Bolton business Silcotech celebrates 25th anniversary

Mayor Annette Groves and Caledon Community Services CEO Geraldine Aguiar attend event

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A local business is celebrating a quarter of a century in Caledon.

On October 20, Silcotech held a 25th anniversary celebration outside of its Bolton manufacturing facility.

Silcotech was a start-up venture between Isolde Boettger and partner Michael Maloney, who still lead the company today. In the beginning, they were putting in 12- to 16-hour days. Silcotech hired its first employees through Caledon Community Services (CCS) and two of those employees still work there to this day. 

Boettger explained Silcotech is a global supplier of liquid silicone moulded components and sub-assemblies. It manufactures products primarily in the health care sector.

In 2003, Silcotech moved into its Nixon Road location where it currently operates. 

Boettger said she's proud of her company's diverse employment base, and said there's so much talent in the company. She said one of the company's core missions is to help its employees learn and grow.

Silcotech has long-partnered with CCS. It has had a Christmas raffle that benefits CCS for over 15 years and it's been growing year after year.

Caledon Mayor Annette Groves attended Silcotech's 25th anniversary celebration to provide congratulations. She said she remembers when Silcotech first came to Bolton.

Groves said Caledon is committed to helping businesses start and grow in Town.

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Silcotech for choosing to invest in Caledon 25 years ago — great choice,” said Groves. “Your continued investment in the community creates jobs for residents and drives local innovation. Caledon is proud to be a home for you.”

Groves went on a tour of Silcotech's facilities and said she was very impressed with them. 

“We look forward to working with you for many years to come,” said Groves. “Thank you for all that you do and contribute to our community.”

Viren Aggarwal, Chief Financial Officer of Silcotech, shared some statistics from the company's history. He said Silcotech has shipped over 2.2 billion parts to over 220 customers in its 220,000 hours of operation. He said in the next two to four years, Silcotech plans to double the size of its operation.

Geraldine Aguiar, CEO of CCS, said she's grateful for the difference Silcotech has made in the community during its 25 years of business. She said the company is a staple in Caledon; that it is innovative and community-minded.

“Our partnership is built on a shared belief in creating an environment where people can grow and prosper, helping people live up to their full potential,” she said. “I commend you for your legendary raffle that never stopped during COVID… when a lot of things did.”

Aguiar said Silcotech has also supported many CCS events like the Velocity Ride for Caledon Seniors and Home for the Holidays Gala.

Carinne Chambers-Saini, CEO of Diva International — which makes the Diva Cup — attended Silcotech's anniversary event.

She said when she and her mother were looking to create a modern version of the menstrual cup in 2001, no one was willing to work with them. 

“Every company we approached laughed and scoffed at our strange device,” she said. 

Then, they met Boettger and Maloney, and the rest was history. The two companies have been in partnership for 23 years and have no plans to stop. 

“They were one of the first ones to believe in our idea,” said Chambers-Saini. “They agreed to help us design and manufacture the Diva Cup.”

Chambers-Saini commended Silcotech's outside-the-box thinking and world-class team for their help in making the Diva Cup a reality.

“Isolde and Michael are two of the most hard-working and kind people I have ever met and they have built something truly special in the community of Bolton,” she said. 

Chambers-Saini said Diva International and Silcotech are partnering to donate 2,500 Diva Cups to CCS.

Maloney said Silcotech is lucky to have such a great customer base. He said Silcotech's diversity is its strength.

“Our focus has always been our team, our people,” he said.