Desjardins Reveals Finalists for Desjardins Entrepreneur Prizes
Lévis (Quebec), February 12, 2008 - Desjardins Group, the largest financial institution in Quebec, is proud to announce the finalists for the Desjardins Entrepreneur Prizes, awarded in collaboration with Fondation Desjardins. These prestigious prizes, worth more than $40,000 each, aim to highlight the excellence of Quebec businesses that help advance our society and enrich our community.
Hailing from several regions, the finalists are divided into 4 broad categories, allowing Desjardins to recognize a greater number of businesses.
According to Stéphane Achard, Business Markets Senior Vice-President, "The future survival of our businesses will depend on networking, innovation and the skills of their employees. Now more than ever, it is excellence that will make all the difference. That is why the Desjardins Entrepreneur Prizes celebrate companies and their successes and expertise."
The winners of the Desjardins Young Entrepreneur Prizes will be announced on February 20 at the Fondation de l’entrepreneurship’s 25th annual symposium. All other winners will be announced on April 3 at the "Les Grands Enjeux de SECOR/Les Affaires" seminars, presented by Desjardins.
Desjardins Young Entrepreneur Prizes, in partnership with the Secrétariat à la jeunesse
The finalists from Eastern Quebec are:
Desjardins Young Entrepreneur Prizes, in partnership with the Secrétariat à la jeunesse
The finalists from Eastern Quebec are:
Nutra-Fruit Inc., Quebec City – Jean-François Veilleux, President
Nutra-Fruit has taken up the challenge of making productive use of cranberries and their exceptional properties since 2006. The company offers a variety of high-quality, healthy, and innovative products that are appealing to consumers.
Nutra-Fruit’s market consists of both individuals and institutions. This award-winning company employs 5 people and intends to export its products to the United States and Asia.
ABX Production, Quebec City – Alexander Bain, President
Since its establishment in 2004, this company has specialized in the management and production of audiovisual projects at every stage of the process, serving both local and foreign production companies working in Canada. ABX has 5 permanent and around
100 temporary employees. As a producer of television shows among other things, this company received an industry award and has already exported one of its concepts.
The finalists from Central Quebec are:
Transfert Environnement, Sherbrooke – André Delisle, President
Transfert Environnement is a company that has resolutely defined itself within the innovative field of sustainable development. This company proposes a dynamic approach and original techniques and offers support for public and private developers who
wish to establish participative mechanisms that promote the social acceptability of their projects. Administrated by Université de Sherbrooke graduates and guided by senior advisors in business and communications, Transfert Environnement comprises
a team of nearly a dozen professionals.
Ludik Distribution Inc., Marieville – François St-Laurent, President
Founded in September 2006 by a young couple, Ludik Distribution specializes in the production and sale of candy and toys. Through its creative approach, this young business with 9 employees serves its 130 active clients with a sweet touch of quality. A
dynamic company, Ludik Distribution is in the process of expanding and aims to double its retail outlets over the next year after expanding its distribution centre.
Massothérapie Brigitte Couture, Acton Vale – Brigitte Couture, President
Established in October 2006, Massothérapie Brigitte Couture specializes in high-quality massages and body care. With its team of certified therapists, this recently founded spa has developed a personalized and rigorous approach enjoyed by its
customers. Its 3-person team also offers chair massages at businesses throughout the region. As the winner of several awards, Massothérapie Brigitte Couture will join forces with an osteopath in 2008 to diversify its services.
The finalists from Western Quebec are:
SCL Medtech Inc., Montreal – Simon Caron, President
Founded in 2005, this company makes medical and laboratory instruments for physicians and researchers working in the areas of pneumology and occupational pathology. SCL Medtech’s expertise has become world renowned. An expansion phase has been
initiated for launching a new technology. SCL Medtech employs 9 people, 4 of whom work part time.
RPM Environnement Ltd., Blainville – Dominic Payette, President
Since 2004, this company has specialized in the recovery and recycling of hydrocarbon-contaminated plastic containers, transforming them into reusable products in accordance with the legislation and standards of the Department of the Environment. With
16 employees and well over 4,000 clients, Dominic Payette plans to grow his business throughout Quebec and expand into Ontario and the United States.
Desjardins Sustainable Development Prizes, in partnership with Bell Canada
The finalists from Eastern Quebec are:
Criteria G.E. Inc., St-Honoré-de-Chicoutimi – Claude Heuzé, President
In business since 2004, Criteria G.E. integrates all the principles of sustainable development into its business. The company offers a range of affordable consultation services to SMEs in Saguenay, focusing on the environment and sustainable
development. It plans to apply its social engineering expertise to larger-scale projects. To ensure its visibility, Criteria produces reusable, environmentally-friendly bags, which are excellent tools for promoting its values to a large number of
partners as well as to the general public.
