Crystal Geyser executive draws crowd

A larger than normal crowd showed up for Wednesday's Chamber of Commerce luncheon at City Gates Cafe.

Normally, about a dozen members get together for the monthly meeting and speaker event, chamber members said. What made this meeting different was the speaker.

Crystal Geyser Water Co. was on the agenda.

That brought out opponents to the proposed sparkling mineral water bottling plant. But there was no controversy to be found.

Vice President of Manufacturing Richard Weklych talked about the process new businesses go through to find vendors.

Chamber board member Ginny Bisagno introduced Weklych, saying he was there to "help us as businesses" and "to help be a viable vendors to small businesses in our community."

Weklych said one of the first things a new business needs to learn is "how do we find out about new products and how do we meet vendors in the area and then establish relationships?"

Crystal Geyser, he said, looks for four key elements: service, quality, qualifications, and flexibility.

In service, he said his company wants to know what local vendors can offer.

In addition, he said local businesses "need to know what we need," and that requires constant contact.

"One-on-one contact is crucial," he said.

In terms of quality of service or product, the primary concern is "does it meet our standards and specifications."

When looking for qualifications, Weklych said that Crystal Geyser, in particular, looks at references and at the operation. Supplies also look at his company's operations to find out what kind of equipment is used and/or needed, etc., he added.

Flexibility also is important, especially since time and availability may be limited.

The company wants to use local use local vendors as much as possible, Weklych said. But sometimes availability or time restraints prevent that.

So far, Crystal Geyser has used 12 to 15 vendors from the Orland and Willows area, he said.

Comparing the Chamber to e-Harmony — an online dating service — Weklych said the Chamber can help put businesses together that meet each other's needs.

It's one of the best ways a new business can find out what services and products are offered at the local level.

Of course, businesses can look in the phone book and the Internet is OK for national searches, but it's better to "meet Chamber people and have a dialog," Weklych said.

"You guys are the primary key, the conduit" for businesses that want to come into town, he said, adding the Chamber is "more important than ever in this kind of business climate."

Weklych also encouraged Chamber members and other businesses to stop by the Crystal Geyser information center at 627 Fifth St. to introduce themselves and what they have to offer.

For example, Weklych said the company knows "there are quality building contractors in Glenn County, but only one has come in"

At this point, Crystal Geyser is "just gathering information," Weklych said. It's informal so far, but we will make it more formal soon."