Techno-savvy Manitobans receive awards

Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Techno-savvy Manitobans receive awards

Smart Partners of Manitoba presented 11 awards last night that recognize businesses and individuals for ways they’ve come up with to plug in customers and communities with the latest in technology.

The winners all deserve recognition but a couple of them stand out for sheer innovation, said Karen Keppler, executive director of Smart Partners, a community-based organization that encourages the use of technology in business.

One is the Winnipeg company K9 Storm Inc., which makes body armour for dogs; a product that is the choice of protection for a wide range of police forces around the world.

Another is Scootaround Inc., which makes wheelchairs and scooters available for trips.

Its locally operated call centre in Winnipeg supports a national customer base.

Other winners last night included the University of Winnipeg (education), Composite Innovation Centre (research), St. Laurent Mtis Heritage Committee Inc. (culture), Pembina Trails School Division (connectivity), Reh-Fit Centre (health), Lee Doerksen and The Dragonfly Toy Company (education special needs), Dee Buchwald (community), Y.E.S. Manitoba Inc. (youth), and Red River College (green technology).

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