The 2018 winners of Canada’s leading business awards program represent the cream of the crop of Canadian owned and managed companies with revenue over 15 million that demonstrate strategy, capability and commitment to achieve sustainable growth.    

Canada’s Best Managed Companies program, now in its 25th year, is the leading awards program of the country celebrating the merits of Canadian owned and managed companies for their innovative and world class commercial practices. Every year, hundreds of companies compete for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates their management abilities and practices.    

Bringing together more than 850 independent dealers who sell some 2 million tires a year, Unimax initiated a major shift two years ago by substituting its main Unipneu banner for the Point S commercial name. This move allowed Unimax to grow its purchasing power and improve its customer shopping experience. Since then the company has come to see the notoriety of its new commercial name outperform the Unipneu signature that had been a staple of the retail landscape for the last 35 years.  

“To be listed among the best in their category, companies must go beyond showing a solid financial performance,” said Peter Brown, Partner, Deloitte and co-leader of Canada’s leading business awards program.

“Achieving sustained growth and a solid overall performance stems from a company-wide combination of efforts and commitment.”  The applicants are evaluated by an independent judging panel whose members are representatives of the program sponsors, as well as special guests. The best managed companies of 2018 have in common a clear strategy and vision, an investment in capability and a commitment to recruiting top talent.  

“We have standardized our image, focused on marketing tools and implemented a Best Practices Guide,” explains Bruno Leclair, President & Chief Executive Officer. “No unpleasant surprises await customers in our points of sale. It’s the same quality across the board and a promise of compliance to estimates.”  

“The best managed companies deserve to be celebrated for their entrepreneurial approach aiming for excellence in an uncertain economic climate. They bring out the best in Canadian business leadership,” said Peter Brown, partner at Deloitte, and co-leader of Canada’s Best Managed Companies program.  The latest crop of Canada’s Best Managed Companies having made the 2018 list will be celebrated at an exclusive annual gala celebration to be held in Toronto on April 11, 2018. On the same day, the Canada’s Best Managed Companies symposium will focus on the major business matters at the core of the success of today’s corporate leaders.  The Best Managed Companies program is sponsored by Deloitte, CIBC, Canadian Business, Smith School of Business, TMX Group and Machay CEO Forums.