Tatra Rebooted
Saving a 100% Canadian Boot factory.
On October 31, 2019, Tatra Safety Boots and Shoes, the Dunnville boot manufacturing business, was closing its doors. The death certificate was signed, and the employees were beginning their look for new employment elsewhere.
Tatra building and delivery bus (year unknown).
Around this time a local machine shopped called TNK Machine and Tool, owned by Tsjibbe Kelly, was growing too large for its current facility and looking to for more space. Tsjibbe, founder of TNK, bumped into the long-time owner of Tatra by happenstance. The conversation led to hearing the property on Ramsey Drive was for sale, where Tsjibbe’s interest in both the property and the manufacturing possibilities was piqued.
Over the winter of 2019/2020 the tough negotiations to purchase Tatra fizzled out and the response to Covid put a pause to the conversations.
An old photo of production in the earlier days of Tatra
Old machines from floor to ceiling, wall to wall.
Tsjibbe, the self admitted tool addict.
However, in the summer of 2020 discussions began again in which two other local businessmen expressed interest in the property, but had no interest in the Tatra Boot manufacturing business finding it was laden with risks and unforeseeable complications.
The tools were in disarray, they were unsure if any of them worked, the space was disorganized and would take a mountain of work to bring any sort of harmony to the buildings. In October 2020 the deal was set to close, but the 2 other business partners backed out. This left Tsjibbe as the sole interested party as he was the only one with a strong desire to keep the Tatra business alive.
TNK Machine shop after moving to 330 Ramsey.
On October 29th Tsjibbe finalized the purchase of the business Tatra safety boots and shoes, and all its assets.
And that was the beginning of the Tatra Reboot.
Numerous discussions were had about what assets would remain of what was left of the 25,000 square ft. manufacturing facility. Countless hours were spent researching, inspecting, moving and loading the sea of old machines that stretched from wall to wall.
The last step was to streamline and downsize the boot manufacturing business until he gained insight into the process and market involved in his newly acquired business. Several of the previous staff were re-hired, equipment was revived, and slowly, almost imperceivably, the factory that sat dormant for over a year, once again began producing boots.
One pair in 3 days, 1 pair in a day, then 3 pairs, then more. Many imperfect, some even unsightly, but all of them increasing Tsjibbe’s love and appreciation for boot making.
Over time, more machines were fixed and rebuilt, more hands were hired on, inventory was building, new contracts were being negotiated, and people were starting to talk.
Tatra is back.
Tsjibbe's brother Ed loading our first large order for our new contract!
Tsjibbe, with a record setting online order day.
Indeed it is!
While we know we have a mountain to climb our commitment is to continually work to improve our processes, capacity, and customer base, serving them as best we can with the utmost quality and genuine care.
As we grow as a company and as individuals, this story of how some local fella wanted to make boots will resonate with us, pushing us ever forward, but also reminding us to look back, to remember and preserve some of the beautiful things built by those who came before us.
And maybe, with some persistence, we can build a few things of our own.
An intensely patriotic heart and a deep love for his community drives Tsjibbe’s desire to keep everything in-house. Tsjibbe wants to bring back manufacturing from overseas, to provide good paying job to local Canadians, and to build an exceptional product that serves it’s user well.
That’s why every step is truly made in Canada.
Boots in production.
