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MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Delivery
(Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, June, 2001)
Mississauga's exporters dominate Ontario awards
Just how fast is Mississauga expanding? Well, just look around you. Or check out the results from the 3rd annual Ontario Global Traders Awards, handed out late last month in Toronto.
Two Mississauga companies won awards in the Market Expansion Award category: Medtronic of Canada, and The Pressure Pipe Inspection Company.
Winning two of the top six awards in the provincial awards program shows just how far and fast Mississauga-based companies have come in the area of exporting over the past few years.
Judges reviewed nearly 240 nominations this year. Nominees reported exports had a major impact on job creation. Collectively, the nominees said total employment in their companies jumped 23 percent over the previous year, from some 7,000 to 8,000 jobs in 1999-2000.
"Theses results are phenomenal," said Bob Runciman, Ontario's Minister of Economic Development and Trade.
The province's top small and medium-sized exporters were honoured for their job creation and incredible international market success. The provincial ceremony attracted about 500 guests from across the province, including mayors, MPPs, entrepreneurs and award nominees.
The Pressure Pipe Inspection Company located on Dixie Road, recently held an open house to celebrate its facility expansion. The company won in the service segment of the Market Expansion Award category while Medtronic won in the product category.
The Pressure Pipe Inspection Company performs non-destructive testing of large diameter concrete water supply pipes using a patented electromagnetic system. PPIC's inspections often result in rehabilitation rather than replacement, saving water authorities and power plants millions of dollars. The company exports 60 percent of its services to the U.S. and 40 percent to North Africa, Since 1998, the company has grown from one to 28 employees and export revenues have grown by more than 5,600 percent. Medtronic is the only manufacturer of implantable loop recorders used to diagnose unexplained fainting. The device, called Reveal, records electrocardiograms that can be read by physicians. Outstanding worldwide acceptance has resulted in its use in more than 1,500 medical centers. The company exports to Hong Kong, the U.S., Europe, Mexico, Latin America, Japan and Australia, and since 1997 has grown from 80 to 119 employees.
Both companies are looking to become leaders in their fields of endeavour.
Joseph Ouellette, president of Acrolab Ltd. Of Windsor, was named winner of the Leadership Award while Vistar Telecommunication of Ottawa won the Innovation Award. Wabi Iron & Steel Corp. of New Liskeard and Eagle Crusher Company Inc. of Galion, Ohio won the Partnership Award, and Ricado Lima of St. Catharines won the Student Achievement Award.
"Three years ago, our government's lead trade agency - Ontario Exports Inc. - issued a challenge to Ontario exporters to recognize that there are markets for their products beyond Canada and the United States," said Runciman. "The Challenge was to tap into international markets which had been largely unexplored by Ontario companies. I am proud that they accepted this challenge and were highly successful in making significant gains world wide."
For more information call:
Hugh Leavens, Marketing, at 905-624-1040 x 307
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