TORONTO, Ont. — Three transportation companies have been named among the best managed companies in the country for 2006. Maritime-Ontario Freight Lines of Brampton, Ont., H&R Transport of Lethbridge, Alta., and Armour Transportation Systems of Moncton, N.B. have each won one of the prestigious 2006 Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies awards. Each company will be honoured, along with Requalified and Platinum Club members, at the annual Best Managed gala in Toronto on Feb. 12.

The 2006 Best Managed winners are an outstanding group of Canadian-owned and managed companies that have proven their remarkable ability and commitment to apply best practices to all areas of their business operations, said John Hughes, national leader of the Best Managed program. These companies clearly demonstrate innovation, leadership and a laser focus on their customers and employees. Their example illustrates that focusing on business fundamentals while pursuing a clearly defined strategy is key to achieving exceptional results.

Established in 1993, the Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies is a national awards program, recognizing Canadian companies that have implemented world-class business practices and created value 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 and hiring the right talent to facilitate growth. This prestigious national award is sponsored by Deloitte, CIBC Commercial Banking, National Post and Queen’s School of Business.