May 19, 2017, EDMUNDSTON (GNB) — Two Sussex companies took top honours at the 2017 New Brunswick Export Awards, held Thursday night, May 18.
G.E. Barbour Inc. was named Exporter of the Year – over $5 million and Mrs. Dunster’s (1996) Inc. was named Exporter of the Year – under $5 million.
SimpTek Technologies Inc. of Fredericton took the award for Emerging Exporter, while Lizotte Machine Vision of Rivière-Verte received the award for Global Diversification. Corruven Canada Inc. (Edmundston) won the Innovative Exporter award and Boise Cascade Alljoist (Saint-Jacques) was named top Foreign-Owned Exporter.
“Your government is focused on growing the economy and creating jobs,” said Economic Development Minister Francine Landry, who is also minister responsible for Opportunities NB. “These companies help put the province on the global stage, and we are pleased to honour their great efforts and their commitment to New Brunswick.”
Opportunities NB hosts the Export Awards in partnership with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island divisions of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters.
“The Government of Canada is committed to solidifying Canada’s advantage by strengthening our existing trade relationships and pursuing new opportunities in large and growing markets,” said Madawaska-Restigouche MP René Arseneault. “We are proud to support initiatives like the Export Awards that renew a spirit of entrepreneurship and highlight successful and emerging exporters in this region. Congratulations to all the nominees and award recipients.”
Arseneault commented for Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains, who is also minister responsible for ACOA.
A total of 32 companies were nominated at the Export Awards, held at the Edmundston Convention Centre. The winners are selected by a judging panel made up of business experts from academia and the private sector. Judges are chosen based on their knowledge of the New Brunswick business community and their understanding of international trade.
“New Brunswick is an exporting powerhouse and these winning companies are shining examples of the importance and value of innovating and making things here – not just for the economic benefits they bring to communities, but also for opportunities it brings people and families,” said Joel Richardson, vice president, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island divisions of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters.
New this year, Opportunities NB presented an Impact Award for New Investment to IBM Canada Ltd. This award celebrates a company that has had a significant effect on New Brunswick’s economy through a recent investment decision.
“IBM continues to believe in and invest in New Brunswick,” said Stephen Lund, CEO of Opportunities NB. “The company has had a strong presence here for years, and their workforce has grown considerably in the last five years. They are indeed having a major impact in New Brunswick, and we are pleased to recognize their contributions to the province.”
The New Brunswick Export Awards are sponsored by: Atlantic Business Magazine, Business Development Bank of Canada, Export Development Canada, Fredericton International Airport, Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport, National Bank of Canada, New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, Port of Belledune and Port Saint John.
MEDIA CONTACT(S):
Eric Lewis, communications, Opportunities NB, 506-866-6938.
Lisa Gautreau, communications, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, 506-471-1565.