About Tight-Grip Distribution Canada
Founder Jim Voigt’s experience in the chemical industry began in 1969 with Chicago Sponge and Applies co. Jim Voigt achieved excellent success in landing large accounts such as True Value, and V&S Hardware, Johns Manville, and R.R. Donnelly Inc. After pursuing other interests for almost a decade, Jim Voigt began to work on a non-slip treatment in 1987. TIGHT-GRIP INTERNATIONAL INC. formed in 1989 and is now a six million dollar a year business. The sister company SUNFIRE SYSTEMS INC. formed in 1994 to research & develop a state of the art wall/surface sanitation system. SUNFIRE SYSTEMS INC. also handles the retail market for slip-proofing floors, bath tubs and showers. These products have become proven winners with a track record of 100% success.
Eric Verwindt, current owner of Jem Contracting & Tight-Grip Distribution of Canada started in the cleaning industries in the mid 1980’s. In 1995 Eric Verwindt graduated from college with a degree in building services and became employed with hospitals and extended care facilities. Eric’s focus shifted towards floor care of all types and as a result started to test various types of waxes and sealers throughout the years. From 1996-2000 Eric Verwindt started testing different types of anti-slip products some were successful and others were not.
In 1999 Eric Verwindt is introduced to Sunfire Systems Inc. and started testing Sunfire Systems Inc. products on various types of floors such as stones and vinyl. Eric Verwindt found the products to be long lasting, cost effective, and a solution to decreasing slip and falls in work place and retail areas. Eric Verwindt is and has been contracted with a variety of different cleaning companies which gave him the ability to strip and wax floors in locations such as Wal-Mart’s, Save on Foods, Staples, Banks, and Government buildings. Eric Verwindt has been referred to many problem floors from different supply companies. Understanding this industry Eric Verwindt is looking for products that can promote safety, minimize labor, product cost, and be competitive in today’s market, giving consumers and users a product and service that is long lasting, cost effective, and works.
Terry Briault has been working in the construction field for 37 years holding multiple trade tickets as an insulator, welder, and electrician. Terry became interested in the safety of others and felt he could make a difference by getting more involved with safety. In 2000 Terry took the time and the initiative to take the safety courses he needed to achieve the title of Construction Safety Officer and became certified. Terry Briault then went on to be a safety supervisor for a company who employed over 700 workers on one site. In 2004 after changing the bathtub in a bathroom renovation at home, Terry Briault’s wife, Debbie, slipped and fell in their bathtub and sustained injuries. So when Eric Verwindt approached Terry Briault with a proposal to start a company that would help to eliminate slips & falls, Terry Briault, thought the TIGHT-GRIP product would be an opportunity to bring safety to the general public.