A local company whose products are in demand around the world was recognized for its unique niche in the market with the Small Business Award of Distinction at the St. Albert Chamber of Commerce's 2011 Awards of Distinction Evening Thursday.
Tony LaGrange, president of Quantum Group of Companies, took the Arden Theatre stage to accept the honour from Mayor Nolan Crouse. Operating out of Riel Park, Quantum develops and manufactures environmentally sustainable water-based coatings using solvent-free technology.
"When we got there and saw all the different businesses, I thought, 'We're not going to win,' said LaGrange. "When they announced that we won, I was ecstatic. It was a big honour."
What began as a home-based business in 1995 has grown into an enterprise with a strong commitment to research and development. Its contracts include San Francisco's Bay Area Rapid Transit, spraying its fire-retardant elastomeric on car floors, as well as Edmonton Transit's new and refurbished LRT cars. DuPont has even started distributing Quantum's products worldwide.
"We have some products that are novel; nobody else makes them. We don't really have any competitors," LaGrange said.
Chamber of commerce chair Charlene Zoltenko said it was Quantum's unique products that clinched the award for them.
"[LaGrange] was telling me his product is water-based. It's not a chemical."
Chair's Award of Distinction
Zoltenko personally selected the Sturgeon Valley Athletic Club as the recipient of the Chair's Award of Distinction, citing its commitment to its patrons and ability to adapt.
"They are independent, a gym that is privately owned and that is pretty amazing. They have always adapted, whether it was the economy or client needs, they always tried to do what's best."
"It's wonderful to get that kind of recognition," said general manager Christine Rawlins. "We've worked very hard to maintain a presence in St. Albert and faced some challenging years over these last five years. We have wonderful owners who are committed and club members — couldn't do it without them."
The club has also thrived despite stiff competition just up the road from its Campbell location from city-run Servus Credit Union Place.
"We've got strong loyal relationships with our club members. It's not just like a big box environment — it's a smaller, more personal boutique facility."
Business pillar
The St. Albert Gazette capped off its 50th year celebrations by being recognized as a Pillar of Business by the chamber.
"I think from the day I got into the business working with my folks, I'd always been taught to leave the world a better place than you found it," said Gazette president Duff Jamison. "And in our little corner of the world in St. Albert, the Gazette has always taken that responsibility seriously."
Along with the award, the Gazette will have its name inscribed as a Pillar of Business on the Community Recognition Monument that opened this summer on the corner of Perron Street and Sir Winston Churchill Avenue.
