Canada’s best managed companies are…

A number of Canadian companies are being recognized for outstanding business performance and innovative management through Deloitte’s Best Managed Companies program.

Growth was at the top of the agenda in 2012. Companies made strategic investments in their companies, platforms, systems and staff, and in turn, revenue and income grew. Best Managed winners’ revenue grew by 14% to $5.4 billion and income grew 24%.

Read: Mining firms face 10 key challenges: Deloitte “This year’s winners have proven that even during a global financial crisis, they are still optimistic about the future, focusing on key operating metrics and accountability,” says John Hughes, Deloitte partner, national leader, Canada’s Best Managed Companies program, and leader, Toronto Growth Enterprises.

2012 winners

• Algoma Central Corporation, St. Catharines, ON
• Aquaterra Corporation, Mississauga, ON
• Arpi’s Industries Ltd., Calgary, AB
• Boulangerie St-Méthode inc., Adstock, QC
• Burnco Manufacturing Inc., Concord, ON
• Canada Goose, Toronto, ON
• Canarm Ltd., Brockville, ON
• CBCL Limited, Halifax, NS
• Construction Control Inc., Woodbridge, ON
• Cougar Drilling Solutions, Edmonton, AB
• Cowan Insurance Group, Cambridge, ON
• Dancor/Coreydale, London, ON
• Desire2Learn Incorporated, Kitchener, ON
• Durabuilt Windows and Doors, Edmonton, AB
• EMS, Etobicoke, ON
• Les Emballages Carrousel Inc., Boucherville, QC
• Esri Canada, Toronto, ON
• Ethier, Calgary, AB
• FirstOnSite Restoration, Toronto, ON
• Home Hardware Stores Limited, St. Jacobs, ON
• Houle Electric Limited, Burnaby, BC
• Industrial Thermo Polymers Ltd., Brampton, ON
• Intelex, Toronto, ON
• Trévi, Mirabel, QC
• JemD Farms, Kingsville, ON
• KiiNaturals Inc., Concord, ON
• Levitt-Safety, Oakville, ON
• MDS Aero Support Corporation, Ottawa, ON
• Mircom Group of Companies, Vaughan, ON
• Mr. Lube Canada, Delta, BC
• Nautilus Plus, St-Hubert, QC
• TU Group, Richmond, BC
• Novexco BuroPLUS, Laval, QC
• DeSerres, Montréal, QC
• OpenRoad Auto Group Limited, Richmond, BC
• Oxford Frozen Foods Limited, Oxford, NS
• Paladin Security Group Ltd, Burnaby, BC
• Payworks, Winnipeg, MB
• PCO Innovation, Montréal, QC
• PH Vitres d’Autos, Sainte-Perpétue, QC
• Projex Technologies Ltd., Calgary, AB
• RLG International Inc., Burnaby, BC
• S-Trip!, Moose Jaw, SK
• Simpson Seeds Inc., Moose Jaw, SK
• Soucy Techno inc, Sherbrooke, QC
• South Country Equipment Ltd., Dartmouth, NS
• Steele Auto Group, Toronto, ON
• STRONE, Oakville, ON
• Superior Glove, Acton, ON
• Techmation Electric & Controls Ltd., Airdrie, AB

In the current soft economy, these companies focused on:

M&As: Companies continue to look to strategic-alliance and joint venture activities as the initial steps to a transaction commitment and expect M&A activity to increase cautiously over the next two- to-five years.

Read: Acquisition pricing poses challenge for Canadian firms

Best Managed Companies are also looking to build acquisition pipelines. Since these companies have limited resources they need to be very strategic and selective about acquisitions and look for opportunities that are accretive to their businesses.

Attracting key talent: As Best Managed Companies mature, they offer more sophisticated programs for leadership positions, ensuring new executives and employees understand their company’s vision, its operations and strategic plans. Companies also engage new folks in peer learning that builds them up for success in their new roles. This year, companies are reporting more women in the executive ranks and an increase in the number of newcomers to Canada.

Product service innovation: Many are looking to new products and services as a means to increase revenue and income. Innovation has been taken to new levels to create disruptive technologies and clearly differentiated products.

Read: Your password is not safe: Deloitte Succession planning: This has become a more all-encompassing exercise that moves from family discussions around the next generation of management, to a broader discussion including family transition, private equity investment, sales to strategic buyers and IPOs. A number of owners plan to exit their businesses within the next five years, and are starting to take a more holistic view of business succession and transition. Owners will engage in conversations to build sustainable businesses and focus on creating and protecting value.

Read: Make succession planning a priority

Staff

The staff of Advisor.ca have been covering news for financial advisors since 1998.