On October 20th, 2009, The Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council – CAMSC – held its annual Business Achievement Awards Dinner and Gala. Taking place at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, the Business Achievement Awards paid special tribute to the champions in leadership and commitment to diversity, being demonstrated by some of Canada’s most influential corporations in the global marketplace.
CBC Newsworld anchor and host of the program Absolutely Canadian – Carla Robinson emceed a packed house of corporate supporters, government officials and aboriginal and minority suppliers in attendance.
Tewanee Joseph, CEO of Four Host First Nations Secretariat for VANOC 2010, was the keynote speaker for the event. His address outlined a common vision that enabled a true partnership between Four Host First Nations and VANOC, resulting in unprecedented aboriginal participation in the planning and staging of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. Mr. Joseph indicated in his speech that more than 100 aboriginal businesses are working on games related activities, resulting in over $53 million in procurement.
A key feature of the gala, exclusive to the Business Achievement Awards was the Aboriginal and Minority art showcase, curated by the Maslak McLeod Gallery. Great admiration and appreciation was expressed by the audience for the extraordinary talent on display, by the works of high-profile Canadian Aborginal and Minority artists, including Norval Morriseau and Alfred Villeneuve. To view art displayed, and for additional photos of the event, visit: www.camsc.ca.
CAMSC acknowledges the participating sponsors, whose generous contributions assisted in making the Business Achievement Awards a great success. Sponsors include Cisco, RBC, Kraft, Pepsico, Grand & Toy, Chrysler, and many others. To view a full list of sponsors, click here:
The extraordinary event also honoured Chrysler as Corporation of the Year and Jyco Sealing Technologies as Small Business of the Year:
Supplier of the Year – Jyco Sealing Technologies, Sherbrooke, QC
Awarded to the year’s outstanding aboriginal or minority-owned business, based on growth and development, export sales growth, and major accomplishments during the previous year.
This extraordinary recognition is received as a result contracts secured in the previous fiscal year. For Jyco, it translates to $32 million dollars in spend from Chrysler LLC. Jyco specializes in the design, engineering and production of thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) seals for the automotive and construction industries. Located in Sherbrooke, QC, Jyco has been a world leader in automotive weather-sealing applications since the opening of its manufacturing plant in 2000. Jyco’s innovation lies in its diversification: Superior sealing technology, greener processing and products, and its agile, innovative nature have allowed Jyco to quickly reposition for future growth in high-performance dynamic closure sealing applications in a broader range of industrial, construction and appliance markets, as well as in highly specialized applications ranging from agriculture to funeral casket gaskets to work trucks.
Corporation of the Year – Chrysler LLC, Ltd.
This award is for leaders who exemplify the very best in corporate practice when it comes to the promotion of supplier diversity. They constantly strive for excellence and pro-actively include certified aboriginal and minority suppliers in their procurement opportunities, assist in the development of aboriginal and minority suppliers, and passionately promote supplier diversity and business development within their own organization as well as the broader business community.
The Chrysler LLC Group was formed in 2009 by a strategic alliance with the Fiat Group to produce Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Mopar and Global Electric Motors (GEM) vehicles and products.
In 1993, an innovative approach to minority sourcing was introduced when the former Chrysler developed the Tier 2 reporting program. The company recognized its key suppliers’ efforts to source to minority-owned companies. This approach has been adopted industry-wide as an enabler to increase spending in minority communities. 25 years later, in the Fiscal 2008 calendar year, Chrysler achieved $3.9 billion in minority supplier spending. Of this spend, $55 million has been facilitated by CAMSC.
“Chrysler Group has worked for many years to build and strengthen our minority supply base,” said Kevin L. Bell, Senior Manager – Diversity Supplier Development, Chrysler Group LLC. “Chrysler Group will continue to create opportunities for aboriginal and minority-owned suppliers in Canada because these businesses are often the most nimble, innovative and resilient in confronting the challenges and opportunities of today’s global automotive marketplace.”
For more information on Chrysler’s commitment to diversity, visit: supplierdiversity.chrysler.com
The Business Achievement Awards, recognizes and celebrates the outstanding successes and achievements of aboriginal and minority-owned businesses and honours Canadian corporations who are leading the way in diversifying their supply chain to reflect their local community and customer base.