Skip to content
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Youtube
occ-logo
  • Rapid tests available for small business!
  • COVID-19
    • Pandemic Preparedness Toolkit
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Webinars
    • Our Advocacy
    • COVID-19 Policy Brief Series
    • SME Difference Makers
    • Work From Home
    • Mental Health Resources
    • How to Protect Yourself
    • Talk To Us
    • #DifferenceMakers
  • Advocacy
    • Blueprint To Bolster Ontario’s Prosperity
    • COVID-19 Policy Brief Series
    • Ontario Climate Action Series
    • Ontario Economic Report
    • Our Publications
    • Vote Prosperity
  • Councils
  • Events
    • Advocacy Day
    • Annual General Meeting
    • Ontario Business Advisory Council
    • Ontario Business Achievement Awards
    • Ontario Economic Summit
  • Webinars
  • Programs
    • Grow Your Business Online
    • Talent Opportunities Program
    • Discover Ability Network
    • Canada United Small Business Relief Fund
    • Export and Trade
  • Membership
    • Affinity Programs
  • News
    • Media Releases
    • Policy Updates
    • Blogs
  • About
    • Contact
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Employment
    • Strategic Plan
Asset 6
x
x
  • Rapid tests available for small business!
  • COVID-19
    • Pandemic Preparedness Toolkit
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Webinars
    • Our Advocacy
    • COVID-19 Policy Brief Series
    • SME Difference Makers
    • Work From Home
    • Mental Health Resources
    • How to Protect Yourself
    • Talk To Us
    • #DifferenceMakers
  • Advocacy
    • Blueprint To Bolster Ontario’s Prosperity
    • COVID-19 Policy Brief Series
    • Ontario Climate Action Series
    • Ontario Economic Report
    • Our Publications
    • Vote Prosperity
  • Councils
  • Events
    • Advocacy Day
    • Annual General Meeting
    • Ontario Business Advisory Council
    • Ontario Business Achievement Awards
    • Ontario Economic Summit
  • Webinars
  • Programs
    • Grow Your Business Online
    • Talent Opportunities Program
    • Discover Ability Network
    • Canada United Small Business Relief Fund
    • Export and Trade
  • Membership
    • Affinity Programs
  • News
    • Media Releases
    • Policy Updates
    • Blogs
  • About
    • Contact
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Employment
    • Strategic Plan
search_White

OBAA 2019 Finalists: Excellence in Innovation Award

COVID-19 Information COVID-19 Resources
Tools and Resources Pandemic Preparedness Toolkit Frequently Asked Questions Webinars Our Advocacy Policy Brief Series SME Difference Makers Government News Work From Home Mental Health Resources How to Protect Yourself Talk To Us #DifferenceMakers
Become a Member
Become a Member >
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Youtube

Blog

OBAA 2019 Finalists: Excellence in Innovation Award

October 30, 2019

Since 1983, The Ontario Business Achievement Awards (OBAAs) has been the most recognized industry gala in the province with a single focus on celebrating business success. Throughout the evening, we will celebrate our spectacular Ontario business community, highlighting the incredible innovations and achievements of each one of our 2019 OBAA finalists. Join us on Thursday, November 14 as we reveal our winners at Beanfield Centre in Toronto!


Presenting: The Excellence in Innovation Award

The Excellence in Innovation Award is awarded to a business that exemplifies forward-thinking in all aspects of their business and contributes to our province’s success, helps shape our future and inspires the next generation.

Finalist #1: Microbix Biosystems Inc.

Industry: Biological and technology solutions

When did your organization first open its doors? What motivated you to get into business?

Microbix first opened its doors in the founder’s basement in the 1980s. His motivation was to use his virology expertise to help improve public health. That motivation still guides Microbix today in its position as a global leader in providing the biological core of many medical tests for infectious diseases (antigens) and in helping to ensure the accuracy of such tests (quality assessment products, or QAPs™).

Developed using darktable 2.6.0

What does being an OBAA finalist mean to you?

It is a great honour for Microbix to be a finalist with OBAA. Being an OBAA finalist demonstrates two highly-related concepts: 1) that Microbix is on the right path in innovating on a sustainable basis to build its business, and 2) that our peers and the community at large are recognizing this progress. Recognition by OBAA increases Microbix’s visibility and allows us to demonstrate our leadership to prospective customers, capital providers and policymakers. This exposure will greatly help us connect with those groups that can work with us to maximize business growth to the benefit of the company, our employees, the innovative industrial biotechnology community, and more broadly to the Ontario business ecosystem as a whole.

IMGP5080

How does your organization positively contribute to Ontario’s economy?

Microbix is an entirely Ontario-based company, with a broad base of shareholders across Canada. While many of Microbix’s suppliers are Canadian, its products are sold almost exclusively exported (currently 22% US, 52% EU, 27% Asia/Pacific) to numerous customers worldwide, including multinational diagnostics companies, laboratory accreditation organizations and, in the very near future to the clinical testing laboratories themselves as fully regulated medical devices. Growth in sales of Microbix’ core antigen and QAPs lines are expected to continue to increase revenue, with the rate of growth accelerating as more new QAPs products are introduced. Sales growth will naturally result in the creation of numerous new Ontario-based jobs, most being well-paid and involving advanced technologies. With current sales of over $1 million per month, Microbix is the rare instance of a substantive locally-controlled biotech company. At its Mississauga facilities, Microbix currently has 80 highly-trained Canadian employees, many with higher degrees, and we are looking to grow. We are also an established hirer of new Canadians, with a diverse, multi-cultural workforce.

