Toronto, Ontario – February 7, 2007: Aecon Group Inc. (“Aecon”) (TSX:ARE) is pleased to announce that The Karson Group is a winner of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies. The Karson Group, acquired by Aecon earlier this month, is one of the largest aggregate, asphalt and civil construction companies in Eastern Ontario.
“This award is truly a testament to our employees' hard work and commitment, as well as the loyalty of our valued customers,” said William Karson, founder and President of the Karson Group. “We are proud to be amongst the outstanding group of companies who are receiving this award.”
Since it was founded 33 years ago, The Karson Group has had a reputation of providing quality products and services, while acquiring key resources for long-term growth. Attracting and retaining the best skilled people continues to be a key to their success.
“I am very pleased to see The Karson Group and its employees recognized for this great achievement”, said Teri McKibbon, President, Aecon Civil and Utilities. “The Karson Group's focus on their people is one of the greatest synergies between our companies – one we hope to build on in the future.”
Established in 1993, the Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies is a national awards program, recognizing Canadian companies that have implemented world-class business practices and created value in innovative ways. Applications are reviewed by an independent judging panel that evaluates how companies address various business challenges, including new technologies, globalization, brand management, leadership, leveraging and developing core competencies, designing information systems, and hiring the right talent to facilitate growth.
“This award is a tribute to The Karson Group's strong leadership, talented workforce and unsurpassed corporate values. We are proud to include The Karson Group as one of this year's Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies,” explains James McSherry, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of CIBC Commercial Banking, a national sponsor of the Best Managed program.
About Canada's Best Managed Companies
Every year, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies with revenues over $10 million compete for the Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates the caliber of their management abilities and practices. The awards are granted on three levels: 1) Best Managed winner (one of the 50 new winners selected each year), 2) Re-qualified member (repeat winners retain the Best Managed designation for two additional years, subject to annual operational and financial review), 3) Platinum Club member (winners that have maintained Best Managed status for a minimum of six consecutive years.) Program sponsors are Deloitte, CIBC Commercial Banking, National Post, and Queen's School of Business.
The Karson Group
The Karson Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aecon Group, is an integrated construction and materials company comprised of Karson Construction, Karson Asphalt Paving Inc. and Spratt Aggregates (Karson Aggregates). It is one of the largest companies of its kind in the Ottawa / Eastern Ontario market.
Aecon Group Inc.
Aecon Group Inc. is Canada's largest publicly traded construction and infrastructure development company. Aecon and its subsidiaries provide services to private and public sector clients throughout Canada and internationally. The Company's shares are listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ARE. www.aecon.com