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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2009-12-02, Page 17News The Huron Expositor • December 2, 2009 Page 17 Huron manufacturers honoured at HMA awards Cheryl Heath 2009 has been a banner year for Hu- ron Park and Centralia. And that fact was made abundantly clear Nov. 12, as three of the region's businesses took home the top awards in the Huron Manufacturing Associa- tion's fourth -annual awards night at the Regional Equine & Agriculture Centre of Huron (REACH) in Clinton. Goderich Aircraft Inc., whose hum- ble beginnings included renting out half its hangar to marinas seeking boat storage, confirmed its status as a big player in the manufacturing world with its recent 43,000 square -foot ex- • pansion and plans to employ 250 more people. Andy Orr, vice-president sales, was surrounded by members of the compa- ny's team while accepting the night's top award as Manufacturer of the Year from Huron County Warden Ken Oke. In. crediting the company for posting one success story after another, Oke said he has personally been a "chief cheerleader". for the Goderich Aircraft Inc. The company, which refurbishes and rehabilitates used airliners for upscale customers, also took home the Innova- tive Manufacturing Award for 21 or more employees. "We're very proud to be in Huron County," said Orr. "We're going in the right direction and looking forward to many more years." Exi-Plast Custom Moulding Inc., of Huron Park, was the night's other top award winner. Its first award came in the form of an, Innovative Manufacturing Award as a company employing 20 or fewer people. Company representative Frank Zwalksky said, "It's great to be recog- nized." Exi-Plast was also honoured as the winner of HMA's Innovative Product Award category for transferring a good idea into a product through its 60 -plus rain barrel. "We created a better product," said Zwalksy, not- ing some of the barrel's accoutre- ments include a larger size, easi- ness to ship as well as its attrac tive design. R&R Machine and Thol, of the Wingham area, also proved to be a big award winner by taking home the Corporate Citizen- ship Award for outstanding contribu- tions to the community in the 20 em- ployees or less category. Ron Scholten, of R&R, noted the company started in 1984 as a welding shop and then grew as Wescast Inc. of Wingham grew. "I think we have our own part to play," he said, noting the company reaches out to the community by sup- porting a number of fundraisers and through the company's own appren- ticeship programs. "I'm a very strong believer in it," he said. R&R also took home the trophy for the HMNs new Manufacturing Men- tor Program Award. "Mentoring them is the best part of the whole thing," said Scholten. Further, Tyler Campbell, who in- terned with R&R, proved to be the Ju- nior Manufacturing of the Year award - winner. Kenpal Farm Products Inc. also earned a number of honours including the Youth Integration Award for its commitment to mentoring and train- ing youth. The Centralia -based company also earned the HMA's first-ever Health & Safety Award. Company representative Frank Palen said one of the company's priori- ties is to track all of its products. "It eventually goes into the food chain so we have many checks and balances," he said. Andex Metal Products Inc., of Ex- eter, took home the Corporate Citizen Award for companies employing more than 20 people. Brian Law, general manger ofAndex, noted the company is celebrating 40 years in business this year, and part of the reason for its success is its decision to move to Huron County where there is a skilled work- force and strong community spirit. Indeed, said Law, those assets Vei4'eek 's & Garden Centre Christmas Trees are Ilere! Pine & Fraser Fir, Bows, Curly & Red Dogwood Branches, Cedar Rope $3199 for 75 ft. 22 Isaac St., Clinton 519-482-9333 make it easy for the company to want to support community initiatives, like the Huron Country Playhouse, as well as youth -oriented bursaries and train- ing programs. "We are a firm believer in our youth," he said. Andex also took home the Employer of the Year Award. That award came in part thanks to a plant expansion in Exeter, and the company's commit- ment to on-site training programs and profit plans for staff. Law said the company makes it a practice to fully train new hires before putting them on machinery He also noted there are some staff that have been with the company for more than 35 years. He added the privately -held compa- ny has spent more than $4 million to improve the manufacturing facilities in Exeter. "We think an awful lot of Huron County, and that's where the expan- sions are going," he said. Meanwhile, the }MA's Green Lead- er Award was presented to Vanastra's CAP Products Ltd. for its dedication to reducing its carbon footprint as well as its ongoing commitment to environ- ment friendly practices. Zbm Costello, of CAP, said some of the company's efforts include the re- covering oil from shavings, installing high -efficiency lighting at its facility and ceasing the use of stretch film. United Communities Credit Union proved to be one of the night's honorees as the Outstanding Associate Member award winner. Jim Lynn, presi- dent and Chief Executive Offi- cer of the credit union, credited the HMA with providing a "great Head Office Exeter, ON 519-235-0350 •Est.1876 Residential Farm & Commercial Properties DIRECTORS & ADJUSTERS Joe Chante, R.R. 5 Mitchell 519.348.9705 Tom Feeney, R.R. 2 Dublin 519-345.2947 Larry Gardiner, R.R. 2 Stalfa 519-345-2678 Jack Hodpert, R.R. 1 larkton 519-229-6152 Nidal O'Shea, RR 2 Zurich 519-236-9900 Morris Willows, Mi1cheN 519.348-4829 Wayne Mayer Exeter 519-235-1915 0 David Moore Dublin 519-345-2512 JaMchac eUn 519-348-9012 Barb Worden Staffs 519-345.2777 JeremZy 519.238.4391 service for the communities." And, he said, the credit union's award comes on the heels of the credit union's staff and board of directors' dedication to serving the region. The HMA introduced several new awards at the session, including an Exporting Award to companies that have excelled in creating new mar- kets, acquiring a market share and acquiring a piece of the global market pie. The Garlic Box, of Hensall, garnered the prize for companies employing fewer than 20 people. Jackie Rowe, of The Garlic Box, cred- ited the dedication of her staff, Bonnie Lawrence and Karen Jones, and her husband Jim, for the company's on- going success in markets stretching north to Nunavut and overseas. Iceculture Inc., also of Hensall, won the Exporting Award for companies with more than 20 people for its ongo- ing success story in the Far East. See SELISKE, Page 21 FOSTER FAMILIES NEEDED FOR SCHOOL Huron- a th, AGED CHILDREN! chilmresfrif Help Children from Your Community For Information Call the Huron -Perth Children's Aid Society Huron County: Deanie Jardine at 519-524-7356 or 1-800-265-5198 Perth County: Vy Waller at 519-271-5290 or 1800-668-5094 ..for a SuccessuI Job Search ',fREE One Day Workshop in... ✓ Resume Preparation M ✓ Interview Techniques !Centre for Employment and Leaming. Goderich 519-524-2515 Clinton 519-482-1700 Seaforth 519-527-0305 i ' PLOYMENT •.NTARIO