June 2, 2015, MONCTON (GNB) – New Brunswick companies and their successful export endeavours were celebrated June 1 at the 2015 Export Awards in Moncton. The gala took place in conjunction with New Brunswick Trade Days, June 1 and 2.
“These awards underline the important role exports play in ensuring the success of our local companies,” said Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet, who is also minister responsible for Opportunities NB. “It is definitely one of the highlights of Trade Days, the marquee training event for our province’s exporters. The private sector is an essential partner in moving New Brunswick forward, by creating the jobs and developing the opportunities that stimulate the economy.”
The award winners are selected by a judging panel made up of business experts from academia and the private sector.
“Our government is pleased to support initiatives like the 2015 New Brunswick Export Awards, that highlight the competitiveness and growth of businesses in our region,” said Rob Moore, minister of state for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). “Tonight, we honour New Brunswick exporters who are growing their businesses, increasing their productivity and competitiveness, and creating jobs and sustainable wealth for this entire region.”
Opportunities NB, together with ACOA and the New Brunswick Division of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, host the awards celebration which recognizes winners in five categories. The 2015 recipients are:
- Emerging Exporter of the Year – Smart Skin Technologies
- Global Diversification Award – ADI Systems Inc.
- Innovative Exporter of the Year – Malley Industries Inc.
- Foreign-Owned Exporter – AV Group (AV Nackawic & AV Cell)
- Exporter of the Year – Bonté Foods Limited
The awards are part of Trade Days 2015, which provides the province’s exporters and potential exporters the opportunity to hear first-hand from market experts and companies about the strategic advantages and experiences of doing business in both the American and the European Union (EU) markets. Guests included a delegation of 16 EU Ambassadors as well as the U.S. Ambassador to Canada. The theme for Trade Days 2015 is Inform. Inspire. Connect.
From left: Stephen Lund, CEO of Opportunities NB; Kent Estabrooks, vice-president, ACOA-NB; Krishna Khaitan, CFO of AV Group; Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet, who is also minister responsible for Opportunities NB; Terry Malley, president and CEO of Malley Industries Inc.; Mike Whittaker, president of Bonté Foods Ltd; Premier Brian Gallant; Graham Brown, president of ADI Systems Inc.; Kumeran Thillainadarajah, CEO of SmartSkin Technologies and Joel Richardson, vice-president, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island Divisions of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters.
MEDIA CONTACT(S):
Elaine Bell, communications, Opportunities NB, 506-453-8607.
Ann Kenney, communications, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, 506-452-3687.
Kelsie Corey, communications, Office of the minister of state for ACOA, 613-941-7241.