GALA AWARDS 2023

Steve was born and raised in Winnipeg, Canada. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Manitoba before attending UBC Law School where he graduated with his LL.B (J.D.). Upon graduating, Steve returned to Winnipeg and practiced law as a commercial litigator until 1997 when he made a career change to business.

Steve joined Conviron, a company owned by the Kroft family, and operated the business and its associated companies (the CEL Group) as President, CEO and then Executive Chairman until its sale in September 2022. Under Steve’s leadership, CEL became widely recognized as the world leader in the supply and manufacturer of controlled environment equipment used primarily in agricultural research and high value plant production applications. Today, CEL-engineered solutions are relied on by the world’s most prestigious universities, government and private research institutes, and Ag biotech multinationals in more than 90 countries. CEL remains based in Winnipeg, with sales and service offices on four continents.

Steve now spends most of his business time at Falcon Capital Corporation, his family investment office, which invests in a range of companies and real estate. He serves on the Board of Directors of the North West Company (NWC.TO). He is also on the Board of Directors of the recently established Manitoba First Fund. Previously, Steve served as Vice Chair of Manitoba Hydro.

ABOUT THE AWARD

The Hall of Fame award celebrates individuals who have demonstrated leadership in the development of their company or companies and success in their chosen industry. These individuals are visionary leaders and exhibit these qualities through the design or implementation of revolutionary products, systems or processes. They are strongly integrated into the community and demonstrate a positive impact with youth and students.

In 1950, Abraham Plett – inventor, entrepreneur, and businessman – bought a grain auger to resell to a customer. In what could have been a serious accident, the auger collapsed under load. Abraham, as a result, designed a better undercarriage for the manufacturer. But when the manufacturer refused to incorporate his design improvements, Abraham decided he would build a better grain auger himself. He sold his first two augers in 1951, choosing the name Westfield, alongside the now-familiar bright yellow colour – reminiscent of the gold prairie wheat which surrounded his home.

By 1968, Westfield Industries expanded into a brand new 8,400 square foot factory and new model lineups were introduced. Sales grew – first locally, then into the US, and then overseas. By the early 2000’s, the company became a part of Ag Growth Industries, to become AGI Westfield. Today, Westfield has become the leading portable grain auger manufacturer in the world. Founded and operated on Abraham’s same principles of invention and progress, the company has stayed committed to adapting designs, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

ABOUT THE AWARD

The Pioneer award looks back at those people who began a manufacturing business in Manitoba and nurtured it into a successful company. This award recognizes key builders of our manufacturing community who launched successful companies that significantly increased employment in the sector.

Todd LeRoy has a diverse career at Loewen which has included many roles with increased responsibility since he started at Loewen in 1982.

Starting on the shipping dock, Todd moved into positions that included safety, transportation, and leadership throughout his 40-year tenure with the company. In addition to his earlier roles in workplace safety and health, Todd credits his dedication to safety to his time with the Volunteer Paramedic Service of Steinbach.

Todd’s diversification in knowledge, leadership and expertise has been invaluable during a temporary on-site assignment in 2009 as the Director, Operations for Loewen Lift Slide in Oceanside, California where he provided leadership on Lean principles, process improvement and operations practices. He held several leadership positions in nearly all areas of Loewen, and in 2015 was promoted to VP, Manufacturing. Todd’s dedication to safety shows as a longstanding proponent of safety, including championing Loewen’s efforts to become one of the first SAFE Work Certified by Made Safe manufacturers in the province.

Since 2016 Todd has represented Loewen on the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters Manitoba Board of Directors and currently sits on the national board, advocating for manufacturing and helping advance the importance of safety across the country.

ABOUT THE AWARD

The Safety Leadership Award celebrates individuals who have demonstrated leadership in safety and health in the manufacturing industry. In addition, these individuals have a history of advancing safety and health practices within their organization and industry. The winner of this award has made a lasting impact on the safety and health of others in the industry.

Elmer’s Manufacturing Ltd. designs, manufactures, and supports high-quality, innovative equipment focusing on the needs of progressive farmers. Elmer’s started as a small farm business in 1978 and has grown from building row crop cultivators to an extensive and diversified group of equipment lines for any size farming operation.

In the late 2000s, Elmer’s began producing the Haulmaster grain carts and the revolutionary Super 7 Harrow and later added the Wolverine Ditcher, Ravage Bale Processor. In 2019 Elmer’s had a fire, resulting in a total loss of their assembly and paint building. Since 2019, Elmer’s has started and completed two expansions resulting in 60,000 sq ft of production space to meet the continually growing needs of Canada, the US, Australia, and South Africa.

A large part of Elmer’s growth has been from the Elmer’s Haulmaster Demo Program, equipped with 20+ support staff and multiple grain carts, which travel thousands of miles through dozens of states and provinces to prototype and field-test new products to better fit the farmers’ needs.

Elmer’s continues to expand its facilities and equipment capabilities to maintain the company’s vision to provide innovative agricultural equipment and solutions for maximizing farming potential to feed the world.

Learn more about Elmer’s here: https://elmersmfg.com/

ABOUT THE AWARD

The Export award is granted each year to a company demonstrating excellence in expanding into geographic markets and through significant and sustained export sales. This company has achieved a certain degree revenue growth either through regular operations or the creation of additional product lines or the innovation of existing designs. They exhibit good corporate citizenship and have contributed to the expansion of Manitoban and Canadian employment.

Micro Tool & Machine Ltd. (MTM) is a globally recognized equipment supplier that designs and manufactures robotic-based machines and tooling solutions used in the manufacturing of distribution and medium-sized power transformers.  MTM also offers custom machine design, automation, and robotic integration services to the local market.  Located in Winnipeg, Canada, MTM has provided custom solutions both locally and globally for over 55 years.

As part of their engineering, design, and manufacturing capabilities, MTM uses modern techniques and processes in our daily operations. Lean Manufacturing concepts are rooted in daily activities as they constantly look for ways to improve how they do their jobs.

While MTM is by no means a new company, their recent growth – spurred simply by hard work, smart business, and commitment to quality – has earned them the title of CME’s Emerging Award recipient, which is awarded annually to a company expanding their reach and emerging into new markets.

Learn more about the wide variety of solutions designed, developed, and manufactured by MTM by visiting https://mtmmachines.ca/

ABOUT THE AWARD

The Emerging award is designed to capture businesses that have significant future potential. It will recognize companies, both new and old, who are distinguishing themselves through growth, impact and innovation. These organizations are likely to become future leaders in Manitoba manufacturing and exporting.

CME Manitoba is proud to be presenting three $2,000 Manufacturing scholarships as a part of our awards program:

• Women in Manufacturing Scholarship
• Manitoba Trade & Technology Scholarship
• Indigenous Manufacturing Scholarship

Learn more about scholarship applications.

Recipient information coming soon!