Leading off.

The December/January issue of Saskatchewan Business has come to be a personal favorite of mine in a very short time. Indeed it was just more than two years ago that we introduced the concept of selecting a Saskatchewan company as our Business of the Year, which we now annually feature in our December/January issue. And in the subsequent three December/January issues that have been printed since bestowing our first Business of the Year honor, I now know significantly more about three of our province's best companies. As a result, I have tome to a much greater appreciation and higher respect for not only these companies, but also for many others who are worthy of similar praise and accolades.

We often hear of the many reasons why companies don't want to call Saskatchewan home. This rings especially true thanks to our geographic location, where we have neighbors to the west and to the south of us that seem to have a higher appreciation of wealth creation. But what intrigues us here at Saskatchewan Business are the reasons why companies like our inaugural winner, Doepker Industries of Annaheim, last year's Business of the Year, Yanke Group of Companies, and the 2003 Business of the Year, Brandt Group of Companies, have chosen to stay here in Saskatchewan.

All three of these companies have had ample opportunity to relocate--and truth be told, all three have more than likely had plenty of reasons as well. Yet they each have remained here to provide employment, opportunity and a way of life for hundreds and hundreds of Saskatchewan families.

For as much as this angle has a feel-good aspect to it, what I appreciate even more is the fact that these companies are able to prove that wealth creation is possible in Saskatchewan. This is particularly true of this year's winner, Brandt Group of Companies, who is projecting total revenues for the current year to be somewhere in the $500 million range. Thirty years ago Brandt's revenue was around $1 million, while 15 years ago it was at $9 million. While these historic figures are enough to make many of us within the small business category in Saskatchewan drool with envy, it is the fact that the company has been able to grow from its formerly small business status to that of a large multi-national corporation that l personally find both astounding and inspiring.

It has not been a mere coincidence nor without justification that our respective Business of the Year companies have grown to become the highly successful businesses that they have. Rather, for each of these companies, this growth has been very much the result of a clear vision combined with hard work, calculated risk-taking and highly competent staff. The fact that it happens here at home is testament that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. I trust that with this in mind, beginning with this edition, our annual December/January issue may become one of your favorites as well.

Seasons Greetings and Happy New Year from everyone here at Sunrise Publishing.