The Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development hosted the Newfoundland and Labrador Export and Innovation Awards on Friday, April 18th, 2008 at the Fairmont Hotel. At this year's awards we broadened our acknowledgments and celebrated the province’s best in both Export and Innovation. The awards recognize our province’s exporters and innovators, who are creating new opportunities and market niches with their products and services.

We would like to extend congratulations to all award nominees.  The caliber of companies, organizations, and individuals nominated illustrates the talent Newfoundland and Labrador has to offer.

The Export and Innovation Awards are a celebration of achievements and accomplishments in Export and Innovation in the following three areas:

(L-R) Kent Sargent, Blue Line Industries; Susan Kennedy, C-CORE; Minister Trevor Taylor, INTRD; Art Garland, Orphan Industries Ltd.

Exporter of the Year
The Exporter of the Year Award acknowledges the outstanding success of local entrepreneurs and businesses that have achieved commercial export success. The recipient of this award has significantly contributed to the province’s economic growth and has excelled at competing and succeeding in the global marketplace.

Winner - Orphan Industries Limited, St. John’s, NL
Orphan Industries Ltd., a subsidiary of D.F. Barnes Ltd.  The company offers contract manufacturing, machining, and fabrication of large steel structures and systems.  It sells a variety of products in Angola, the North Sea, South East Asia, the Gulf of Mexico, and United States.
http://www.dfbarnes.com

Finalists
Genoa Design International Ltd.  - http://www.genoadesign.com
Hurley Slateworks Company - http://www.naturalslate.com / (709)-834-2320

   Previous Export Award Winners 

Innovation in Business
The Innovation in Business Award recognizes a company for its outstanding achievement in creating new opportunities to advance its business through innovation. The recipient has successfully launched an innovative product, process, or service through its strategic risk-taking. This approach has positively impacted the company’s growth and market potential.

Blue Line Innovations, St. John’s, NL
Blue Line Innovations, whose product the PowerCost Monitor,TM allows consumers to monitor how much electricity is being consumed in their home monetarily.
http://www.bluelineinnovations.com

Finalists
Camouflage Software - http://www.datamasking.com
MedicLink Systems - http://www.eyesistant.com

Distinction in Innovation
The Distinction in Innovation Award recognizes an individual or group that makes an outstanding contribution towards Newfoundland and Labrador’s innovative culture. The recipient is a leader who is enthusiastic about fostering new ideas that has positively impacted the province and its people. The recipient has created or identified successful opportunities for industry by collaborating and building partnerships.

C-CORE, St. John’s, NL
C-CORE addresses ocean engineering problems relating to ice and remote sensing.  It employs more than 60 people who work in four core areas – geotechnical engineering, ice engineering, remote sensing, and intelligent sensors.
http://www.c-core.ca

Finalists
Genesis Group Inc. - http://www.genesisgroup.ca
The Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University (MI) - http://www.mi.mun.ca

Award of Merit
The Department presented this year’s Awards of Merit to two youth groups, ACE Memorial and Eastern Edge Robotics, in recognition of their accomplishments, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

ACE Memorial Team with Minister Trevor Taylor, INTRD

ACE Memorial, St. John’s, NL
ACE Memorial is committed to increasing entrepreneurship in the province and for two years it has won the national title earning them the opportunity to represent Canada at the Student in Free Enterprise World Cup. 
http://www.acememorial.com

Eastern Edge Robotics Team with Minister Trevor Taylor, INTRD

Eastern Edge Robotics, St. John’s, NL
Eastern Edge Robotics comprises 25 individuals from local post-secondary institutions.  The team builds an underwater robot, commonly known as a Remotely Operated Vehicle, for entry in the Marine Advanced Technology International ROV competition.  It has finished in the top three in that competition every year since 2003.
http://www.easternedgerobotics.com

Press Release http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2008/intrd/0418n06.htm

We look forward to seeing you next year at the 2009 Export and Innovation Awards.

For more information, please contact