Business View Magazine | July 2019

227 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE JULY 2019 THE MD CHARLTON COMPANY LTD . to controlled goods, to non-controlled goods. Finally after a two-year search, we narrowed it down to a company which was local in Mississauga, called Profit Solutions International. We signed a contract back in March and we’re in the process of going through that implementation. I hope that within the next six months it will be smooth running, and we’ll have quicker data and more reports available to us, and a brand new website. We’re going to be doing business over the internet, basically, through portals and exclusive arrangement for particular industries. We’ll put everything that you want to buy from us in a special portal; your people will go on and select these items; they’ll be automatically priced out; and shipped to you the next day. So, we’re working on a lot of automation and changes, because if we don’t change, we’re going to die.” One reason that MDC has to upgrade its systems is because it continues to grow quickly. In fact, the company has been on Growth 500’s (formerly Profit 500’s) Fastest Growing Companies list four years in a row. Rossa adds that its success is largely based on its relationships with approximately 100 suppliers. “We try to make relationships with our suppliers as partners,” he states. “That’s the reason for our growth; there’s been support from our manufacturers. Our top five or six lines are Taser International, which is now called Axon. We’ve had a relationship with them since 1999. We also deal with Sig Sauer, the manufacturer of pistols, rifles, and they’re always coming up with innovative products within their group; we’ve been in a relationship with them for the last ten years. Point Blank Body Armour – we’re the exclusive distributor for them in Canada and they’re always cutting edge with the lightest, thinnest, most flexible body armor to protect our military and police forces in Canada. 511 – it’s everything from footwear, to clothing, to flashlights, to bags, to backpacks; it’s quickly become a staple for us. And then there’s CTS, which is a chemical manufacturer of tear gas and pepper spray. We’re also the distributor for some high level products – we’re exclusive for Canada Goose in the tactical marketplace and policing industry and the Coast Guard. So, we’ve got some well-rounded brands.” Rossa wants people to know that MD Charlton has been providing quality products and great service for 39 years. “And we stand behind and warranty everything that we sell,” he says in conclusion. “We continue to want to work on our systems and our growth and, I foresee, by 2024, MD Charlton will probably be between a $75 and $100 million company. And we still have people picking up the phone and answering, saying ‘How can I help you?’ instead of you getting lost in voicemail.”