Ernst & Young celebrates Québec finalists for Entrepreneur Of The Year 2010 -
Firm recognizes high-achieving entrepreneurs who make a difference in the
global economy

MONTRÉAL, July 6 /CNW/ - Canada's most successful entrepreneurs improve the quality of life for people across the globe, Ernst & Young said today as the firm announced the finalists for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) 2010 Awards.

"Our Québec finalists are entrepreneurial leaders and visionaries who have created and built market-leading businesses," says François Dufresne, Partner and Director of the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards in Québec. "Their accomplishments have taken business excellence to new heights, helped create jobs and contributed to the vibrancy of communities across Canada."

According to a recent Ernst & Young publication, A world of opportunity: Entrepreneurial perspectives on the impact of globalization, entrepreneurs have been quick to seize opportunities presented by the opening of new markets.

However, as economies become increasingly connected, companies may also encounter a new generation of rivals from both local and international markets. In another recent report, Ambitious, adept and agile, Ernst & Young finds that just over two-thirds of entrepreneurs surveyed agree that globalization has opened the door to new and unforeseen competitors.

"As businesses expand, they need to understand, identify and build relationships with their local markets while sustaining a global vision," says Dufresne. "Entrepreneurs who do this can fuel innovation, rise above the competition and make lasting contributions to communities throughout the world."

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year recognizes high-achieving entrepreneurs in Canada and around the world who drive growth, build communities and transform industries. The Canadian program is in its 17th year of honouring the country's most impressive entrepreneurs from all areas of business.

The names of the Québec winners will be announced at a gala banquet in Montréal on October 27, and the overall winner will represent Québec at the national banquet in Toronto on November 17. For ticket information regarding the regional and national banquets, please contact Sophie Leclerc at 514 879 8173.

The 2010 Québec finalists for Entrepreneur Of The Year:

Business-to-business products and services

    
    Éric Desbiens

    Groupe conseil FXinnovation Inc. - Montréal
    fxinnovation.com
    

FXinnovation is one of Québec's largest independent companies specializing in consulting services and information technology and communications optimization solutions.

    
    Inder Bedi, Manny Kohli

    MATT & NAT - Montréal
    mattandnat.com
    

MATT & NAT is a collection of design-centric, eco-friendly and organic accessories. It's aiming to become the brand of a new era with its unique designs and exclusive materials.

    
    Etienne Borgeat

    PCO Innovation - Montréal
    pco-innovation.com
    

PCO Innovation is a consulting company specializing in the optimization of product lifecycle management and computer-aided design (PLM/CAD) tools, with a global team of more than 500 consultants and technical experts.

Business-to-consumer products and services

    
    Éric Pichette

    Groupe Qualinet Inc. - Québec
    qualinet.ca
    

Groupe Qualinet is a leader in emergency and disaster-response cleaning services.

    
    Michel Letellier

    Innergex énergie renouvelable Inc. - Longueuil
    innergex.com
    

Innergex is a Canadian pioneer in renewable energy. It develops, owns and operates sites across North America, focusing on hydropower plants and wind farms.

    
    Stanley Ma

    MTY Food Group Inc. - Saint-Laurent
    mtygroup.com
    

MTY is one of the leading companies in the Canadian fast-food industry. Of its 25 brands, 21 are fully owned and four are exclusively licensed.

Cleantech

    
    Étienne Veilleux

    Distech Controls Inc. - Brossard
    distech-controls.com
    

Distech Controls designs, manufactures and markets innovative building automation solutions, promoting energy and cost-efficient operation of buildings, while maintaining optimum comfort.

    
    Robert Boileau

    Robert Boileau Inc. - Saint-Laurent
    arenazone.com
    

Robert Boileau specializes in the distribution and repair of Zamboni ice-resurfacing products, as well as in operator training.

    
    Yves Richer

    SPG Hydro International Inc. - Sainte-Julie
    spghydro.com
    

SPG specializes in underwater and marine structures such as dams, piers, bridges, ships, water intakes and outfalls. It provides professional inspection, construction, engineering and environment services.

Emerging entrepreneur

    
    Matthieu Laroche, Jonathan Quevillon

    Cartouches certifiées - Montréal
    cartouchescertifiees.com
    

Cartouches certifiées distributes and sells printing products, specifically recycled ink cartridges.

    
    Lucie Chagnon

    Conciliation travail-famille COMMODUS - Montréal
    commodus.ca
    

Commodus is a social enterprise brokerage that offers employers work-life balance services for their employees through a highly secure web transaction platform and a points system.

    
    Jack Dell'Accio

    Essentia Group Inc. - Laval
    myessentia.com
    

Essentia Group designs, develops, manufactures and distributes exceptional mattresses and related sleep products that offer health-supporting characteristics, comfort and quality. Its patented 100% natural memory foam mattresses and pillows are designed to provide optimal support and comfort throughout the lifespan of the product.

Health sciences

    
    Sylvain Guimond

    Biotonix - Boucherville
    biotonix.com
    

Biotonix offers innovative health solutions for posture correction and fitness using a web-based imaging software technology. It is developing novel back and foot orthotics specifically designed to improve posture.

    
    Guy Michaud

    DirectLab Inc. - Blainville
    genacol.ca
    

DirectLab specializes in the innovative design and marketing of natural health products under the trade name Genacol.

    
    Mark Busgang

    Warnex Inc. - Laval
    warnex.ca
    

Warnex is a life sciences company that provides laboratory services to the pharmaceutical and health-care sectors.

Manufacturing

    
    Christian Van Gennip

    Armoires Cuisines Action - Sainte-Sabine
    cuisinesaction.com
    

Armoires Cuisines Action specializes in the design, retail, manufacture and installation of kitchen cabinets.

    
    Zachary Gillman

    Interstar Pigments, Admixtures & Fibers - Sherbrooke
    interstar.ca
    

Interstar manufactures pigments, admixtures, fibres and dispensing systems for the concrete industry.

    
    David Bowman, Jean Cloutier, Rob White

    Outdoor Gear Canada (OGC) - Saint-Laurent
    ogc.ca
    

OGC is a leading supplier of high-quality, high-value cycling, outdoor and snow-product brands. They also design and build Opus bicycles.

Media and entertainment

    
    Patrick Aubé

    Chez Maya Inc. - Saint-Sauveur
    chezmaya.com
    

Chez Maya is a news portal based on the sale of advertising space and the insertion of advertisements in the news. The company is one of the largest suppliers of virtual postcards and online games in the francophone market in Canada.

    
    Sylvain Viau

    Corporation Image Entertainment Inc. - Montréal
    image-cie.com
    

Corporation Image Entertainment develops and produces premium-quality television and film entertainment projects for children and families.

    
    Antoine Carre

    Laboratoires Bug-Tracker inc. - Montréal
    bug-tracker.com
    

Bug-Tracker is a leading quality assurance and localization services provider to publishers and developers in the video game industry.

Technology

    
    Éric Brunelle, André d'Orsonnens, Bertrand Pelletier

    Druide Informatique Inc. - Montréaldruide.com
    

Druide Informatique designs and distributes consumer software, including the well-known program Antidote.

    
    Gilles Létourneau

    Groupe GFI Solutions Inc. - Montréal
    gfisolutions.com
    

Groupe GFI Solutions is a leading provider of IT solutions in Canada. They specialize in the design, implementation, integration and support of management software, and the development of e-business and electronic banking, professional and technical services.

    
    Michel Farley

    Varitron Technologies Inc. - Saint-Hubert
    varitron.ca
    

Varitron is the largest electronics assembler in Québec, with specialized expertise in the medical, defence, automotive, rail, aviation, aerospace, security, automation and telecommunications sectors.

    
    The Québec regional judges:

    Gregor Angus, Executive Vice President
    Cossette

    Johanne Dion, President
    TRANS-HERBe Inc.

    Jean Gattuso, President and CEO
    A. Lassonde Inc.

    Nina Gupta, President
    Greenlite Lighting Corporation

    Jacques Landreville, Corporate Director

    Jacques Larivière, President
    Demilec Inc.

    Bernard Poulin , President
    Le Groupe S.M. International Inc.
    

The Québec Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards is presented in collaboration with Desjardins. Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year is sponsored nationally by Global TV, National Post, La Presse and RDI.

About Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 144,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential.

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Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients.

For further information: Melissa Prince, 416 943 3474, [email protected]; Brooke Morris, 604 899 3597, [email protected]; Julie Fournier, 514 874 4308, [email protected]