced it donated $1,000 to the Breakfast Club of Canada, providing approximately 2,000 breakfast meals to children. They plan on making another donation this month.
In addition to donations, Saniflo Canada co-sponsors a charity golf tournament every two years. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Champlain East’s Subway tournament raises money to support mental health promotion initiatives in Prescott-Russell for the CMHA. Last year marked the 18th edition of the tournament, which raised over $35,000.
A brief history
Saniflo Canada prides itself on its six central core values, which include inventiveness, comfort, quality, simplicity, loyalty, and reliability and trust, explains Warren. “Inventiveness is a key part of our DNA. It’s the hallmark of SFA Group, and inventiveness combines creativity, pragmatism, and smartness, encapsulating our ability to identify and offer simple but ground-breaking solutions,” said Warren.
The SFA Group released its flagship product, the Sanibroyeur, back in 1958. Since then, they have designed and produced products within several industries, including water treatment equipment, pumps and pump stations for industrial projects, pumps and sanitary macerators for home use, and equipment for showers, whirlpool bathtubs, and spas. “Saniflo Canada holds corporate social responsibility as one of our top priorities, aligning our brand vision with developing healthy communities,” said Warren. “Whether in our dealings with our distributors or with our end customers, we establish a relationship of trust that has been binding our brand since 1958.”