2017 Family Enterprise of the Year Award
Oakville, ON – April 4, 2017 – The Family Enterprise Canada (FEC) is proud to announce Larsen & Shaw, a fourth-generation family-owned business as the 2017 FEC national Family Enterprise of the Year Award recipient. This prestigious honour will be presented at a spectacular gala dinner at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax, NS during our Family Enterprise Canada Symposium on June 12, 2017.
The Family Enterprise of Year Award (FEYA) was established in 1986 to celebrate and promote the achievements of Canadian business families and the considerable contribution they make to the economic and social fabric of both of their local communities and Canada as a whole.
Founded in Walkerton, Ontario in 1919, Larsen & Shaw is a leading manufacturer of hinges and metal stampings. The company supports 101 employees and operates in a 93,000 sq. ft. facility, utilizing state of the art metal stamping, forming, cutting, and electro-finishing technology. They design, build, and maintain all their tooling – which supports a high degree of customization and continuous improvement of production processes. A diverse range of industries utilize Larsen & Shaw hinges in emergency and service vehicles, boats, electrical enclosures, and agricultural and military equipment. The company’s architectural hinges are used throughout the continent in hospitals, schools, malls, and arenas. Larsen & Shaw hinges can be found in your local hardware store.
“Receiving the Family Enterprise of Year award is a great honour for our company.” says John Larsen of Larsen & Shaw. “We are thrilled for what it means to our employees, our community, and to manufacturing in Canada. And of course, it’s affirmation of the work of 4 generations over 98 years, which makes it a humbling experience for those of us accepting on their behalf and carrying on their legacy.”
“On behalf of the board and members of FEC, I extend a hearty congratulations to Larsen & Shaw as our national FEYA recipient for 2017.” said Allen S. Taylor, Chair of FEX. “Their success across 4 generations is tangible proof of what is possible when members of business family are united and share a vision to propel their family enterprise forward.”
Also being celebrated are FEYA national finalists, BRITT Land & Engagement and Doi Chaang Coffee. Established in 1986, BRITT Land & Engagement specializes in surface land projects in oil and gas, power, minerals, land asset management, telecom, and recently diversified into the engagement realm handing stakeholder and public engagement in Alberta and BC. Doi Chaan, a private Vancouver-based venture, which launched in 2007 distributing Doi Chaang Coffee throughout North America and Europe. Doi Chaang Coffee Company is a 50/50 relationship between the Darch family and the Akha Hill Tribe of Doi Chaang Village located in the infamous opium growing region of Northern Thailand.
The Family Enterprise of the Year Award (FEYA) recognizes and celebrates the significant achievements made by Canadian family enterprises in the hope that they can inspire others. The FEYA program showcases family businesses that demonstrate best practices in the area of family enterprise governance and transition and the benefits of drive, dedication, and commitment to employees and the community at large. To be eligible for the award, applicants must be a “family-owned business”, defined as a private or public company, organization, or holding company that is Canadian, multi-generational, and employs more than one family member.
FAMILY ENTERPRISE XCHANGE SYMPOSIUM | JUNE 12 – 14, 2017 | HALIFAX, NS
The Family Enterprise Canada Symposium provides the forum for you to be supported, inspired, educated, and connected to our national family enterprise community. This is the ultimate opportunity to network and learn from families, educators, and global thought-leaders from around the world while they inspire and engage us with their knowledge, experiences, and ideas, as we come together to learn, laugh, and lead with compassion and intelligence. Click here for more information, or to register for FEC Symposium 2017.
Family Enterprise Canada
The Family Enterprise Canada (FEC) is an independent association of business families and family enterprise professional advisors. The supportive community provides shared wisdom, world-class expertise, and education to address the realities and opportunities unique to family enterprise.
FEC provides a safe harbour community for members to share insights and experiences, as well as giving business families and advisors a voice that will be heard in the most influential political and economic circles in Canada. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that they’ll receive a unique blend of shared wisdom as well as experience, and the world’s best, leading-edge thinking and knowledge.
Media Contact
Jessica Pavkovic
Manager, Marketing & Communications
Family Enterprise Canada
T: 905.337.8375 ext. 227
E: jpavkovic@familyenterprise.ca