Westfield Industries has received the 2010 Manitoba Export Award from the local division of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters. The Manitoba Export Award is presented annually as part of Manufacturing Week activities to celebrate achievements in Manitoba’s manufacturing and exporting sectors.
Westfield was a runner-up for the 2009 export award and managed remarkable growth again this year with another strong performance in spite of global economic slow down.
In the last 60 years Westfield has grown to become a leading manufacturer in portable grain handling equipment. From its base in Rosenort, Manitoba, and with additional manufacturing in Winnipeg, Westfield’s employees utilize over 174,000 square feet of manufacturing facilities to produce an extensive line of portable grain augers.
Exports accounted for a significant portion of Westfield’s total 2009 sales with the majority of exports going to the U.S. Westfield also serves markets worldwide including Australia,
New Zealand, Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Europe.
Greg Giesbrecht, Westfield’s sales manager, credits a deep commitment to customers for company’s ongoing success. “We listen to our customers and continually improve our products to better meet their needs,” says Giesbrecht. In 2009, the MK Flex was introduced to address the requirements of intensive farm operators that wanted to increase the efficiency of the unloading operation. The Flex allows unloading of multi hopper trailers without having to move the truck multiple times, and offers more flexibility in the placement of trucks and gravity wagons adjacent to the auger.
Ron Braun, Westfield Industries vice president also credits a dedication to lean manufacturing principles and R&D with the company’s ability to flourish in tough economic times. “Westfield continues to refine its process improvement initiatives for increased efficiency and to better serve its customers,” says Braun.