The County of Brant honoured four companies at the annual Salute to Brant Business event last Thursday.

Hundreds of professionals gathered at the Paris Fairgrounds to enjoy “a night of fellowship among the business community to facilitate networking and to recognize past, present and ongoing accomplishments within the County of Brant.”

The event was developed in collaboration with the Brant economic development advisory committee and sponsored by Telephone City Aggregates Inc.

Walters Group was named Company of the Year. Executive vice-president Peter Kranendonk accepted the award.

The Walters group of companies – started in 1956 as a small welding and ironworks shop by Walter Koppelaar, Sr. – focuses on creating complex structural steel for commercial and industrial construction projects across North America.

In 2000, Walters opened a state-of-the-art fabrication and coatings facility in Princeton.

BGI Retail and ModulR TS were also nominated.

South Korean company Finetex Ene Inc., which manufactures nano-fibre products on Sharp Road in Brantford – it’s only North American facility – won the Innovation Award

Also in the running for the Innovation Award were Solarship and Stubbe’s Precast Concrete.

Knitting business Mary Maxim was presented the tourism award, which was accepted by Carol Steed, for bringing needlework and craft enthusiasts to Paris since the 1950s.

The other finalists were the Twin Valley Zoo and Arlington Hotel.

Kara Pate of the family owned business Brantwood Farms accepted the Agriculture-Agri-Business Award. Other finalists were Smith Family Farm and Chary Produce.

Peter Krause, chair of the Brant economic development advisory committee, was master of ceremonies for the event. There were also speeches by Mayor Ron Eddy, MP Phil McColeman and MPP Dave Levac.

The keynote speaker was Hugh Macpherson, co-chairman and CEO of KPM Industries Ltd.

Source: (http://www.brantnews.com/news-story/6046242-salute-to-brant-business-recognizes-four-companies/)