Energy sector takes top spots at regional innovation awards

Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) and the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) recently announced the winners and finalists of the 2010 Regional Innovation Awards for new technology, and the energy sector had a strong showing. The awards recognize small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for their innovative excellence in the development and application of innovative new technologies across Canada.

"On behalf of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters and NRC-IRAP, we congratulate all winners and finalists on their achievements and successes realized by developing and implementing innovative new technologies into their products and processes," said Diane de Jong, executive director of CME’s Innovation Insights program. "Turning innovative ideas into action will set our nation apart on the world stage. Through inspiration and innovation, these companies have challenged the status quo and succeeded."

In Atlantic/Nunavut, the winning company is SHIFT Energy Inc., a Saint John, N.B.-based company specializing in information technology, telecommunications, electrical engineering and environmental science. The finalists include Flakeboard Company Limited, a manufacturer of a diverse line of composite panel products, based in St. Stephen, N.B., and Marport Canada Inc., a St. John’s, NL-based company specializing in the design and development of a software-centric sonar architecture implemented on reconfigurable embedded hardware.

In Quebec, the winning company is Quebec City’s Medicago, a manufacturer of plant-based vaccines. The finalists are automation solutions provider Axium Inc. and Marquez Transtech, a manufacturer and integrator of advanced composite and thermoplastic components for the aerospace and mass transit sectors, both based in Montreal. Manufacturier Minier CMAC-Thyssen Inc., a Val d’Or-based provider of equipment and services for the mining industry, was also a finalist.

In Ontario, the winning company is Toronto’s Cavet Technologies Inc., a lighting solutions company. The finalists are A.O Smith WPC Canada, a manufacturer of water heaters and boilers from Fergus, and technology development firm Chinook Mobile Heating & Deicing Corporation, from Smiths Falls.

In Western Canada, the winning company is Boreal Laser Inc., a Spruce Grove, Alta.-based manufacturer of portable and fixed open-path infrared-based toxic gas detection equipment. The finalists are Ground Effects Environmental Services Inc., a full-service environmental remediation company from Regina, Sask., and Westward Industries, a manufacturer of street-legal three wheeled vehicles, based in St. François Xavier, Man.

In B.C./Yukon, the winner is Corvus Energy Ltd., a Richmond, B.C.-based company designing and manufacturing ithium ion batteries. The finalists are Energy Aware Technology Inc., a developer of in-home energy displays, based in Vancouver, and Star Solutions International, a developer and manufacturer of wireless technologies from Richmond.

www.cme-mec.ca

www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca