TORONTO – Among Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies for 2006 are three from the TV and telecom industries.
After reviewing thousands of applications from companies across the country, Halifax-based cable and telecom company EastLink, broadcaster Pelmorex Media (The Weather Network/MétéoMédia) and broadcast technology manufacturer Evertz Technologies each made the list.
The annual awards program is sponsored by Deloitte, CIBC Commercial Banking, National Post and Queen’s University School of Business.
“The 2006 Best Managed winners are an outstanding group of Canadian-owned and managed companies that have proven their remarkable ability and commitment to apply best practices to all areas of their business operations,” said John Hughes, partner, private company services group with Deloitte, “These companies clearly demonstrate innovation, leadership and a laser focus on their customers and employees. Their example illustrates that focusing on business fundamentals while pursuing a clearly defined strategy is key to achieving exceptional results.”
Established in 1993, the Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies is a national awards program, recognizing Canadian companies that have implemented world-class business practices and created value in innovative ways. Applications are reviewed by an independent judging panel that evaluates how companies address various business challenges, including new technologies, globalization, brand management, leadership, leveraging and developing core competencies, designing information systems, and hiring the right talent to facilitate growth.
“EastLink is honoured and thrilled to be named one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies,” said Lee Bragg, co-CEO of EastLink. “It’s EastLink’s people that truly set us apart from our competitors and are the reason we have achieved this designation. It is their flexibility, commitment and enthusiasm that supports our success and has made us a leading provider of communications and entertainment services.”
For over 35 years, EastLink, which now has over 750 employees, has connected Maritimers to a world of entertainment. In 1999, the company diversified its business to become the first cable company in Canada to enter the local telephone market. This achievement created one of the most competitive telephone area codes in North America.
“This award recognizes the accomplishments of all of our employees,” said Pierre Morrissette, president and CEO of Pelmorex Media Inc. “I am proud to share this award with all of our 350 employees who share our commitment at being the best at what we do”.
The Weather Network and its French counterpart, MétéoMédia, are among the most popular media brands in Canada and the undisputed leader of weather information services in Canada across all mediums including cable, satellite, internet, wireless and newspapers.
Evertz designs, manufactures and markets video and audio infrastructure equipment for the production, post production, broadcast and internet protocol television (“IPTV”) industry. The company’s solutions are purchased by content creators, broadcasters, specialty channels and television service providers to support their increasingly complex multi-channel digital and high definition television (“HDTV”) broadcast environments and by telecommunications companies to roll out IPTV.
The Burlington, Ont.-based company has about 430 employees and its products allow customers to generate additional revenue while reducing costs through the more efficient signal routing, distribution, monitoring and management of content as well as the automation of previously manual processes.