IMGP5144

What can we expect to see from your organization in the years to come?

For the last several years Microbix has achieved double digit sales growth as it builds its innovative biotechnology business. This trend will continue, and indeed accelerate, in the coming years. This acceleration will be driven by 2 major factors:

  1. Commercialization of the new portfolio of Quality Assessment Products (QAPsTM), particularly in Europe and the US. This represents a new direction for Microbix with the potential to dwarf the (still growing) revenues currently generated through is diagnostic antigen business;
  2. Rapid commercial growth for all its products (antigens and QAPs) in the Asia/Pacific region. Commensurate with this progression will be the establishment of growing profitability, further expansion of facilities/capabilities and the creation of numerous new high-value Canadian jobs.

IMGP5151

Connect with Microbix Biosystems Inc. on Facebook and LinkedIn.


“Microbix’s strength is our people. From our beginnings, we have pursued a culture of honesty and respect. By applying scientific and manufacturing excellence, with appropriate business discipline, we are building an exciting biotechnology company. As we continue to grow, we remain a dynamic and fun place to build a career.”

Cameron L. Groome, CEO & President


Finalist #2: Muskoka Lakes Farm and Winery

Industry: Agricultural Industry

When did your organization first open its doors? What motivated you to get into business?

We have been growing cranberries in Bala, Ontario since 1950 when Orville Johnston dreamed of a thriving, provincial cranberry industry with Muskoka at its centre.

JohnstonsCranberryMarsh157

When factors helped contribute to the success of your organization?

In a day of factory farms, we remain a local, family farm committed to our environment and to making quality products from the fruit we grow. Everything we do starts with a passion for where we live and what grows here. With that strong sense of place, we have diversified into wine production and agri-tourism through creating innovative products and experiences that uniquely reflect Muskoka to our customers.

JohnstonsCranberryMarsh081

How does your organization positively contribute to Ontario’s economy?

We are a significant employer for our region – both seasonally and year-round. We are also a strong part of our local identity. Bala is known as the ‘Cranberry Capital of Ontario’ and created the Bala Cranberry Festival in 1985 to celebrate local agriculture. In a highly seasonal area, we have created a year-round economic tourism driver. The wines we produce are the top-selling fruit wines at the LCBO.

July 25, 2018 091b

What is a fun interesting or unique fact about your company?

There’s something to do here everyday, year round. Our Bog to Bottle Discovery (guided farm tour and tutored wine tasting) is offered 3 times/day, 363 days/year. We also offer seasonal experiences like a winter Ice Trail, spring sugar bush discoveries, summer blueberry highlights, and, of course, our autumn cranberry harvest. We’re only closed Dec25 and 26.

Sept 11, 2019 156b

Connect with Muskoka Lakes Farm and Winery on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.


“Our success comes from our community – the people who have made a cranberry dream into a reality.”

 Wendy Hogarth, proprietor & CEO


We reveal our winners on Thursday, November 14 at the Beanfield Centre in Toronto!

Previous

OBAA 2019 Finalists: Industry Award: Tourism

Next

Metrolinx Blog: Toronto’s Ontario Line Subway Will Have a World of Proven Features to Choose From

Follow Us

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Youtube

Site Nav

  • Advocacy
  • Events
  • Programs
  • Membership
  • News
  • About
  • Contact

Receive Updates

Subscribe to our mailing list and stay up to date on everything with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce

Subscribe Now
PREMIER MEMBERS
TELUS SNC Lavalin Ontario Power Generation Hydro One CPAO Bell BDO Canada RBC Royal Bank Ontario Real Estate Association Medavie Blue Cross Primerica CN Desjardins PwC McCarthy Tetrault Coca-Cola Canada Meridian Credit Union Uber BMO Bank of Montreal Bruce Power Air Canada Power Corporation of Canada Boehringer Ingelheim Eli Lilly Greater Toronto Airports Authority Aecon Enbridge Rogers Google WSIB Ontario Waste Connections of Canada Cogeco Omers Labatt Arcelor Mittal IBC GSK LiUNA ICG Northeastern University Fire and Flower Golfdale Consulting The Stratagem Group TLN Media Group 407 ETR Concession Company Ltd. Accerta Rothmans, Benson and Hedges (RBH) Grasshopper AstraZeneca Bio Marin Pharmaceutical Birch Hill Equity Partners Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals CF Industries Cisco Systems Canada Club Link Corporation Innovative Medicines Canada Magna Carta International Pfizer Canada Inc. Service Now The Canada Life Assurance Company Northbridge Consulting Insurance MNP Takeda TC Energy Destination Nothern Ontario Interac Corp. DoorDash Staffy Microsoft Cadillac Fairview Meta Beer Canada Shopify Inc

Ontario Chamber of Commerce © 2023 | Privacy Policy | Service Standard | Employment Opportunities
The OCC is an accredited chamber of commerce