Last month, CARE Industries Ltd. received local accolades as a Red Deer Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year.
This month, it’s being applauded at the provincial level for winning an Alberta Export Award.
The Red Deer company was presented with the New Exporter Award at the 2010 Alberta Export Awards gala luncheon in Calgary on Friday. It was among 10 winners recognized at the awards, which were organized through the Alberta Division of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters.
CARE manufactures drilling and service rigs, and has been shipping equipment to South America — most notably heli-portable drilling rigs.
Founded in 1999 by Barry Anderson as a repair and retrofit shop, CARE — whose name stands for Central Alberta Rig and Equipment — began manufacturing oilfield equipment in 2005. It was purchased in 2008 by David Leonard and Doug Quinn, with Leonard serving as president.
The company began pursuing international opportunities, and has benefited from its close relationship with Tuscany International Drilling Inc. of Calgary. Tuscany is active in South America.
In October, CARE was named the Red Deer Chamber’s Business of the Year in the 16- to 49-employee category.
A news release issued by the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters praised CARE for its contributions to the Central Alberta and Alberta economies.
“They have created jobs by hiring full-time employees and have also sparked job creation for other companies and suppliers.”
Another Red Deer company, GenTex Oilfield Manufacturing Inc., was also a finalist for a 2010 Alberta Export Award. It lost out to Master Flo Valve Inc. in the Manufacturing — Oil and Gas category. Master Flo, of Edmonton, went on to be named Exporter of the Year.
GenTex produces hot oil units, heating units, pressure trucks and pump/kill units, with about half of its output exported.
Now in their second year, the Alberta Export Awards are held to raise awareness about the importance of exports to the provincial economy, and to recognize Alberta’s most successful exporters. The Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters release said Alberta exported $69.1 billion worth of goods in 2009, nearly 21 per cent of the Canadian total.
Other 2010 award categories included Manufacturing – Other, Consumer Products, Sustainability, Professional and Services, Advancing Technologies and Leadership.