Manitoba’s Top Employers 2021 – Winnipeg Free Press

Birchwood employees kick off their annual United Way campaign

Everyone’s experience matters at Birchwood

Jennifer McFee 4 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020

At Birchwood Automotive Group, experience is everything.

This notion remains a driving force that steers the success of the longstanding company — and makes it stand out as one of Manitoba’s Top Employers for years running.

For president Steve Chipman, the family-based company aims to create a positive experience for both employees and customers alike.

“We try to make sure our customers’ experience is really great, but we also know that our team members’ experience is everything,” he said.

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Breaking down barriers

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020

With operations in more than 100 countries worldwide that employ 8,670 people, Roquette — a global leader in plant-based ingredients — has written quite the success story over the past 87 years.

Now that the company is bringing a state-of-the-art pea protein processing plant in Portage la Prairie, the management team at Roquette Canada is continuing the practice of keeping lines of communication with employees open at all times, says Trish Clark, Roquette Canada’s head of human resources.

“Constant communication is so important,” she says. “Our management team is transparent with our employees, staying in regular contact with initiatives such as town hall meetings. Doing that builds trust and openness.”

Further to that, adds Clark, the work environment at Roquette Canada — the plant is the largest of its kind in the world, and will process 125,000 metric tonnes of yellow peas annually — has been designed to promote a barrier-free relationship between management and employees.

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Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020

STAFF MEMBERS AT ROQUETTE’S STATE-OF-THE-ART PEA PROTEIN PROCESSING PLANT IN PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE.

Investing in the workforce

Geoff Kirbyson 4 minute read Preview

Investing in the workforce

Geoff Kirbyson 4 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020

Strategic planning at Broadview Networks has always included a business continuity plan but the company never dreamed the plan would be tested the way it was.

Like virtually every other company in town, the Winnipeg-based IT managed services provider was locked down when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March, forcing it to send its people home to work.

Luckily, it supports IT services for a host of corporate clients that need to be working, pandemic or no pandemic, so it had seen disasters before. Just, you know, not one that impacted all customers at the same time.

That’s when David Reimer, Broadview’s director of sales and one of its owners, said the company got out its chequebook.

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Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020

BROADVIEW’S TEAM AT THE UNITED WAY PLANE PULL CAMPAIGN.

The value of empowerment

Sherry Kaniuga 4 minute read Preview

The value of empowerment

Sherry Kaniuga 4 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020

It’s all about trust: At Access Credit Union, employees at every level are empowered to make decisions, share ideas and speak their minds.

These are just a few of the elements of working for the southern Manitoba credit union that saw an impressive 94 per cent of employees respond in its most recent staff survey that they were proud to work for the organization, and that contribute to Access being named one of Manitoba’s Top Employers for the seventh consecutive year.

“I often hear new employees say they like that we are an employer of choice, they appreciate the idea that we’re there to support them with continuous education, and they love the values of the organization,” says President and Chief Executive Officer Larry Davey.

The trust factor comes in many forms. Employees are given the freedom and authority to make decisions throughout their work day that would typically demand management approval. They gather on the Community Investment Committee to evaluate major donation requests and choose, on behalf of the organization, how and where corporate contributions will be distributed. And they join the Health and Wellness Committee, which plans wellness activities and programs for all staff to promote healthy living.

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Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020

ACCESS CREDIT UNION STAFF MEMBERS VOLUNTEER AND TAKE PART IN FUNDRAISING EVENTS.

Supporting the whole employee

Todd Lewys 4 minute read Preview

Supporting the whole employee

Todd Lewys 4 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020

There’s something to be said about being recognized as one of Manitoba’s Top Employers for the 11th time in 15 years. And one key ingredient may be that Manitoba Blue Cross doesn’t take a one-size-fits-all approach to meeting their employees’ needs.

“We do our best to create an environment where an employee feels they can bring their whole self to work,” says Brenda Slikker, Chief Operating Officer at Manitoba Blue Cross. “Life is complex, especially as we navigate through the unknowns of the pandemic, and personal stressors don’t take a vacation while we’re at work. That’s why we feel it’s essential to provide benefits and resources that care for the whole employee and help foster an overall sense of well-being.”

This is evident in the company’s offerings. In addition to a competitive salary, company-matched pension plan and three weeks of vacation time after the first year, employees have access to a wide range of health and wellness supports.

This includes a robust health benefits package and coverage through the company’s onsite employee assistance program, which provides counselling, work-life and personal wellness services, psychiatric consultation and addictions management support.

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Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020

MANITOBA BLUE CROSS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER BRENDA SLIKKER (SECOND FROM LEFT) PRESENTS A DONATION TO WINNIPEG HARVEST CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER KEREN TAYLOR-HUGHES (LEFT).

Bold approach pays off

Jennifer McFee 5 minute read Preview

Bold approach pays off

Jennifer McFee 5 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020

A business with a unique workplace culture lives up to its name as one of Manitoba’s top employers.

Bold Commerce offers customizable commerce solutions of all sizes. More than 90,000 brands in upwards of 170 countries trust Bold to power their businesses every day, including well-known companies such as Staples Canada, Vera Bradley and Harry Rosen.

CEO and co-founder Yvan Boisjoli understands the importance of treating employees well. The business currently employs 350 people at its Winnipeg headquarters, plus four others in Calgary and 21 in Texas.

“When we started Bold, we all agreed we wanted to build a company where we would love coming to work. This has been the backbone of our culture,” he said. “We wanted our employees to feel connected and allow them to impact the company in every way possible. We want them to think and act like owners, and benefit from these efforts through our employee share ownership plan (ESOP) program.”

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Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020

Bold Commerce staff volunteer at the Children’s Wish Foundation Tee Off ‘Fore’ a Wish Golf Tournament at Breezy Bend.

Enhancing the customer experience

Manitoba Public Insurance 4 minute read Preview

Enhancing the customer experience

Manitoba Public Insurance 4 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020

Manitoba Public Insurance has been part of the community for almost 50 years. During that time, the public auto insurer has grown with our province, to the point that there are now about 1.2 million Autopac policies in force at any given time.

Most Manitobans, it’s safe to say, are MPI customers. And the organization is determined to improve the experience of those customers and better meet their auto insurance, vehicle registration and driver licensing needs.

“We’re shifting our culture to become more customer-centric. Improving the customer experience is a perfect fit with our corporate values: to do what’s right, to invest in people, to provide value, and to strive for excellence,” says Satvir Jatana, MPI Vice-President, Employee and Community Engagement and Chief Human Resources Officer.

To this end, MPI is currently undertaking the biggest digital transformation in its history, which involves replacing outdated systems with the goal of streamlining processes, improving customer convenience and increasing online service options.

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Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020

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Creative collaboration

Judy Owen 5 minute read Preview

Creative collaboration

Judy Owen 5 minute read Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020

Even though they’re working apart, employees of Johnston Group Inc. are finding creative ways to come together for some virtual socializing and teamwork.

Most of the company’s 285 employees were shifted to work at home in April instead of at the insurance and group benefits provider’s Winnipeg headquarters because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but employee-led committees came up with creative ways to continue their Work Life Wonderful wellness programs.

An online talk show draws appreciative audiences, fitness classes are held virtually instead of at the office’s gym and employees socialize playing digital bingo, visiting virtual escape rooms or having online coffee dates.

Fundraising for community organizations such as the United Way has been maintained, and even expanded.

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Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020

January 7, 2026