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The British Columbia Export Awards Program was initiated by the Ministry of Economic Development in 1982 in the midst of a major recession to raise awareness and recognition for the contribution that the manufacturing and service sectors were making to the BC economy. Fast forward 29 years and the country is once again dealing with a global economic downturn.
“It continues to be very challenging times for the manufacturing and exporting sectors as a result of the financial crisis and the recession that took place and now the volatile Canadian dollar and the global uncertainty. Nevertheless, the manufacturing sector continues to lead in research and development and innovation and has been very successful in opening up new areas to export to around the world,” said Peter Jeffrey, CME-BC vice president. “We should be very proud of our exporters and it is important to recognize and celebrate their successes. It is these successes that create jobs here in BC and maintains the standard of living that all British Columbians want.”
The BC Export Awards, presented by CME and the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, is Canada’s longest-running and most prestigious export awards program. More than 500 nominations were received this year, a record-breaking total, leading to possibly the most competitive award selection process yet. Three finalists have been selected for each of the following award categories: Advancing Technologies, Consumer Products, Manufactured Products, New Exporter, New Media & Entertainment, Northern BC Exporter, Primary Products & Resources, Professional & Services, and Sustainability. The winner of each category will be revealed at the awards gala on October 28.. From these winners, one company will be further honoured as the Exporter of the Year, the most coveted award, sponsored by RBC Financial Group.
“This year, more than most, we salute the one exporter that stands above all others. It takes perseverance, determination, and a special blend of product, people and skill, to be named Exporter of the Year,” said Vic Tyson, vice president business development at RBC, “It is an honour to celebrate this exporter in the presence of their peers, who understand all too well the challenges of international markets.”
The Advancing Technologies award, sponsored by KPMG LLP, recognizes a company that harnesses the powers of intellectual property and value-added expertise. The 2011 finalists are Avigilon, an industry-leading provider of high definition surveillance solutions; MDA, the world-leading supplier of Imagery Intelligence Satellite Ground Systems and Products; and STEMCELL Technologies, a Vancouver-based biotechnology company that develops products for life science research.
Sponsored by Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP, the Consumer Products award acknowledges a company that manufactures end-products for direct sale to consumer or retail markets. Finalists are ARC’TERYX Equipment Inc, a manufacturer and retailer of outdoor sporting goods and apparel; Coast Spas Manufacturing Inc, a leading manufacturer of hot tubs, swim spas and commercial spas; and ParetoLogic Inc, a provider of security and utility software applications for the home PC user.
The Manufactured Products award, sponsored by Syspro, honours a company that is engaged in secondary manufacturing or the production of value-added components, machinery and/or equipment for industrial uses. The three finalists are SEI Industries Ltd, whose innovative industrial fabric products are used in humanitarian efforts, environmental protection and commercial and military support; Unifiller Systems Inc, a provider of equipment solutions for precise portion control in the baking and food industry; and Viking Air Ltd, a first tier original equipment manufacturer specializing in de Havilland aircraft products.
The company that has achieved the most notable success from their initial entry into the export market is awarded the New Exporter award, sponsored by UPS Canada. This year’s finalists are Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing Corp, a company that designs and manufactures avionics communication equipment; Conifex Timber Inc, a softwood forest products company operating in the Northern Interior region of BC; and HootSuite Media Inc, a unique social media dashboard application that integrates leading social networks.
The New Media & Entertainment award, sponsored by Great Pacific Television Production, recognizes a leading company that produces products and/or services for the media and/or entertainment industry. The three companies in the running are Arcana Studio Inc, Canada’s largest publisher of comics and graphic novels; Nerd Corps Entertainment Inc, a full service property development and animation studio; and Neverblue, the leading global performance-based online marketing company.
Introduced last year, the Northern BC Exporter award is presented to a company that exports products or services from its primary manufacturing site(s) located in Northern BC.
“Initiatives Prince George, The Prince George Airport Authority, The Prince Rupert Port Authority, and CN frequently collaborate to promote the many advantages of northern BC’s transportation corridor, particularly the growth of goods movement through the Prince George transportation hub and the world-renowned Port of Prince Rupert,” said Tim McEwan, president & CEO of Initiatives Prince George. “Coming together to sponsor the Northern BC Exporter Award at the CME BC Export Awards for the second year in a row is an important part of our ongoing efforts to promote the multi-modal northern corridor’s advantages and export excellence in our region”.
The finalists this year are Coast Tsimshian Resources LP, a log marketing and forest management company owned by the Lax Kw’alaams First Natives; Conifex Timber Inc, a softwood forest products company operating in the Northern Interior region of BC; and Kyahwood Forest Products, a producer of finger jointed products for the construction industry, owned by the Moricetown Band.
The Primary Products & Resources award, sponsored by Alexander Holburn Beaudin & Lang LLP, is presented to a company that is engaged in marketing, processing and primary production of natural resources. The finalists are Canfor Pulp Limited Partnership, a leading global supplier of pulp and paper products; Coast Clear Wood Ltd, a manufacturer of lumber products used in building construction and housing components; and Tolko Industries Ltd, a leading manufacturer of a broad range of forest products.
A company that provides expert advice, technical support or educational programs to international customers will be presented with the Professional & Services Award, sponsored by Advantage BC International Business Centre. The 2011 finalists are Gemcom Software International, a provider of software and services that support mining companies worldwide; Klohn Crippen Berger, a leading engineering and environmental consulting firm; and MTU Maintenance Canada Ltd, a provider of maintenance, repair and overhaul services for large turbofan jet engines powering commercial aircraft.
The Sustainability award, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada, will acknowledge an environmentally conscious exporting firm that has shown leadership in integrating the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainability into their internal management practices. This year’s finalists are ABC Recycling Ltd, a leading metal recovery and recycling firm; Archipelago Marine Research Ltd, a provider of sustainable marine resource management products and services; and Dr. Battery, a leading battery distributor providing high quality lithium-ion battery packs and ac adaptors.
Two awards designed to recognize individual accomplishments will also be presented: the Leadership award and the International Business Studies award.
The Leadership award, sponsored by the British Columbia Institute of Technology, recognizes an individual known for championing the cause of exporting in BC within their industry or field of expertise. This year’s Leadership award honours Dr. John MacDonald, the current Chairman & CEO of Day4 Energy Inc, a solar energy company which he co-founded in 2001. Dr. MacDonald also co-founded Canada’s largest space technology company, MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates (MDA), a finalist in this year’s Advancing Technologies award category. No stranger to the award podium, Dr. MacDonald has been awarded eight Honorary Degrees, and is an Officer of the Order of Canada. A true visionary and entrepreneur, Dr. MacDonald’s leadership and contributions have positioned Canada as a world leader in the fields of space science and technology.
The final award emphasizes the significance of education and training for tomorrow’s leaders by presenting a $3000 scholarship and formal acknowledgement to an outstanding post-secondary student. The International Business Studies Award is sponsored by the BC Council for International Education.
“With developed economies still hampered by the ongoing recovery, exporting to growth-rich emerging markets has never been more important, and with B.C.’s exports to Asia now accounting for 40 % of the province’s total, we expect B.C. to lead the country in export growth next year,” said Linda Morris, regional vice president for western Canada for Export Development Canada. “The success of the BC exporters that we celebrate today does a great service for all Canadian companies by showing them that diversifying your export markets can help you overcome the significant economic challenges of today’s global marketplace. Congratulations to all our nominees for their innovation in exporting.”
