Cementation wins business of the year award

Cementation Canada CEO Roy Slack accepts the Nugget Business of the Year award at the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce annual general meeting Friday night. Photo by Peggy Greco, BayToday.ca.

The North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce presented awards at its annual general meeting Friday night.

Here are profiles of the winners:

Nugget Business of the Year – Cementation Canada Inc.
Category (16+ employees)

Cementation Canada is an underground mining contractor, working for mine owners that are developing new mines, or expanding or operating existing mines.

The work includes shaft sinking, lateral and ramp development, raising, underground mine construction and engineering. Cementation is recognized as the most active shaft sinking contractor in North America at present.

Cementation Canada Inc. is 100% owned by Murray & Roberts International, based in London, England, which is a wholly owned division of Murray & Roberts based in South Africa. The group is a leader in the mining industry with major contracting companies in South Africa, Canada and Australia, as well as various construction and industrial groups around the world.

The mission for Cementation Canada Inc. is “To earn the distinction of being the mining contractor of choice of both clients and employees; through excellence in safety, performance beyond expectations, and building of long term relationships based on a “Best for Project” philosophy”.

Cementation Canada Inc. made a corporate decision in May of 2004 to base its’ North American operations in North Bay. Economic impact of the operations includes 650 high paying jobs across Canada, and 70 high pay scale technical and professional jobs locally (North Bay area).

The influence in Northern Ontario has been substantial, with 150 jobs in Timmins (Kidd Creek Mine project), 50 jobs in Red Lake (Red Lake shaft project), and 120 jobs in Sudbury.

The economic spin offs of these projects are substantial:
• Kidd in Timmins, $85 million contract over 4 years
• Red Lake project, $50 million contract over 3 years
• Nickel Rim South (Sudbury), $150 million contract over 6 years

Cementation Canada Inc. is also very focused on the people in the community. Cementation actively supports sports teams, cultural activities and charities that the employees and their families are actively involved in.

Cementation has also won awards such as the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2002 and is recognized in the industry for their innovative approaches and contribution to industry advancement. Recently, Cementation was recognized as one of the Top 5 Northern Ontario companies to watch for by the Northern Ontario Business Journal.

The award was accepted by Roy Slack, President of Cementation Canada Inc.

Nipissing University/Canadore College Small Business of the Year – North Bay Canoe and Kayak
Category (1-15 employees)

North Bay Canoe and Kayak has been in operation for 26 years.

Andre Leblanc has been the sole owner since 2000, however has been operating the business since 1997.

Recent progress and achievements include an expansion to a 4,000 square foot building on the Trans Canada highway in 2000. Average annual growth of 20% since 1997. Expanded with a 2nd location in Northgate Shopping Centre this past year. Expanded product lines with technical, outdoor clothing (with shoulder season product lines too to include winter gear, skis, snowshoes), and continuous expansion of gear and water crafts.

Continued development of a third generation website with secure checkout.

Future objectives include: maintaining both successful retail establishments (Hwy 17 E & Northgate), continuous expansion of product lines to establish themselves as the authority in sporting/outdoor goods provider for the region.

With over 450,000 hits a year on their website, they will be launching their new site with a fully secure shopping cart to increase Internet sales.

Their economic impact includes 4 full-time and 3 part-time staff. The company has earned the reputation as being the authority in paddle sports. As a manufacturer and with certified paddling instructors, they take pride in assisting customers in selecting the right product for their intended usage. This coupled with the only shop specializing in the professional repair and restoration of canoes and kayaks has given them a definite edge.

New canoes are sold throughout Canada and the United States.

** For the two Chamber “ business of the year” categories above, nominees are judged on the following criteria: Financial Performance, Demonstrated Innovation, Employment Growth, Market Development and Community Enhancement.

Betty Alcorn Memorial Award – presented to Erin Richmond – director of the year

- Erin Richmond, an economic development officer with the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development is chair of the Economic Development Committee with the North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce. Sub-committees include Strategic Planning and Economic Growth. Key projects this year included Service with a Smile program, highlighting excellent customer service in our region; Physician Recruitment program; business seminars; Business Retention & Expansion program.

Mary Ellen Horner Memorial Award – presented by last year’s winner Jeff McCarthy and Bernie Horner (father of Mary Ellen) to Heather Gray - volunteer of the year

- Heather Gray, Gray’s Log House B & B, is an active member on the Special Events committee. Heather has been a tremendous volunteer at all Chamber events such as Business After Hours networking, Golf Tournaments, Annual General Meeting & Gala coordination, Cabin Fever, Gift Show, etc.