Fantastic news

Hobart Food Equipment has celebrated its 10 year partnership with the United Way of Bruce Grey by blowing the lid of its fundraising campaign.

The 2007 employee and corporate campaign hit an all time high with just over $38 000 being raised in it’s month long campaign. Employee participation for payroll deduction was 70%, a 20% increase over 2006.

With support from its parent company ITW of Illinois Hobart Food Equipment employees have raised almost $90 000 in the past 3 years for the United Way of Bruce Grey, bringing its 10 year total to just under $150 000.

“This has blown our socks off,” said Paul Stethem, head of Human Resources, “our goal was a 10% increase and we achieved an increase of just over 50%”.

“This donation puts us well over halfway to our goal of raising $285 00, to begin to meet the needs in our community” said United Way Executive Director Francesca Dobbyn

Hobart’s parent company ITW matches the employee contribution dollar for dollar. There was initial concern that the rising dollar would negatively impact the campaign, but the employee response was so strong, that the campaign will show an increase despite the current exchange rate.

The current United Way of Bruce Grey campaign total is: $160 387.22

Hobart is the world's leading innovator of food equipment, systems and service and has been around for more than 110 years. Hobart Corporation is a part of Illinois Tool Works (ITW). The Owen Sound plant employs 181. Hobart Food Equipment plants and offices across Canada have collectively raised upwards of $75 000 for United Ways across Canada in 2007.

For more information please contact


Paul Stethem
Hobart Food Equipment
519 376 8886

Francesca Dobbyn
United Way of Bruce Grey
519 376 1560