A brokerage and a restoration company have been recognized among Canada’s Best Managed Companies for a third straight year.
Cowan Insurance Group first earned this prestigious national designation in 2012, requalified in 2013 and again in 2014, retaining their status as a Best Managed Company.
Also duplicating the feat was the restoration and remediation company STRONE, based out of Oakville, Ont.
“We are humbled and grateful to have requalified for this award once again and share this honour with our employees, whose ongoing dedication, expertise and commitment to our clients helps us exceed expectations day in, day out,” said Heather McLachlin, President of Cowan Insurance Group. “It is truly an honour to be counted among the best and brightest organizations this country has to offer.”
This national award is sponsored by Deloitte, CIBC, the National Post, Queen’s School of Business and MacKay CEO Forums.
Established in 1993, Canada’s Best Managed Companies is a national awards program that recognizes Canadian companies that have implemented world-class business practices and created value in innovative ways. Every year, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies compete for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates the calibre of their management abilities and practices.
“We are thrilled and very honoured to have requalified as a Best Managed company in Canada,” said Steve Blinco, Co-CEO Support Services at STRONE. “Honours such as this are an endorsement of our employees’ sacrifice, hard work, and dedication. We thank them along with our clients and partners for helping us achieve this esteemed recognition.”
With growth through acquisitions in recent years, STRONE’s focus has turned to identifying internal efficiencies while increasing service levels and capacity.
“Our employees have demonstrated a strong commitment to deliver an exceptional level of customer service, while enhancing our systems and processes support our growing company,” said Blinco. “We have been fortunate to recognize significant increases in new accounts as a direct result of this commitment.”
Cowan’s continued success as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies is the result of their ongoing focus on three core strategic priorities, which form the foundation of their strategic plan: an unwavering commitment to their core business and client base; a multi-line sales approach that delivers innovative, client-driven product and service solutions; and strong strategic partnerships based on providing clients with leading-edge industry expertise and thought leadership.
“Today’s market place is not just about financial performance; it is also about the investment in the people. Cowan Insurance Group invests in their team to build up a strong and stable company. Best Managed companies are home grown companies making smart investments to achieve above average returns,” says Peter Brown, National Co-Leader of Canada’s Best Managed Companies Program and Senior Practice Partner, Deloitte. (continued.)
#pb#
Cowan Insurance Group’s success and recognition as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies can best be attributed to their employees, their commitment to high performance and leadership development, and a reputation for knowing their customers better than anyone else, said Jon Hountalas, Executive Vice-President, Business Banking, CIBC.
“CIBC celebrates the accomplishments of this year’s winners who have demonstrated the highest levels of business excellence,” said Hountalas. “We applaud their ability to adapt to the changing marketplace and the evolving needs of their clients.”
This year’s winners of the Canada’s Best Managed Companies award will be honoured at the annual gala in Toronto on March 31, 2015.
