Manderley Turf Products Requalifies as One of Canada's Best Managed Companies

Ottawa-based 2011 winner requalifies in 2012 to maintain status as a Best Managed Company.

OTTAWA, Feb. 26, 2013 /CNW/ - Manderley Turf Products, Canada's largest sod supplier, was today requalified as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies for 2012. The company was a winner of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies program in 2011, a prestigious national awards program sponsored by Deloitte, CIBC, National Post, and Queen's School of Business.

"As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we would like to congratulate Manderley and its entire workforce. Achieving Canada's highest level of Canadian business excellence takes a united effort and we are privileged to acknowledge such a strong team," said John Hughes, National leader for Canada's Best Managed Companies program and leader of the Greater Toronto Growth Enterprise practice for Deloitte.

"Manderley is once again honoured to be a member of Canada's Best Managed Companies says Greg Skotnicki, President, Manderley Turf Products and a Member of the Board of Directors of the Nursery Sod Growers Association of Ontario (NSGA).

Since 1960, Manderley has been creating beautiful, sustainable lawns for homeowners, builders and commercial developers. It has prospered by providing excellent products, prompt delivery and superb service to all its clients, big or small, local or international. Manderley was instrumental in establishing and organizing the sod industry in Canada and to this day remains at the forefront as a respected leader in pioneering new products, services and processes that improve the client experience and reduce the impact on the environment.

"Manderley has grown to be Canada's largest sod supplier and an industry pioneer; helping to champion the NSGA Green Certification program for sod farms in addition to developing environmentally responsible products and processes" adds Skotnicki. The Company recently introduced Canada's first certified drought-tolerant sod and seed products, Manderley Less Water Sod and Grass Seed, which reduce water consumption by upwards of 50%.

Established in 1993, Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies is a national awards program, recognizing Canadian companies that have implemented world-class business practices and created value in innovative ways. Applications are reviewed by an independent judging panel that evaluates how companies address various business challenges, including new technologies, globalization, brand management, leadership, leveraging and developing core competencies, designing information systems, and hiring the right talent to facilitate growth.

"Requalifying as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies validates the continuous efforts of our excellent staff in striving to pioneer innovative products and processes that benefit our clients, and the planet."

About Manderley
For over 50 years years, Manderley Turf Products has been helping Canadians create beautiful lawns and green spaces. As Canada's largest turfgrass sod producer with over 75 million square feet sold annually and 6,000 acres in production, Manderley has been instrumental in the creation and advancement of the sod industry in Canada and continues to lead with improvements  in production, distribution and product development including drought tolerant turfgrass that significantly reduces water consumption. Manderley sod is grown and sold in the area surrounding Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Calgary, Edmonton and Northern Alberta. www.manderley.com

About Canada's Best Managed Companies
Canada's Best Managed Companies continues to be the mark of excellence for Canadian-owned and managed companies with revenues over $10 million. Every year since the launch of the program in 1993, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies have competed for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates their management skills and practices. The awards are granted on four levels: 1) Best Managed winner (one of the 50 new winners selected each year); 2) Requalified member (repeat winners retain the Best Managed designation for two additional years, subject to annual operational and financial review); 3) Gold Standard winner (After three consecutive years of maintaining their Best Managed status, these winners have demonstrated their commitment to the program and successfully reapplied for the designation. Companies may requalify for two additional years, subject to annual operational and financial review; 4) Platinum Club member (winners that maintain Best Managed status for a minimum of six consecutive years). Program sponsors are Deloitte, CIBC, National Post, and Queen's School of Business. For further information, visit www.bestmanagedcompanies.ca.

Visit the online community for private companies the Best Managed channel on FP Executive: www.financialpost.com/bestmanaged

To find out more about Canada's Best Managed Companies, visit www.canadas50best.com

SOURCE: Manderley Turf Products Inc.