The National Post announced today that Spartan Controls is one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies for 2004.  Spartan has previously won this award in 2001 and requalified in 2002 and 2003.

“Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies program has recognized some of the most innovative and best managed companies in Canada, and we are delighted to celebrate the accomplishments of Spartan Controls,” said Tony Grnak, partner at Deloitte, a national sponsor of the 50 Best Managed program.

“The 2004 50 Best Managed winners are an exceptional example of Canadian owned and managed companies who have proven their remarkable ability and commitment to apply best practices to all areas of their business operations,” said James McSherry, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, CIBC Commercial Banking, also a national sponsor of the program.  “These companies are clearly focused on delivering an exceptional level of service to their customers, and are committed to the continued innovation of products to stay ahead of the curve.”

The annual program (sponsored by Deloitte, CIBC, Queens Schools of Business, and the National Post) recognizes Canada's 50 Best Managed companies who have demonstrated exceptional ability and aptitude in all areas of management and best business practices.  To be recognized as one of the 50 Best Managed, companies must complete a comprehensive questionnaire, and an extensive, in‑depth interview process which is evaluated by an independent judging panel to assess and examine its management practices.  The panel evaluates how companies address various business challenges such as new technologies, globalization, brand, leadership, leveraging and developing core competencies, and designing the right organizations and systems to facilitate growth.  A national panel selects the final 50 recipients.

Spartan has delivered continued growth over the past several years and has earned a strong market position in he segments it participates, often holding the leadership position.  Much of the growth and strength can be attributed to the constant focus on serving the customer, great people, and great products from the manufacturers that Spartan represents (such as Emerson Process Management).

“We have to keep earning customer loyalty every new day, by continually improving” says Mike Begin, President and CEO of Spartan.  “We enjoy raising this bar.  Not long ago, a third party surveyed our local customers.  They rated us best in service at a rate 6 to 12 times greater than our competitors.  We like hearing this, but complacency erodes business while serving customers better than your competitors, earns business.  We started tracking what we called QBRs (Quantified Business Results).  We set a goal to create $100M in new incremental value within 5 years.  That 5 years finished in 2004 and we recorded $170M in 448 documented, customer‑verified QBRs.  Two years ago, we added a customer feedback database, tracking over 1000 feedbacks a year and making continuous improvements many small steps at a time.  This past year we added customer service audits of every group and department, with the same rigor that many companies audit safety and quality to certification levels.  All of this is in the interests of serving our customers better and better.”

About Spartan Controls Ltd.

Spartan Controls sells, applies and services products that measure, control, and automate processes for the process industries in Western Canada.  Spartan excels at serving their customers first.  The great people who work at the company, called Spartans, constantly demonstrate a distinct energy to do what it takes to help a customer, with a dedication to delivering great service and value.  Serving the oil and gas, power, pulp and paper, mining, chemical, water treatment and other process industries, Spartan continually invests to provide differentiated local support for their custome s.