Six companies honoured at the 2017 Business Transfer Awards ceremony

Montreal, May 29, 2017 – Over 250 invited guests were on hand at the closing ceremony of the eleventh edition of the Business Transfer Awards. Ricardo Larrivée, chef, entrepreneur and co-founder of RICARDO Media, was the Honorary President at this evening hosted by Sonia Boisvert, Partner and Leader of Famille inc. at PwC Canada. The Awards are organized by PwC Canada and its partners to celebrate the achievements of Quebec businesses that have successfully navigated the succession process, thereby ensuring their long-term sustainability and growth. “We need to be talking more about business transfers,” said Ricardo Larrivée. “Over the next few years many entrepreneurs will be reaching retirement age, so it is essential to encourage the next generation of SME entrepreneurs to carry the baton through the next leg of the race. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners. Each one of you is an inspiration to coming generations of entrepreneurs.”

“We have been seeing more and more initiatives and programs focused on entrepreneurship in Quebec,” said Martine Collins, Senior Manager, Private Company Services at PwC Canada. “The same can be said of business transfers. Entrepreneurial intentions have even reached an all-time high in Quebec, particularly among young people. A contest like the Business Transfer Awards is a great way to generate discussion, celebrate these examples of successful transfers and encourage others to follow in their footsteps.”

Six companies were honoured this year in two separate succession categories. They were presented by Martin Deschênes, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Deschenes Group Inc., and Serge Beauchemin, entrepreneur and investor.

Family Transfer category

Gold: Groupe Touchette

http://www.grtouchette.com/en/home.html

From an early start in a mechanical workshop in 1979, Groupe Touchette now operates from over 30 distribution centres from Moncton to Vancouver, as well as several retail service centres – through its banner programs: Touchette Pneus Mécanique, ICI Pneu and Tireland. With over 500 employees, Groupe Touchette is the largest tire distributor in Canada for tire manufacturers, car manufacturers (OEMs), car dealers and independent customers, via its two divisions TireLink and DT Tire.

Silver: Techno Diesel

http://www.technodiesel.com

Founded in 1977, Techno Diesel is the largest heavy vehicle maintenance and repair centre on Montreal’s north shore. Now in its 40th year, Techno Diesel has continued to grow in order to better serve its customers with a very broad range of products and services for the transportation industry. For this reason, its service territory has continued to expand, and the regional company has become a business that is developing across the province.

Bronze: Café Expert   

https://www.cafe-expert.com/a-propos/

Café Expert is a family business specialized in vending machines in the workplace. Its mission is to improve the quality of working life for employees through the efficient distribution of quality products. For over 20 years, the quality of Café Expert’s service and products and the passion of all its staff have allowed the company to be counted among the best in the industry.

Entrepreneurial Transfer category

Gold: Agro 100   

http://agro-100.ca/

From its earliest days in 1990, Agro-100 has specialized in conducting research on, manufacturing and marketing high technology agricultural products that capitalize on the recovery of residual fertilizing matter. For Agro-100, environmental sustainability means constantly looking for innovative approaches and using products that reduce its carbon footprint. The goal is to preserve, and leave to future generations, a fertile and healthy environment that is rich in its diversity.

Silver: Electrimat

www.electrimat.com

Founded in 1980, Electrimat was acquired in 2011 by its current owners and has since experienced explosive growth. Today Electrimat is one of the leading vendors of electrical, heating and lighting equipment, in both the retail and wholesale markets. The company serves the industrial, commercial, institutional, residential and utilities markets.

Bronze: Vulcan

www.vulcanhoist.com

Vulcan Hoist Co. Ltd. is a manufacturer of lifting equipment established in 1947. This Montreal-based company is the only Canadian manufacturer of electric hoists and trolleys. Vulcan is best known for its ability to custom-build products to meet the specific needs of each application. In addition to sales, the company’s local staff provide rental, repair and certification services.

PwC Canada, along with its contest partners National Bank, the Business Development Bank of Canada, BCF Business Law, the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, HEC Montréal, La Presse + and Toast Studio, would like to congratulate the winners of this eleventh edition of the contest. Please see www.lesmedaillesdelareleve.com/en/ for further details.