A Port Alberni company was recognized for its cutting edge innovation during the Small Business BC Awards last month.
The annual awards program is a celebration of the success of small businesses across the province. All businesses in BC with under 50 employees are eligible to be nominated. This year, close to 600 small businesses from 58 communities were nominated in 10 unique award categories.
During an awards gala at the Vancouver Convention Centre on Thursday, Feb. 21, Coulson Ice Blast walked away with the Best Innovation Award.
READ: Alberni company recognized for technological significance
Coulson Ice Blast, based in Port Alberni, employs 12 people and has been in business since 2016. Their blasting machine uses a unique wet and dry ice blasting technique for cleaning industrial and commercial equipment.
“It’s much more effective and results in less contaminants,” explained Bruce Ralston, B.C. Minister of Jobs, Trades and Technology, in an interview with the Alberni Valley News. “It’s a better way to do it, and cheaper.”
The Best Innovation Award recognizes a business that develops advanced or innovative technologies to meet the needs of industry in B.C. The winning business contributes to making the province a strong and rapidly growing innovation economy and is creating a positive impact in their industry and community.
As Ralston explained, businesses are competing for a way of improving a process or a product that adds value in a new way. “Innovation is a pretty big deal these days, so it’s a pretty prestigious award, in my view,” he said.
You can learn more about Coulson Ice Blast at their website: coulsoniceblast.com. Nominations for next year’s Small Business BC Awards will open to the public in October 2019.
In other news from the Coulson Group of Companies, Coulson Aviation will be joining forces with Unical Air to create a heavy lift helicopter joint venture company. This company will build and operate Boeing CH-47 and Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk aircraft for aerial firefighting and other markets.
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