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OBAA 2019 Finalists: Sustainability Award
October 31, 2019Since 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 Sustainability Award
The Sustainability Award is presented to the business who shows sustainable and long-term commitment to improving the quality of life in their community and is recognized as being a leader and/or has implemented an industry-leading environmental or corporate sustainability initiative.
Finalist #1: 3M Canada Company
Industry: Manufacturing solutions
When did your organization first open its doors? What motivated you to get into business?
When 3M began in 1902, our five founders had a simple goal: to mine for corundum, a mineral ideal for making sandpaper and grinding wheels. Turns out, what they thought was corundum was really another low-grade mineral called anorthosite.
Discovering the poor-quality mineral could have caused an early end to our fledgling company, but our founders persisted. Why? Because something more important was born that first year: the spirit of innovation and collaboration that forms the foundation of 3M today. So instead of calling it quits, we turned to different materials, applied them to other products, gained the trust of important investors and built up sales little by little.
Scientific, technical and marketing innovations produced success upon success over the years, eventually making 3M a constant name on the Fortune 500 list. Today, more than 60,000 3M products are used in homes, businesses, schools, hospitals and other industries. One third of our sales come from products invented within the past five years, thanks to innovations from the thousands of researchers and scientists we employ around the world. With corporate operations in 70 countries and sales in 200, we are committed to creating the technology and products that advance every company, enhance every home and improve every life.
Established in 1951, 3M Canada was one 3M’s first international subsidiaries, with the head office and original manufacturing site in London, Ontario, where approximately 850 of the company’s 1600 Ontario-based employees work. 3M Canada operates six ISO 50001 certified manufacturing facilities in Canada. In addition to our headquarters in London, 3M operates 6 manufacturing facilities in Ontario – located in London, Perth, Brockville and Mississauga – as well as our national distribution centre, which is located in Milton, Ontario.
What does being an OBAA finalist mean to you?
At 3M Canada, advancing sustainability is a priority as it is for all of our stakeholders. It truly is at the heart of who weare as a company, we are committed to working with our customers, business partners, and communities to innovate for a more sustainable future. Being nominated, and being a finalist, for the Ontario Chamber of Commerce Ontario Business Achievement Awards means a lot to 3M Canada. It reinforces that our commitment to sustainability, a commitment that can be traced to 1975 and the launch of our Pollution Prevention Pays program, is the right choice for 3M and our customers.
How does your organization positively contribute to Ontario’s economy?
Established in 1951, 3M Canada was one 3M’s first international subsidiaries, with the head office and original manufacturing site in London, Ontario, where approximately 850 of the company’s 1600 Ontario-based employees work. 3M Canada operates six ISO 50001 certified manufacturing facilities in Canada. In addition to our headquarters in London, 3M operates 6 manufacturing facilities in Ontario – located in London, Perth, Brockville and Mississauga – as well as our national distribution centre, which is located in Milton, Ontario.
By working in collaboration with several government agencies and lead universities, our R&D centres are focused on applying the breadth of 3M technology to meet Ontario’s current and future needs in key sectors like Energy, Health Care, Safety, Aerospace, and Industrial. Our R&D laboratory organization was established in the early 1980s to better serve the Canadian market and our manufacturing operations. Overall, we have over 100 R&D employees, including 35 Ph. Ds in a variety of disciplines. Our largest R&D presence is in London. Our work falls primarily within the following five categories: Pressure Sensitive Adhesives and Release Coatings; Infection Prevent Skin Antiseptics; Respiratory Filter Design and Carbon Chemistries; Coasted Abrasives; and, Coatings and Composites for energy and aerospace. 3M is an excellent example of how Government-University-Industry research partnership creates the next generation of technologies that translate in business development supporting Canada’s success.
Through our business activities and our partnerships, 3M Canada supports equipping Ontario and Ontarians with the skills and tools needed to prosper in the 21st century. We are committed to working with our partners to tackle megatrends affecting Ontario such as climate change, population health, urbanization, and the electrification of urban transportation. This includes our laboratories working with partners to address the scientific challenges they face every day. We are committed to promoting a renewed focus on STEM education to encourage Ontario’s youth to seek careers in STEM and in the skilled trades. To that end we proudly support organizations such as Canada 2067 and Let’s Talk Science. Furthermore, we believe in leveraging Ontario’s diverse workforce for the mix of bright minds needed to advance knowledge economy jobs and address the issues that will face our province in the years ahead – putting a brighter future within reach.
