Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies

Mary Teresa Bitti,
Financial Post Published: Monday, February 02, 2009

There is good news out there. And this year's Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies demonstrate you don't have to look hard to find it. While headlines warn of economic upheaval, this year's winners are thriving.

That's because they anticipated market challenges and prepared. "Even two years ago, companies were building contingency plans in the event of economic softness," says John Hughes, Deloitte partner, private company services, and national leader of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies Program. "These companies are close to their customers, close to the market -- they are always searching for information. So they have a good sense of what challenges are coming."

They've also considered all possibilities. "Because they are Best Managed companies, they do this scenario planning regularly," Mr. Hughes says. "They are continually evaluated. They are even helping their customers develop strategic direction."

Since 1993, Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies program has recognized excellence in Canadian-owned and managed companies with revenues over $10-million. Companies are assessed on their overall business performance, sustained growth and the efforts of the entire organization. It includes executing a core vision, creating stakeholder value and excelling in the global economy. The evaluation process pairs applicants with coaches from Deloitte or CIBC Commercial Banking, who provide professional advice and counsel on the presentation. An independent panel of judges selects the final 50 annual award winners.

This year's winners are making the most of their strong balance sheets and cash reserves, seeking out opportunities to merge, partner with and acquire companies that will help them domestically and internationally. The emphasis is on smaller operations that need little investment and add revenue and margin to an-already healthy business. This is why the overriding theme for this year's Best Managed companies is "cautiously opportunistic."

"While there is an emphasis on growth of products and service lines, Best Managed companies are looking to acquisitions to improve their productivity and efficiencies for the long term," says Peter Brown, managing partner of Deloitte's private company services practice nationally. "More than ever, talent will determine a company's ability to win in its market -- and Best Managed companies realize this.

"Best Managed companies are building and rewarding the skills that foster unique ideas to improve operations and sales."
The Best Managed program has become a valuable Canadian network of entrepreneurs and management teams that aids Canadian business by allowing leaders to share valuable lessons. "Our vision for the program as we look to the future is to create a harbour for Canadian businesses to learn through the Best Managed Companies' strategic evaluation process and to make Canadian businesses, and more importantly the people who run them, more successful,"

Mr. Hughes says.
"The power is in the network. Deloitte, in concert with Best Managed program partners CIBC Commercial Banking, Queen's School of Business and the National Post, is compelled to further the Canadian business imperative to help Canadian businesses flourish in the global economy."

ASL Distribution Services Ltd.
Alliance Energy
Atrahan Transformation
BBA Inc.
Barrie Metals Group of Companies
Conestoga Cold Storage
CCI Thermal Technologies Inc.
Clark Builders
Conestoga-Rovers & Associates
Cooke Aquaculture Inc.
Desjardins Healthcare Group
GHY International
Diamond and Schmitt Architects
G.A.P Adventures
Genesis Hospitality Inc.
George Kelk Corp.
Govan Brown & Associates Ltd.
Grand River Foods Ltd.
Harris Computer Systems
Groupe Distinction Inc.
Great Western Containers Inc.
Industries Canatal Inc.
Klick Communications Inc.
Klohn Crippen Berger
Miralis Inc.
Marsan Foods Ltd.
Les Industries Mailhot
NORPAC Controls Ltd
O'Regan's Automotive Group
OnX Enterprise Solutions Ltd.
Partner Technologies Inc.
Quantum Murray LP
PolyCello
R.V. Anderson Associates Ltd.
Radialpoint
Rescan Environmental Services Ltd.
S.A. Armstrong Ltd.
Spitz International Inc.
All Weather Windows Ltd
Veritaaq
Walker Seeds Ltd.
Summer Fresh Salads Inc.
Apex Distribution Inc
Associated Engineering Group Ltd.
Day & Ross Transportation Group
Deca Cables Inc.
Engineered Air
Nuheat Industries Ltd.
Rowan Williams Davies and Irwin
Steam Whistle Brewing

Asher Ullah
www.homesforgta.com