ATCO Wood Products has been recognized as an esteemed leader in the provincial export market.
The Fruitvale company won the 2017 BC Export Award for Natural Resources in Vancouver on Friday, during the 35th annual awards ceremony.
“We are honored to be named the winner of the 2017 BC Export Award for Natural Resources,” ATCO’s Chief Executive Officer Scott Weatherford told the Trail Times.
“As a third generation family business in the forest industry, we’re proud that our focus on responsible forest management, manufacturing exceptional wood products, and developing export opportunities, has been recognized amongst so many other highly respected companies in the natural resource sector,” he added.
“This award, as well as our success, is owed entirely to our employees, our suppliers and contractors, our customers, and our communities who have supported our business in Fruitvale for many decades.”
ATCO was nominated by SYSPRO, one of its technology partners, for the company’s impressive export-focused operations and long history in the region as an exporter of manufactured natural resources.
By the end of the year, ATCO Wood Products will have exported approximately $28 million of primarily softwood veneer, as well as wood chips, bark and garden ties.
The company beat out Creston’s Global Fruit and a Langley lumber company called San Group.
The BC Export Awards are the province’s most-prestigious awards paying tribute to the success, economic impact and innovative approaches of B.C. export companies. They celebrate the valuable role that the export industry plays in the province’s economy. Since their debut in 1982, the awards have recognized more than 300 B.C. companies.
Representatives from the Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology were members of event’s steering committee and participated on the judging panel along with the B.C. division of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, SYSPRO and Export Development Canada.
The awards were presented by the B.C. division of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, and the Government of British Columbia, and produced by Business in Vancouver.
“This year’s finalists and award winners represent the cream of the crop in B.C. exports, and their contribution to B.C.’s economy is significant,” stated Jobs, Trade and Technology Minister Bruce Ralston in a Friday news release.
“Companies that export are job creators, and we are proud to support their success. We encourage them to continue expanding their businesses through trade.”
Other award winners announced Friday include: Advanced Technology and Innovation, LMI Technologies; Clean Technology, Saltworks Technologies Inc.; Consumer Products, Prepac Manufacturing Ltd.; Digital Media and Entertainment, Finger Food Studios; Manufactured Products, Vehicle Mounted Air Compressors (VMAC); and Professional Services, Ayogo Health Inc.
Finger Food Studios, a Greater Vancouver leader in technology, was selected as the 2017 Exporter of the Year.