Connect with 3M Canada Company on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
“At 3M we apply science to solve customer problems, reduce environmental impact, and improve the lives of people around the world. As a purpose-driven enterprise, we are committed to working with our customers, business partners, and communities to innovate for a more sustainable future.”
Richard Chartrand, Executive Director, Country Laboratory Leader, 3M Canada Company
Finalist #2: Humber College
Industry: Post-Secondary Institution
When did your organization first open its doors? What motivated you to get into business?
In the early years of Toronto, the Humber River provided the local industry with the energy source and communications link it needed to flourish. In 1967, Humber College took on that heritage, dedicating itself to the communication of ideas and energy that would foster lifelong learning.
Humber opened its doors in 1967 in Etobicoke, Ontario, and became one of the first Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology (CAATs). CAATs were established by provincial legislation in 1967 in response to the need for a skilled workforce. Their mandate was to provide accessible, quality career education and training to enhance the social and economic development of Ontario and to meet local, regional and global marketplace demand.
More than 50 years later, Humber has more than 33,000 full-time students in 200 programs across a wide range of disciplines and career paths. More than 6,000 international students from more than 130 countries across the world study at Humber, demonstrating the global appeal of a Humber education.
When factors helped contribute to the success of your organization?
Humber College has grown and evolved into an innovative and collaborative educational institution, at the forefront of
business, industry, and society.
Humber is an global leader in polytechnic education known for its commitment to students, faculty, and staff. Workintegrated learning opportunities and access to industry-leading technology and labs helps provide Humber students with the required skills, knowledge and experience to be career-ready and move seamlessly from education to employment.
Humber offers more than 200 full-time programs, ranging from apprenticeships to honours undergraduate degrees. Students are interested in Humber’s diverse program offerings, including everything from 3D Animation, Culinary, Early Childhood Education, International Development, Music, Nursing, Police Foundations, and Sustainable Energy and Building Technology.
Humber’s success is reflected in its strong reputation with community and industry partners. These partnerships keep Humber programs up-to-date with the latest technical developments, industry and community trends and skillsets and competencies demanded by employers. These partnerships also provide experiential learning and employment opportunities for students, which help more than 83 per cent of graduates becoming employed within six months of completing their program.
How does your organization positively contribute to Ontario’s economy?
Humber’s original mandate was to provide accessible, quality career education and training to enhance the social and economic development of Ontario and to meet local, regional and global marketplace demand.
This mandate and commitment has strengthened over the years, and to meet the increasing demands of an evolving global workforce, Humber offers a wide range of credentials including honours undergraduate degrees; Ontario graduate certificates; diplomas; apprenticeships; and certificates. Many flexible learning and continuing education options are offered to meet the needs of today’s learners.
With more than 10,000 graduates entering the workforce annually, Humber is a significant supplier of qualified workers for virtually every job sector in Ontario. Each Humber program is designed to prepare graduates for the workforce and future postsecondary education opportunities.
What does being an OBAA finalist mean to you?
With significant integration throughout Humber’s 2018-2023 Strategic Plan, sustainability is prioritized in everything Humber does. Humber is proud to be a leader in sustainable campus operations, which supports a vibrant campus community. With aggressive energy and climate commitments, Humber builds and operates low-impact campuses that support health and well-being; equity; diversity and inclusion; learning; innovation; biodiversity; and ecosystem health and community.
Being recognized as a finalist for the OBAA Sustainability Award is a tremendous honour for Humber College. Humber appreciates the recognition of the ongoing sustainability work taking place on campus and within the community. Humber is looking forward to celebrating the achievements of all finalists, and finding new opportunities for future collaboration.
Connect with Humber College on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
“Humber is successful because of its commitment to students, employees and the community. Students learn from industry-experienced professors in state-of-the-art facilities and innovative creative spaces. Students have the opportunity to work on case study and partner-led initiatives to solve real-world problems, while developing core competencies to be career-ready global citizens.”
Chris Whitaker, President and CEO, Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning