Thursday, January 17, 2008
Prince George Civic Centre

Congratulations to the 2008 Award Recipients!!

Technology Provider Of The Year Award
Sponsored by the Applied Science Technologists & Technicians Of British Columbia.

THE 2008 NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY AWARDS is proud to recognize:

TOWER RADIO LTD - TERRACE

Tower Radio devised a mountain top communications capsule that many mining companies are using for both cellular communications as well as internet and data connections. Tower Radio being a locally owned and operated company is an inspiration to many small business owners and entrepreneurs in the Pacific Northwest. Its mountain top communications capsule is a excellent example of the innovative and pioneering spirit of the people who choose to live and work hard to continue building and enjoying a high quality life in Northern BC.

Many Northern people either live or work in rural areas and internet and mobile communications help keep them connected to their families and loved ones as well as in the know about what is going on around the world. Mobile communications continue to be one of the most important methods of communications to ensure safety of our people traveling and working in remote areas including logging and mining camps.

Presenting this award on behalf of the Applied Science Technologists & Technicians of British Columbia is John Leech, Executive Director & Registrar.

Workplace Health and Safety Innovation Award
Sponsored by WORKSAFE BC

THE 2008 NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY AWARDS is proud to recognize:

CITY OF PRINCE GEORGE - PARKS AND SOLID WASTE SERVICES

The City of Prince George's Parks and Solid Waste Services has implemented the use of Anti-Vibration Harnesses, which has impacted the number of injuries in the department. Workers using Weed Trimmers on grass edges were being injured in the course of their task. In autumn of 2006, staff and supervisors were involved to develop a strategy for 2007.

The outcome lead to a number of changes including: anti-vibration harnesses to reduce strain on arms; anti-vibration gloves while trimming grass; administrative controls such as job rotation and spraying grass borders with vinegar to stunt the growth of the grass, making trimming less frequent. By insulating staff from vibration and reducing their exposure, we reduced the likelihood of vibration injury. Previously these injuries had plagued the Department, causing long term injuries and staff shortages. In 2007, there were no reported vibration injuries in the Parks and Solid Waste Services.

Presenting this award on behalf of Worksafe BC is Don Schouten, Industry Specialist.

Collaborative Research Award
Sponsored by The University of Northern British Columbia

THE 2008 NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY AWARDS is proud to recognize:

UNBC - SORIN PASCA, DR. IAN HARTLEY & DR. RON THRING - PRINCE GEORGE

A research team comprised of graduate student Sorin Pasca and professors Dr. Ron Thring and Dr. Ian Hartley have discovered that mountain pine beetle enhanced wood can be utilized as an aggregate in concrete. Typically stones or rocks are used as an aggregate for concrete and organic materials are not suitable. However, the research team has discovered that pine beetle killed wood chips are suitable.

The end product developed in the lab looked like a cross between plywood and concrete and exhibit several favourable characteristics. You can drive a nail into the product without pre-drilling and cut it with standard woodworking tools. In addition it is water resistant and stronger than many products on the market.

Presenting this award on behalf of UNBC is Harold Hume, Research Project Officer.

Sustainability Award
Sponsored by RIO TINTO ALCAN

THE 2008 NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY AWARDS is proud to recognize:

GINA GALLANT - PRINCE GEORGE

Gina Gallant is an inventor. The product she has invented is an environmentally friendly paving material. Wanting to utilize some of the waste going into landfills, Gina researched the role that reusable materials might have in pavement. Having discovered that glass and rubber had already been used in the U.S. but neither worked she formulated a theory that they were not compatible with asphalt. Plastic and asphalt are both hydrocarbon based therefore they would have a natural bonding that would occur.

She acquired the necessary plastics from local residents. Gina partnered with Husky Oil, to learn how to mix the plastic with sand, granite and liquid asphalt and Columbia Bitulithic, the local paving company, to make the mixture. It took a year, a 10 man crew and multiple tests and gradation changes to reach the finished project - a 500-metre stretch of PAR laid on Cranbrook Hill Road in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada.

To date it's holding up perfectly and the cracks are disappearing from the melting plastic, which causes better expansion and contraction.

Presenting this award on behalf of RIO TINTO ALCAN is Colleen Nyce, Manager Of Corporate Affairs.

Mentor Award
Sponsored by The City of Prince George and Initiatives Prince George

THE 2008 NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY AWARDS is proud to recognize:

GEORGE KENNEDY - COLLEGE OF NEW CALEDONIA - PRINCE GEORGE

George works with community business leaders who provide guidance and mentor the students through the process of business development. He creates a network of professionals and link students into that network, allowing them to grow with seasoned professionals and learn how to work in a business environment. The results of the mentorship are strong community relationships, and businesses that continue to thrive today.

George Kennedy has run the Business Next Generation program for almost 10 years. The program is available at the College of New Caledonia and can be taken as part of the business program, or as a stand alone entrepreneurial certificate. The certificate program runs a group of students through the full business cycle, from idea to profitable sale; ensuring students have a full understanding of creating and running their own business.

The BNG program takes entrepreneurial individuals and gives them the platform to run their own business. George is responsible for the creation of over a dozen businesses, some as a result of the program itself, some as a result of the training and mentoring the students received prior to them opening their own business. The new business benefits northern BC through more employment and a diversification of small business in the region.

Presenting this award on behalf of The City of Prince George and Initiatives Prince George is Mayor Colin Kinsley.

Technology Implementer of the Year Award
Sponsored by The College Of New Caledonia

THE 2008 NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY AWARDS is proud to recognize:

TOWER RADIO LTD. - TERRACE

Tower Radio devised a mountain top communications capsule that many mining companies are using for both cellular communications as well as internet and data connections. Tower Radio being a locally owned and operated company is an inspiration to many small business owners and entrepreneurs in the Pacific Northwest. Its mountain top communications capsule is a excellent example of the innovative and pioneering spirit of the people who choose to live and work hard to continue building and enjoying a high quality life in Northern BC.

Many Northern people either live or work in rural areas and internet and mobile communications help keep them connected to their families and loved ones as well as in the know about what is going on around the world. Mobile communications continue to be one of the most important methods of communications to ensure safety of our people traveling and working in remote areas including logging and mining camps.

Presenting this award on behalf of The College of New Caledonia is Steve Raper, Manager of Marketing & Enrollment Services.

John Humphreys Memorial Forest Innovator Award
Sponsored by Duz Cho Logging

THE 2008 NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY AWARDS is proud to recognize:

SPECTRUM RESOURCE GROUP INC.

Spectrum has revamped a new cut stump sprayer applicator for forest management practice.

This system is environmental friendly - it can spray the affected areas only, doesn't not over spray and minimizes the use of non friendly procedures such as heli-spraying (which are far more invasive). It is environmentally friendly, and does not affect food sources. It is a cheaper alternative with more effective results leading to cost savings and efficiencies. This has helped forest managers deal with the sensitive issue of chemical spraying by putting a more controlled mechanism that doesn't affect areas that shouldn't be sprayed. It is easier to use and leads to less spillage and contamination while also being more effective as a tool in forest re-growth management.

This is a unique new device that has and will continue to see a greater use as the sensitivity to environmental impacts of spraying become a continued source of concern.

Presenting the John Humphreys Memorial Forest Innovator Award on behalf of Duz Cho Logging is Chief Alec Chingee, McLeod Lake Indian Band.

Northern BC Prospector or Developer of the Year Award
Sponsored by Northgate Minerals Corporation & Kemess Mines

THE 2008 NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY AWARDS is proud to recognize:

SERENGETI RESOURCES INC.

Serengeti Resources is currently developing the Kwanika Project in Omineca area north of Mt. Milligan 85 approximately 50KM east of Takla Landing. The area has been found to be rich in Copper and Gold. This new discovery is potentially very significant with expected value yet to be determined.

The exploration began in 2004 as Serengeti participated in a joint government/industry airborne survey and identified new anomalies in a known area. In 2006, Serengeti drilled the first test hole which resulting in significant evidence that initiated further development. This led to a 6 million dollar investment in drilling in 2007 based out of a fully functional camp on site.

Presenting this award on behalf of Northgate Minerals Corporation is Tom Stuffco, General Manager, Kemess Mines Ltd.

E-Business Award
Sponsored by Bell Canada

THE 2008 NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY AWARDS is proud to recognize:

COLLEGE OF NEW CALEDONIA - IT DEPARTMENT

The college is one of the largest employers in Prince George. The reliance on technology as an institution in massive, and the IT department implements a number of initiatives annually.

Recently, the college has introduced voice over IP technology allowing the college to dramatically increase its communication capabilities. Through this initiative, nearly 500 phones and the entire hardwire system was upgrade to allow the college to access web based technology and move to voice over internet phone communications. With that shift, the college has been enabled to do video web based face-to-face conferencing, reducing travel costs between campuses; creating significant efficiencies.

This venture improves the ability for the college to provide services and effective programming to the students of the North and throughout the college region more effectively and efficiently. The costs and time of the system integration will be far outweighed by the benefits in communication capabilities and service.

Presenting this award on behalf of Bell Canada is Clint Dahl, Wireless Account Executive.

Technology Start-Up of the Year Award
Sponsored by The Innovation Resource Centre

THE 2008 NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY AWARDS is proud to recognize:

MCI SOLUTIONS - FORT ST. JOHN

MCI Solutions was founded in 2006. They have implemented the use of Gas Well Chemical Injection Pumps. This process provides accurate effective delivery which has reduced usage and loss. Simplicity in product design, forethought in business and growth strategy, and protection of intellectual property demonstrates MCI's entrepreneurial excellence. MCI's commitment to manufacturing in the north and providing low impact solutions to solve problems experienced within local industry with products that are emissions free, exemplifies dedication towards the needs in the northern BC.

Presenting this award on behalf of The Innovation Resource Centre is Roy Spooner, Executive Director & CEO.

Manufacturing Innovator of the Year Award
Sponsored by KPMG

THE 2008 NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY AWARDS is proud to recognize:

NORTHERN STEEL - PRINCE GEORGE

Northern Steel's use of robotics in the manufacturing process has increased efficiency, quality, quantity, and technical capacity.

Robots can work in environments that humans can not easily work in. Many of the jobs that Northern Steel was being asked to do required welding in cramped quarters such as welding inside small pipes. Not only would the welder have trouble making an acceptable weld, but the risk of burns to the employee was high. The use of robotics has enabled the company to weld in confined spaces and achieve much higher quality welds. The use of robotics has enabled Northern Steel to use the human welder on jobs where the tolerances are not as exacting and to use the robot to increase production of the technically more complicated cells. The overall impact of robotic welding is the robot can do a simple weld or a complicated high tolerance weld 4 times faster than a human. In addition, the robot can weld the same item in an environment that is dangerous to a human.

Northern Steel's work force has grown from 30 employees prior to the introduction of robotics to 75 now. The use of robotics has been directly responsible for a recent expansion in the manufacturing facility which now has an addition to the building that houses the robotics.

Presenting this award on behalf of KPMG is Stan Mitchell, Senior Principal.

Technology & Industry Newsmaker of the Year Award
Sponsored by The Prince George Free Press

THE 2008 NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY AWARDS is proud to recognize:

PRINCE RUPERT PORT AUTHORITY - PRINCE RUPERT

Opening of the new Prince Rupert Container Port Inter-Modal design to reduce the required footprint and to improve efficiencies to get product from the ship to the end destination in less time than in other ports.

This has opened the Asia Pacific gateway - primarily for our export communities - this offers the opportunity to ship product to Asia for less than it would cost via trucking to many "local" markets.

Presenting this award on behalf of the Prince George Free Press is Bill Phillips, Editor.

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