N.S. Export Achievers Honoured

Nova Scotia’s export achievers were honoured tonight at the 17th Nova Scotia Export Achievement Awards in Halifax.

Representatives from seven businesses and one individual proudly took the stage as they were saluted for their outstanding exporting accomplishments for the year 2000.

Windsor-based Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia received the Outstanding Performance Award, and Shaw Wood Industries from Cornwallis Park accepted the New Exporter Award.

Three companies -- NeoCon International Inc. in Dartmouth, Darmos Enterprises International Ltd. in Cornwallis Park, and Keane Canada Inc. in Halifax -- each accepted an Export Growth Award.

Avon Valley Floral in Falmouth was presented with the Innovation Award, while Tom Jennegren, marketing manager with Maritime Paper Products of Dartmouth, received the award that recognizes an individual for Outstanding Contribution to the Export Market.

The Global Opportunity Award is a special award that partners an MBA university student with an emerging high-technology company. This was presented to Brooke Ocean Technology Ltd. of Dartmouth. The firm was also recognized with the Outstanding Performance Award. This summer, Brooke Ocean Technology Ltd. will benefit from the marketing expertise of Beth Ilewelly, an MBA student from Saint Mary’s University.

"At a time when the boundaries of the world’s playing field are becoming increasingly blurred by globalization, Nova Scotians are seizing these new opportunities and expanding their reach," said Premier John Hamm. "The people we are honouring are stellar examples of how Nova Scotians are embracing a future of boundless and borderless possibilities."

"Exports in our region have more than doubled in value over the past nine years and, in Atlantic Canada, they account for one in three new jobs," said Robert Thibault, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. "It is indeed a pleasure to be honouring these businesses, as they are creating jobs, contributing to the local economy and definitely making a difference."

Exporting is contributing significantly to our economy. The sale of export goods alone grew to more than $5.3 billion, a 34 per cent increase over 1999. Combined with exports in the service sector of $1.1 billion, Nova Scotia’s goods and services exports were $6.4 billion, up 29 per cent over the previous year.

Major partners of the awards are the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Nova Scotia Economic Development, through the Canada/Nova Scotia COOPERATION Agreement on Economic Diversification, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, and the International Trade Centre.

Corporate sponsors of the awards included Export Development Corp., Sable Offshore Energy Inc., Stora Enso Port Hawkesbury, Michelin, Composites Atlantic Ltd., the Royal Bank and Nova Scotia Power.

BACKGROUNDER

2000 Export Achievement Award Winners

Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia (Outstanding Export Performance)

Windsor-based Mermaid Theatre, now in its 29th season, has delighted more than two- and a-half-million spectators with its unique theatre adaptations of children''s literature, promoting reading and literacy on four continents. In 2001, Mermaid will add the Asian continent to its travel itinerary by visiting Hong Kong. Respected around the world as a theatre for the young, in 2000, its export revenue tripled over 1999 and accounted for 93 per cent of its total revenue.

Shaw Wood Industries (New Exporter)

Shaw Wood Industries produces ready-to-assemble furniture from a 100,000-sq.ft. facility in the Annapolis Valley for the internationally recognized furniture designer and manufacturer IKEA. The company exports all that it produces. In 2000, exports reached almost $20 million, up from just over $4 million in 1999, and the company doubled its workforce to 200.

NeoCon International Inc. (Export Growth Award)

NeoCon International custom-designs and manufactures high-density polyethylene trunk organizers and liners for Mercedes, BMW, General Motors, Ford, Subaru, and Hyundai. A leading innovator, it has patents or patents pending in Canada, the U.S., the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy. In 2000, NeoCon products were marketed in Europe, the U.S.A., and Japan. Company exports in 2000 were up 60 per cent over 1999 and the company expects the value of its exports to double again by the year 2002.

Darmos Enterprises International Ltd. (Export Growth Award)

After emigrating from Poland in 1991, Philip and Clara Darmos began making and selling toys as a hobby. Today, 47 full-time workers manufacture Walk-A-Dino and 60 other foam pet designs from a 55,000-square-foot facility in Cornwallis Park. Eighty-six per cent of the product is exported and is available at Disney World and zoos across North America. In 2000, exports grew by more than 50 per cent over the previous year.

Keane Canada, Inc. (Export Growth Award)

Software innovator Keane opened its Halifax application development centre in 1997. The state-of-the-art facility houses 300 programmers, software engineers, and administrative staff who provide mainframe, mid-range and server applications for international clients. All of Keane Canada''s services were exported in 2000, jumping a phenomenal five-fold to more than $55 million.

Avon Valley Floral (Innovation Award)

Known for quality for over 65 years, Avon Valley Floral has been exporting for more than six years. Now, the Internet is helping the company to extend its range. Sending digital images of its products to floral chain stores, Avon Valley provides bouquets, arrangements, and dish gardens in response to electronic orders. Clients can also customize a prefinished item easily. In 2000, the company added markets in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New York to those it serves in France, the Caribbean, and other parts of the U.S.A.

Thomas Jennegren, Export Marketing Manager, Maritime Paper Products (Outstanding Contribution to the Export Market)

After more than three decades in exporting, Maritime Paper Products reached new countries and continents when Tom Jennegren became export manager. His implementation of a cutting-edge system that makes it easier to order the company’s products has lured new overseas clients. Mr. Jennegren''s innovation at work and his volunteer efforts in Canadian-Scandinavian trade have earned him the award for Outstanding Contribution to the Export Market.

Brooke Ocean Technology Ltd. (Outstanding Export Performance)

Dartmouth-based Brooke Ocean Technology Limited is a leading-edge ocean engineering company and manufacturer of advanced data collection platforms for the marine science, naval, and offshore sectors. Fully 72 per cent of Brooke Ocean''s work was done outside the country last year as its exports jumped by almost 50 per cent. It serves markets in the U.S., Europe, Australia, China, and Japan.

Brooke Ocean Technology Ltd. (Global Opportunity Award)

The sponsor of the Global Opportunity Award brings an export achiever together with an accomplished MBA student for a summer work term. This year the Canada Export Development Corp. is providing Brooke Ocean Technology Ltd. with the marketing expertise of Beth Llewellyn, a Saint Mary''s University MBA student.