DEBERT, N.S. – A Debert manufacturer has been recognized for its business success and growth with the “prestigious” Canada’s Best Managed Companies (CBMC) designation.
Kohltech Windows and & Entrance Systems was recognized for overall business performance and sustained growth.
Now, in its 25th year, the 2018 Best Managed program award winners are amongst the best-in-class of Canadian owned and managed companies with revenues over $15 million demonstrating strategy, capability and commitment to achieve sustainable growth.
Co-owner and CEO Carl Ballard said he attributes much of the reason for the company’s success and recognition to the dedication and commitment to quality and customer service provided by the plant’s employees.
“Our employees are very customer focused and I think that’s why we get a good recommendation from some of our long-term customers,” he said, of the more than 300 dealers Kohltech does business with in all 10 provinces and three territories across the country.
Kohltech has a dealer training centre at the Debert plant where they train newer clientele on how to sell their products and use the company software. The dealers also get a tour of the plant and get to meet a lot of employees to see first-hand the pride they take in what they are manufacturing, Ballard said.
“For us, some of the things that stand out in my mind are just our growth over the last few years and being successful in transitioning from being a top regional brand in Atlantic Canada to becoming a national brand,” he said, of the company’s expansion in recent years with a secondary plant in Edmonton.
Peter Brown, a co-leader in CBMC and a senior practice partner with Deloitte Canada (one of the award sponsors), also referred to Kohltech’s attention to customer service in a news release about the award.
“It’s more than just financial performance,” Brown said. “The ingredients to success also include overall business performance and sustained growth. It takes dedication and commitment from the entire organization.
The company and other 2018 winners of the Canada’s Best Managed Companies award will be honoured at the annual gala in Toronto on April 11.
FACTS:
- Kohltech has expanded its employee base at the Debert manufacturing facility to about 350 persons during peak-season months.
- It also has a peak season employment rate of about 100 – at its Edmonton plant.
- The company primarily sell its windows and entrance systems to independently owned building supply stores such as Home Hardware, Castle, Timber Mart and Rona and to window and door specialty stores.
