by Morinville News Staff
Edmonton – Champion Petfoods is the recipient of an Alberta Chambers of Commerce Award of Distinction in the Export Category. The local manufacture of premium pet foods was presented with the award at a gala dinner Friday night at the Radisson Hotel Edmonton South.
The Alberta Chambers of Commerce announced Jan. 30 Champion had been selected as a finalist for their Alberta Business Awards of Distinction for the second consecutive year. Champion shared finalist status in the Export Category with Medicine Hat companies Solutions Thru Software, Corelube Equipment and SHAC Environmental Products Inc.
In accepting the award, Champion President and CEO, Frank Burdzy said the recognition was a big honour for himself and the 225 employees he represented. “I can tell you Alberta is a great place to do business,”Burdzy said, adding he was pleased to have the business based in Morinville. “Whether it’s Moscow or Moosejaw, Thunderbay or Thailand, it’s made in Morinville, Alberta.”
Burdzy was not alone in being pleased with the nomination. Morinville and District Chamber of Commerce President Simon Boersma said Champion’s being a finalist for a second year in a row was something the community and region should be proud of. “I’m very proud of Champion,” Boersma said. “I’m elated with the fact a business within our community got an award of Distinction. It’s amazing.”
Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock MLA Maureen Kubinec was also pleased with the provincial recognition for the local company and posted her enthusiasm on Twitter Friday night. “Yeah. So Proud,” Kubinec wrote.
Although Champion has been an Alberta Business Awards of Distinction finalist two years running and taken the award this time around, it is not the first award nomination they have received. The company won Pet Food of the Year in 2011-2012 from the Glycemic Research Institute of Washington, DC, Ernst & Young’s Manufacturer of the Year, Western Canada Entrepreneur of the Year in 2008-2009, as well as a pair of provincial awards in 2007.
OTHER AWARD WINNERS
Aboriginal Women Entrepreneur Award of Distinction was presented to Plan4ward of Edmonton.
The Diversity Leadership Award of Distinction was presented to Enbridge Pipelines.
Employer of Persons with Disabilities Award of Distinction was presented to Enbridge Pipelines.
Employer of Youth Award of Distinction went to Syncrude Canada Ltd.
Small Business Award of Distinction was presented to SUNDOG Tour Co. Of Jasper.
Aboriginal Relations – Best Practices Award of Distinction was presented to Bigstone-Tansi Camp and Catering Ltd. of Edmonton.
Eagle Feather Business Award of Distinction was awarded to Canadian North of Calgary.
The Marketing Award of Distinction was awarded to Friday’s Image of Medicine Hat.
Youth Entrepreneur Award of Distinction was presented to Partek IT Solutions and Imperial Gardens Sports, the first time two winners were elected for the category.