“2006 marks Turco-Persian's 100th anniversary, and as a family business with a century of history behind us, we recognize that sustainability is about taking a longer-range perspective. Becoming bullfrogpowered aligns with our belief that businesses have an important role to play in creating a better environment for generations to come.”

Greg Kasparian, Sr.
President

In 1906, a rug cleaning, repairing and dyeing company called The Turco-Persian Rug Renovation Company was opened in Toronto by Armenian immigrant Socrates Utudjian. Located in a three-story old house in downtown Toronto, each floor served a purpose: the main floor served as the wash floor, the second floor housed the main office and drying/repair area and the third floor was for storage. As this was the horse and buggy era, most customers lived within a one-mile radius of the store, so rugs were regularly delivered to customers over Mr. Utudjian's shoulders. In the 1930s, the company was purchased by Krikor Kasparian who had begun his career with the company as night watchman, sleeping on the carpets. 70 years later the company is still on the same premises and is still owned and managed by the Kasparian family.

Today, with a century of superior carpet care behind it, Turco-Persian is the largest cleaner of Oriental rugs in North America. Turco-Persian's principal business remains as specialists in cleaning and repairing of carpets and rugs, with an emphasis on customer service and providing a high standard of workmanship. Retail sales is a strong secondary focus with two showrooms displaying over 2000 carpets including antiques and tapestries. The company's 25 employees are experts in carpets and in the latest techniques of cleaning and stain removal.

Now a bullfrogpowered business, Turco-Persian has a strong record in environmental stewardship and community involvement. Turco-Persian has invested in a variety of technologies designed to reduce the environmental impact of the business. These include an energy efficient gas water heater to minimize the amount of natural gas used for washing rugs; a new Teledyne mid-efficiency hot water boiler to cut down on natural gas used to heat the building in winter; and a high-efficiency heat exchanger to reduce the amount of natural gas used to dry rugs. Turco-Persian is also a generous contributor to many not-for-profit community, health, and arts organizations, including the Armenian Community Centre, the Canadian Red Cross Society, and the Textile Museum of Canada among others.

www.turcopersian.com