Mining suppliers successful in Global Traders Awards. (Mining).

Three mining supply firms and their national export trade association were honoured in the Ontario Northern Region Global Traders Award ceremony held in North Bay on April 11, 2002. Given the importance to mining supply in the north of the province, it is not surprising that mining supply companies were prominent among the firms that were selected.

The Global Traders Awards, designed to recognize excellence in exporting, are given in four regions of the province. The award categories cover innovation, market expansion, partnership, student achievement and leadership. The winners of the Regional Awards are now in the running for provincial honours, to be announced at a ceremony in Toronto on May 15.

WipWare Inc. received an Honourable Mention for Innovation. Their technology allows measurement of the size distribution of rock fragments to optimize blasting or processing. In the Market Expansion category, HLS Hard-line Solutions Inc. was given an Honourable Mention for their penetration of Latin American markets with their robotic control systems and mine communications infrastructure. McIntosh Engineering Ltd. won an Award of Merit in the same category, recognizing the growth of their export sales of mining consulting, engineering and design services.

In the Leadership category awards are given to individuals. Tom Palangio of WipWare received an Honourable Mention for leading the growth of his company and for his activities with the Blue Sky Economic Partnership Mining Sector. This is a regional, sectoral approach to economic development, centred around North Bay.

Jon Baird, Managing Director of CAMESE - the Canadian Association of Mining Equipment and Services for Export was the winner of the Regional Award for leadership. Over the past few years, CAMESE has greatly expanded its membership and the services that it provides to Canadian mining suppliers seeking to benefit from global markets.