BLACKS HARBOUR, NB — For the fourteenth year in a row, family-owned and operated Cooke Aquaculture Inc. is a 2019 winner of the Canada’s Best Managed Companies Platinum Club designation, having retained its Best Managed designation for seven consecutive years or more.
The 2019 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. Now in its 26th year, Canada’s Best Managed Companies is one of the country’s leading business awards programs recognizing Canadian-owned and managed companies for innovative, world-class business practices. Every year, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies compete for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates the calibre of their management abilities and practices.
“Best Managed companies are elevating Canada’s place on the world-stage,” said Lorrie King, Partner, Deloitte Private and Co-Leader, Canada’s Best Managed Companies program. “By broadening their network, and thinking globally, the Best Managed program is honouring these winners for their achievements in Canadian business, and growing influence worldwide.”
Applicants are evaluated by an independent judging panel comprised of representatives from program sponsors in addition to special guest judges. 2019 Best Managed companies share commonalities that include a clear strategy and vision, investment in capability and commitment to talent.
“Serving our customers while focusing on environmental stewardship remains at the forefront of our sustainable growth strategy,” said Glenn Cooke, CEO of Cooke Aquaculture Inc. “Regardless of what country we operate in or sell to, we understand that our relationship with the environment is vital to our business and to producing top quality seafood. We view this as a significant component of our corporate social responsibility. There is always room for improvement – and we continue to try new techniques, implement new practices and test new equipment. We know the company depends on a healthy marine environment for growing and harvesting seafood.”
In January, Cooke Aquaculture was recognized by Natural Resources Magazine’s Industry Excellence Awards as Exporter of the Year and received an Honourable Mention for being the first company in Atlantic Canada to launch eco-friendly vessel technology to remove parasites that attach to farmed salmon. Cooke has invested millions of dollars in research, development and engineering to build a complement of ‘green’ fish health treatment options.
“Additionally, caring for the communities where we operate is a big priority. Providing good jobs and contributing to the success of local communities is of personal importance to me and my family, and we will continue to do everything we can to support our people at work and at home,” said Glenn Cooke.
In Atlantic Canada alone, Cooke Aquaculture spends over $231 million annually buying from 1,269 local small and medium businesses across New Brunswick, PEI, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.
“As a family-owned company, we believe in buying from local suppliers whenever possible. As we grow, so does our economic impact here at home in Atlantic Canada. We appreciate all the small and medium businesses that support us and the thousands of hardworking families working in aquaculture,” added Cooke.
“Companies that earn Platinum Club status, exemplify exceptional vision and leadership and a sustained commitment to growth and innovation,” said Dino Medves, Senior Vice President and Head, CIBC Commercial Banking. “CIBC is proud to recognize these and all of the 2019 Canada’s Best Managed Companies as leaders in their industries.”
2019 winners of the Canada’s Best Managed Companies award will be honoured at the annual Canada’s Best Managed Companies gala in Toronto on April 17, 2019. The Best Managed program is sponsored by Deloitte Private, CIBC, Canadian Business, Smith School of Business, and TMX Group.
About Cooke Aquaculture Inc.
Cooke Aquaculture Inc. began in 1985 as a small salmon farming company in New Brunswick. They pursued aggressive growth, focusing on diversification acquisitions. It is a vertically integrated seafood farming corporation with operations in Atlantic Canada, United States, Chile, Scotland, Spain, Uruguay, Honduras and Nicaragua. The Cooke family of companies employ 9,000 and include US and South American wild fisheries. Cooke’s head office is in Blacks Harbour, NB, and ships fresh, sustainable True North Seafood branded products to 65 countries. True North Seafood is proud to offer products that meet certifications such as; Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP), Soil Association Organic, BRC Global Standards, Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Certified Responsible Fisheries (Alaska Seafood). Cooke Inc. achieved the #1 spot on the SeafoodSource list of Top 10 North American Seafood Suppliers.
About Canada’s Best Managed Companies
Canada’s Best Managed Companies continues to be the mark of excellence for Canadian-owned and managed companies with revenues over $15 million. Every year since the launch of the program in 1993, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies have competed for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates their management skills and practices. The awards are granted on four levels: 1) Canada’s Best Managed Companies new winner (one of the new winners selected each year); 2) Canada’s Best Managed Companies winner (award recipients that have re-applied and successfully retained their Best Managed designation for two additional years, subject to annual operational and financial review); 3) Gold Standard winner (after three consecutive years of maintaining their Best Managed status, these winners have demonstrated their commitment to the program and successfully retained their award for 4-6 consecutive years); 4) Platinum Club member (winners that have maintained their Best Managed status for seven years or more). Program sponsors are Deloitte Private, CIBC, Canadian Business, Smith School of Business, and TMX Group. For more information, visit www.bestmanagedcompanies.ca.
