National Bank announces this year's winners in SMEs of the National Bank recognition program

The National Bank today announced the winners in the sixth edition of its Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises of the National Bank recognition program.

Certain changes were made to the program categories this year in order to better reflect economic reality with respect to its clients. The present categories are:

- Small Business: less than $1 million in sales;

- SME: $1 million to $15 million in sales;

- Agricultural SME: less than $15 million in sales.

Candidates are nominated locally by the Bank's regional managers, who are asked to submit the names of companies that have distinguished themselves through their competence, their dynamic approach and the quality of their human resources management.

Three winning businesses were selected from each of the Bank's 19 administrative regions in Quebec to take part in the provincial finals.

As André Bérard, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Bank stated, when addressing business owners at the awards ceremony, "We greatly value the honour you do us by choosing to deal with the National Bank, and your trust in us deserves our full recognition. It is for you that we form alliances with key financial players in order to make their expertise and financing networks available to you. And it is for you that we develop points of entry to foreign markets and provide expert advice when you are all set to penetrate those markets."

This year, the National Bank was able to count on the cooperation of the following partners in developing its recognition program: TVA network, Probec, IBM, Samson Bélair, and National Bank Financial.

The winners were selected by two independent juries at the National Bank, one of which was exclusively for the agricultural sector.

Small Business

Les Services de soins de santé Opti-Soins inc. ranked first in the Small Business category. Opti-Soins began its activities in Saguenay 13 years ago, and offers health services that complement public health resources. It has been offering treatment both at home and in a hospital context since 1986 and in 1992, it opened its first clinic for providing services to businesses. Opti-Soins also gives training courses in resuscitation, first aid and health in the work place.

SME

The company PRIMA Telematic Inc. was awarded first prize in the SME category. PRIMA specializes in integrating technologies that help bridge the gap between telephony and information technology. Founded in 1988, the company designs and installs the software used in the technological infrastructures of call centres.

PRIMA's expertise covers all aspects of setting up call centres. Not only does it develop strategies and implement interactive communication systems designed to enhance performance, but it also ensures the subsequent management and follow-up of the selected technological environment.

Agricultural Enterprise

Ferme avicole Jean Brodeur Inc. was honoured in the Agricultural Enterprise category. This family-run poultry farm has been in business for three generations. It was founded by the grandfather, Armand, in 1940, and his son took over in 1967. The business is now run by Jean Brodeur and his two sons, Francis and Miguel.

Each year, the poultry farm produces some 788,000 dozen eggs, 500,000 broiling chickens and 30,000 young laying hens. Ferme avicole Jean Brodeur distinguishes itself by the ultra-modern equipment it uses, resulting in increased productivity, by the quality of its products and, the owners insist, by their love for their work.

Source :

Jocelin Dumas
Directeur des communications
(514) 394-6990