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Business awards galore
National companies with Yellowknife bases edge out competitors with Northern growth Thandiwe Vela Northern News Services Published Tuesday, February 28, 2012
While many of the businesses are headquartered in the south, growth in the North is often weighed by national award program judges as a sign of success. "Our expansion to the North is a key strategy as it relates to our growth," stated Kerry Rudd, president and CEO of Associated Engineering Ltd., which recently established its Yellowknife office in the Northwest Tower. "Especially in terms of our work in the mining and infrastructure sectors, as well as in building better communities." The consulting engineering firm has been recognized among Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies, a national awards program that recognizes excellence in Canadian-owned and -managed companies with revenues over $10 million. Several measures of corporate success are carefully examined by the judging committee for this award, including outperforming competitors, creating jobs and achieving sustainable growth. It is Associated Engineering's fourth consecutive year being named to the list, so the company received a Gold Standard designation, also awarded to Clark Builders and M&M Meat Shops Ltd., which has a location at Yk's Stanton Plaza. A & W Food Services of Canada Inc. and Boston Pizza International Inc., both with restaurants operating in downtown Yellowknife, were awarded Platinum Standard, meaning they have maintained Best Managed status for at least six consecutive years. Winners of Canada's Best Diversity Employers were also announced last week, with NorthwesTel Inc. and Stantec recognized for exceptional workplace diversity and inclusive programs. Tino DiManno, senior vice president for Edmonton-headquartered Stantec, called the designation a "tremendous honour." "It is a testament to the fact that we are successfully maximizing our employees’ potential by valuing their differences while also fostering inclusiveness," he said. "This also ensures we have the breadth of viewpoints and skills needed to succeed across our global environment." Stantec’s Yellowknife office has 47 employees. Now headquartered in Whitehorse, NorthwesTel president and CEO Paul Flaherty said the Northern telecommunications company is "proud" of its diverse work force. "We make every effort to ensure our employees are representative of our customers," he said in a news release, highlighting the company's focus on recruiting and retaining aboriginal people for all levels of positions within the company. Next week, two Yellowknife organizations will receive prestigious awards from the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada. The Yellowknife Mine Training Society and the Nuna Group of Companies are being honoured by the national mineral industry body for "outstanding contributions to and excellence" in the industry. Nuna Logistics Ltd. CEO Mervyn Hempenstall told Yellowknifer the Inuit-owned construction services company is "honoured" to be the 2012 recipient for the Skookum Jim Award for aboriginal achievement. The Yellowknife Mine Training Society, which has trained more than 850 people, and placed 600 workers in the Northern mine and mine services sector, is receiving the 2012 Special Achievement Award. The awards will be presented on March 5 in Toronto.
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