Hiring Filipinos a key to success, say Canadian farm equipment makers

The town of Frontier is in Saskatchewan, Canada.

FRONTIER, Saskatchewan — A farm equipment manufacturer in this tiny Canadian town says hiring immigrants from the Philippines has been a key to its success.

Honey Bee Manufacturing in recent years has filled 35 jobs—nearly 20 percent of its employees–at its Frontier combine header plant by recruiting Filipinos.

Esteban de La Cruz is among those recruits. He moved to Frontier with his family in 2008 and now works, along with wife Elvie, at Honey Bee.

New arrivals from the Philippines are a regular feature in Frontier, and De La Cruz told CBC News  that he likes to personally welcome them with a party that includes food, drink and karaoke.

Honey Bee, makers of farm equipment, has been hiring from the Philippines in recent years. HONEY BEE PHOTO

De la Cruz says he likes living in Frontier where it’s quiet and safe for his kids to grow up in.

Honey Bee has been recruiting workers from the Philippines since 2008, using the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program.

Henry Fehr, human resource manager, said Honey Bee needed engineers, welders and assembly line workers but could not find enough of them in Western Canada. Canadian workers “just won’t come” because Frontier is 100 miles from the nearest traffic light and the nearest Wal-Mart.

Fehr said it takes eight months to bring families to Frontier as landed immigrants who can begin the process of becoming Canadian citizens, if they choose.

Honey Bee helps the workers get settled, giving them furniture, helping them get vehicles and renting some apartments and duplexes in Frontier so that Filipino families have a place to stay. The company also helps out with the first few months of rent.

Hiring from the Philippines has paid off, according to general manager Brad Nelson, who says he can’t imagine the company existing today without it.