Another strong Manitoba field for biz award
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/11/2011 (5366 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
MANITOBA is once again presenting a strong field in the annual 50 Best Managed Companies program.
Over the years, local companies have had a superior showing in the competition managed by Deloitte and CIBC. In fact, companies from this province account for 13 per cent of so-called platinum club members — those that qualify for more than seven years.
Richard Soenen, Deloitte partner and Manitoba regional leader for the Best Managed program, said the Manitoba representation is probably a result of the profile the program has here plus the fact there are “a great group of companies in the province open to seeking the well-deserved accolades.”
“We’re very proud of the Manitoba companies in the program,” Soenen said.
In addition to the 11 platinum club members, five more are re-qualifying (but with less than seven years on the list). Those that make the grade will be announced in December.
This year, three other Manitoba companies are in the running to be included on the list for the first time:
— Floform Countertops
Founded — 1961
Management/ownership — Ted Sherritt and family
Number of employees — 580
Annual revenue — about $75 million
When asked how Floform, a manufacturer and distributor of quality countertops, has weathered the recession in the U.S. housing industry, Sherritt said 94 per cent of people still have jobs and pride in their homes.
“The kitchen is the focal point,” he said. “Sure, it’s influenced by consumer confidence, but it’s as much a staple as it is a fashion product.”
With offices in Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Regina, Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Seattle, Spokane, and Portland, Ore., the company is able to balance out regional economic cycles.
About 80 per cent of its sales are in the home-renovation market. Sherritt said its U.S. operations, purchased in 2008, are still lagging in the aftermath of the residential real estate reset there, but western Canadian markets remain strong.
— Vector Construction Group
Founded — 1965
Management/ownership — Don Whitmore, his son David and son-in-law Robert Spriggs
Number of employees — about 500
Annual revenue — more than $50 million
Vector has developed an expertise and some patented technology to prevent corrosion of reinforcing steel and concrete.
A number of years ago, Don Whitmore figured if he could develop an expertise in restoration, rebuilding and strengthening, improving infrastructure would probably be a good business.
“We figured there’s no way you could knock it all down and start over,” Whitmore said. “There would be a niche market for anyone who knew how to professionally provide innovative solutions and new technology to solve these kinds of challenges.”
Vector has 14 offices from southern Ontario to B.C. and from Florida to Colorado in the United States.
As well, the company produces proprietary products to eliminate steel corrosion that’s sold in 27 countries.
With a succession plan in place for the next generation to run the business, Whitmore said there are promising growth opportunities and no reason to think it won’t continue growing 15 per cent a year.
— The WISL Group (Western Industrial Services Ltd.)
Founded — 1969
Management/ownership — George Rajotte
Number of employees — about 150
Annual revenue — $20 million to $30 million
George Rajotte started his industrial coatings business with .2 hectares of land, a trailer with no heat, a one-car garage and a $12,000 loan.
Now the company does customized metallizing and epoxy coatings, asbestos and hazardous -waste removal and concrete rehabilitation.
Over the years, it has developed comprehensive protocols on handling and applying all sorts of sensitive industrial products and top safety standards.
The company does work for some of Canada’s largest industrial concerns from the Alberta oilsands facilities to potash mines in Saskatchewan and mines in northern Manitoba and Quebec.
martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca