July 1, 2000

Glenn & Melanie Kerr, Kerr Lighting Paver Light, Smith Falls

Beginning as a solution to a customer’s request for innovative lighting for a bricked-in courtyard, Glenn and Melanie Kerr developed the Paver Light, a light fixture embedded between linking bricks.  The Kerr’s realized they had a good idea, with a product that could be used for lights underfoot, lights along pathways, lights surrounding decks and swimming pools, or a straight line of lights safely directing pedestrians across the street.  In 1995, with financing assistance from the Valley Heartland Community Development Corporation, the Paver Light first moulds were produced and the Kerr’s started marketing the product at trade shows.  Kerr Lighting began exporting the product to the US and have experienced 100 % growth in each of the last 3 years with 87% of sales to the US.  They have a staff of 6 during the winter months and as many as 20 - 30 part time employees packing and shipping during the busy summer months.  Current production is temporarily being done in Kitchener with approximately 15 employees, while the business base is in Smith Falls where an expansion plan will bring the manufacturing home to a new plant.  Glenn is very excited about his recent contract to supply the Home Depot locations across Canada and anticipates total sales of just under $2M this year.  For more information, visit:  www.kerrlighting.com