TORONTO, Ont. — Transportation companies continue to dominate the annual list of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies award. New among transportation companies on the list of the top 50 Best Managed Winners list for 2007 were Cummins Western Canada and TransX.

In addition to the top 50, Platinum Club status is given in recognition of those outstanding companies who have sustained a standard of excellence and leadership in all areas of their business practices, and have qualified in the award program for at least six consecutive years. In total, 52 elite companies throughout Canada have been awarded Platinum Club membership in 2006 (up from 44 in 2006). Platinum Club Members in the transportation sector include: Bison Transport, Challenger Motor Freight, Consolidated Fastfrate, Fountain Tire, Kriska Holdings, MSM Transportation, Quik X Transportation, Wheels Group, and Yanke Group of Companies.

In addition to the 52 Platinum Club members, 84 leading Canadian companies requalified in 2007 for the Best Managed designation by successfully meeting stringent operational and financial review requirements. Requalified members from the transportation industry for 2007 include: Armour Transportation Systems, Day & Ross, H & R Transport, MacKinnon Transport, M-O Freightworks, and Tandet Management.

Organizer said the winners of this year’s competition enjoyed the highest profit and revenues since the program’s inception, boasting combined sales of $8.5 billion and average sales growth of 31%.

“This year’s winners leveraged their entrepreneurial passion to drive their revenue, profits and value in the face of triple-digit oil prices, a strong Canadian dollar, and mixed economic signals south of the border,” commented John Hughes, Deloitte partner and national leader of the Best Managed program.

“The 2007 Best Managed companies have clearly proven their stability in a changing economy” said Calvin A. Younger, senior vice-president, CIBC Commercial Banking, a national sponsor of the program. “They think beyond their own walls and have achieved outstanding results. We are thrilled with their achievements this year.”

The Platinum Club and 50 Best Managed Companies awards are sponsored by Deloitte, CIBC Commercial Banking, Queen’s School of Business, and the National Post newspaper. A ceremony honouring the winners will take place in Toronto Feb. 25.