Groupe Coderr, Alma – Patrice Gobeil, President
Groupe Coderr is a consortium of 4 non-profit organizations that contribute to social integration by creating lower skilled jobs. For 25 years, Groupe Coderr has played a major role in implementing residual material management plans with companies and social organizations in Lac Saint-Jean. It has 63 employees working in the sectors of dry solids collection and recycling as well as in a second-hand store that offers a wide variety of imported, recycled, fair-trade products.
The finalists from Western Quebec are:
Tricentris, Sorting Facility, Lachute – Ronald Tittlit, President, Warden of the Argenteuil RCM
Created in 1997, Tricentris is a non-profit organization whose mission is to sort and resell the recyclable materials of a million citizens from 60 municipalities in the Laurentians, Lanaudière, Outaouais and Montérégie regions. Its
resale market extends all the way to China. The company employs 115 people and has an ambitious development program. Its surpluses are reinvested in sustainable development programs.
Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited, Preissac – Eberhard Scherkus, President and Chief Operating Officer
The goals of this company are to focus on quality, growth, and a strong financial position while protecting the environment and maintaining a safe workplace for employees. Its precious metal mines can be found in several countries and are in full
development. Agnico-Eagle Mines is committed to following a strict environmental policy that includes assessing the impacts of mining to ensure responsible consumption of water and energy, waste management, site rehabilitation, education, and the health
and safety of its employees and the public.
The finalists from Central Quebec are:
Société zoologique de Granby, Granby – Jacques Légaré, Chairman
This conservation institution, recognized both nationally and internationally, has been a top Canadian tourist destination since 1953. The profits generated by this non-profit organization are fully reinvested. The Granby Zoo uses green construction
methods as well as energy- and water-saving and recovery programs. It promotes quality of life and a feeling of belonging among its 523 employees, many of whom come from reintegration programs or hold student jobs.
F.L. Chicoine Printing House, St-Germain de Grantham – François Chicoine, President
This company, founded in 1986, offers integrated printed products services, from the graphic design stage to the final printing. F.L. Chicoine Printing House actively works with its 34 employees to prepare for the company’s future, notably through
the transfer of knowledge. Its commitment to the environment is clear: it recycles tons of paper and it uses environmentally-friendly ink, which has the advantage of providing a healthy workplace.
Desjardins International Commerce Prize, in partnership with Export Development Canada
Techsol Marine, Quebec City – Claude Messiaen, President
Techsol Marine works in the area of marine electrotechnology. By developing the MAX alarm, a control and monitoring system for ship machinery, it has carved out a place for itself in the field of marine automation. Techsol Marine has no direct
competitors and exports already represent 80% of its sales. The MAX alarm system, which can be adapted to clients’ needs, has allowed Techsol Marine to conquer European, Latin American and Asian markets. At the cutting edge of technology, Techsol
Marine devotes a large part of its work to research and development.
PLB International Inc., Boucherville – Jocelyn Brasseur, President
PLB International, a Québec-based pet food company, was founded in 1969 and has received several recognition awards. The company offers high-quality internationally certified products. PLB’s sales represent close to 1% of the world pet food
market. Already present in 25 countries, this company with 125 employees is aiming to grow on the European and Asian markets.
Desjardins Business Ownership Transfer Prize, in partnership with Samson B élair/Deloitte & Touche
Boucherie J.C. Fortin Inc., St-Étienne-les-Grès – Martine Fortin and Daniel Fortin, owners
Specialized in the retail sales of fresh meat and household products, this company has expanded 4 times since its creation in 1963. It now employs a team of 15. The transfer of this family business to the next generation was meticulously planned and
therefore can be used as a regional model of success.
Engrenage Provincial Inc., Quebec City – André C. Nadeau, Martin Grenier and Dominique Huot, owners
After a year of preparation, this business, founded in 1972, was smoothly transferred to managers who were already working for the company. Specializing in the design and distribution of hydraulic products for both manufacturers and users in the mobile
and industrial markets, the business has received several industry awards. It employs 65 highly skilled workers.
About Desjardins Group
Desjardins Group is the largest integrated cooperative financial group in Canada, with overall assets of $147 billion, as at September 30, 2007. It comprises a network of caisses, credit unions and business centres in Quebec and Ontario, and some twenty subsidiary companies in life and general insurance, securities brokerage, venture capital and asset management, many of which are active across the country. Drawing on the expertise of its 40,000 employees and the commitment of nearly 6,800 elected officers, Desjardins offers its 5.8 million individual and corporate members and clients a full range of financial products and services. Its physical distribution network is complemented by leading-edge virtual access methods.
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