Ecom was established in 1986. At first we supplied only to the Canadian market and had a shared office north of Toronto. Over the years we moved a number of times, until we presently operate on a 1 ha (2.5 acre) site not far from where we originally started. Our current building covers about 3 700 sq metres (40 000sq ft), into which we moved in 2002.
In terms of product lines we began with traditional Canadian items. Our oldest sales files contain records of our sales of mustard seed from Prairie Provinces and fishmeal from the Maritimes. However we realized that our clients required not only competitive pricing, but also the services of guaranteed specifications, delivery and warehousing programs, and goods tailored to individual requirements.
As a result we began a program of significant investment. We now regularly visit and audit vendors, have standardized specifications, and have installed our own equipment to ensure quality standards and timely deliveries. We have started the process of becoming HACCP registered.
In our Value Added Ingredients division, we supply a range of products second to none in the North American market.
In 1991 we accepted the challenge from a large flavour company to take over its oleoresins extraction facility. This factory had originally been established in the 1940s near Ottawa to be near spruce and balsam for extraction. Over the years it pioneered spice oleoresins, and then was integrated with the flavour business.
When Ecom took the facility over, we refocused the strategy to supply the spice oleoresin needs of food, flavour and beverage manufacturers worldwide. Investments were made to transfer all of the extraction to our Toronto site, and we constructed systems to meet or exceed current regulatory standards for the industry.
After we reestablished the oleoresin line on a solid footing, we then developed a line of niche products by which we have become known in the trade: rosemary as an antioxidant, a line of oleoresins both water and oil dispersible, a competitive line of natural colours, and specialty oleoresins such as jalapeno, cilantro and chili chipotle. Our oleoresins are now exported to users in over 30 countries.
Ecom has defined its strategy as being in the service business - we provide our service by supplying ingredients.