Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
March 9, 2007

North Atlantic Refining Wins 2007 Exporter of the Year Award

The Honourable Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, Trevor Taylor, today announced that North Atlantic Refining Limited of Come-by-Chance is the winner of the 2007 Exporter of the Year Award. The winner was announced at the 22nd Newfoundland and Labrador Export Awards luncheon in St. John�s. The other finalists for the award were Hurley Slateworks Company Incorporated of Manuels and Provincial Aviation Modification Services Incorporated, a division of Provincial Aerospace Limited of St. John�s. Abbyshot Clothiers Limited of Mount Pearl received the Export Award of Merit for its outstanding exporting activity and success over the past year.

"Exporting is vital to the survival and long-term success of many of our companies. The Newfoundland and Labrador Exporter of the Year Award provides an opportunity to publicly recognize companies which have excelled in reaching new markets and increasing sales through export activities." said Minister Taylor. "As a government, we are committed to ensuring our companies have every advantage possible to reach their exporting goals and succeed in target marketplaces."

Minister Taylor and Bill Butler of Hi-Point Industries, the 2006 award winner, presented the award.

"Winning the 2007 Exporter of the Year Award is really a tribute to the work of the employees of North Atlantic Refining. They are very much the key to making our operation a success," said Gunther Baumgartner, President of North Atlantic Refining.

North Atlantic Refining has invested $600 million to help ensure the safety and integrity of its Come-by-Chance refinery. With exports topping $2 billion each year, the company�s 700 employees make and market some of the cleanest fuels on the world market. Named one of the TOP 100 companies to work for in Canada, North Atlantic contributes more than $140 million to the provincial economy, including $60 million in wages and $40 million in local procurement, and donates $250,000 to local charities annually.

Hurley Slateworks manufactures slate roof tiles used for new renovations and historic restorations. The slate products produced by the company are quarried from the oldest geological deposits in the world, created over 500 million years ago, and located in Conception Bay South. The company has been exporting since 2000, and is selling its product in 11 countries, including the U.S., United Kingdom, Ireland and Germany. The company plans to introduce its slate tiles in two new markets this year, namely Japan and New Zealand.

Provincial Aviation Modification Services Incorporated, a division of Provincial Airlines Limited (PAL) of St. John�s, has averaged fifty per cent annual growth in export sales over the past four years, reflecting PAL�s unwavering focus on innovation and customer service. The company developed and deployed the first program of its kind in the world for conducting maritime surveillance, then continued to work closely with its customers on innovations to enhance the program. The company�s export success is a reflection of its ability to learn from the experiences it has gained from 20 years as a maritime surveillance operator.

AbbyShot Clothiers Limited of Mount Pearl is a privately held corporation founded in July 2002. Its primary enterprise is the design and manufacture of custom-fitted, screen-accurate clothing. AbbyShot's garment designs are styled after clothing worn in movies, animated series, TV shows and computer games. Their products are distinctive in design and wearable as high-end everyday apparel. AbbyShot has quickly gained a global reputation for being the best there is in making screen-accurate clothing, a reputation earned through attention to the details of garment accuracy, quality, and durability.

Fifty-five companies were nominated for the 2007 Newfoundland and Labrador Exporter of the Year Award by industry associations, chambers of commerce, other companies and government agencies. Finalists were selected by an evaluation committee comprising representatives from Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, industry associations and the federal government. Criteria used in the evaluation process are developed from the National Export Awards.

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Media contact:
Lynn Evans
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
709-729-4570, 690-6290
lynnevans@gov.nl.ca

2007 03 09                                                     3:05 p.m.

 


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