EMC News - Kanata continues to set the standard when it comes to strong business growth.
Tuesday, July 12 marked the official opening of BSI Group Canada Inc.'s new office at 515 Legget Dr. in Kanata. BSI Group is a global independent business service organization, which enables businesses, governments and other organizations to increase profits and market access, and to enhance reputation with its standards-based solutions and assurance services.
Click here to see a short video presentation of the office opening event for BSI Canada in Ottawa 2011
Click to Enlarge
Phil Ambroziak , Kanata EMC
Gary Robinson, BSI Group Ltd. commercial director, Canada (centre) presents a BSI Quality Award of Excellence to Dr. Iain Christie, president and CEO of Neptec Design Group Ltd., during the official opening of BSI's Kanata office on July 12. Neptec is an aerospace design firm that develops sensors and other equipment for NASA and the Canadian Space Agency. Also on hand to lend his support was Gilles Leclerc, director general of space exploration at the Canadian Space Agency (left).
Click to Enlarge
Phil Ambroziak , Kanata EMC
Peter Nephin and Susan Thum of Neptec Design Group Ltd. Chat with Kanata North ward councillor Marianne Wilkinson during the official opening of the BSI Group Canada Inc. office at 515 Legget Dr. BSI, a global independent business service organization, opened its Kanata location on July 12.
"BSI started in the United Kingdom and has been around for 110 years," explained Gary Robinson, BSI commercial director, Canada.
The company, generally regarded as the world's first national standards body, was founded in 1901 as the Engineering Standards Committee and, in 1929, was awarded a royal charter. It adopted the name British Standards Institution (BSI) in 1929. Today, BSI partners with 66,000 organizations in 147 countries from its 50 offices. According to BSI officials, the company continues to improve the lives of millions by raising standards worldwide through its independence, innovation and integrity.
"BSI delivers standards-based solutions to help organizations improve quality, save money, reduce risk and be more sustainable," noted Howard Brown of Brown and Cohen Communications and Public Affairs. "They do this through the development of standards, the assessment and certification of management systems and medical devices, testing and certification of products and services, software solutions and training services." "It boils down to knowledge and compliance," Robinson continued.
As for the reasoning behind situating BSI's new office in Kanata, a first for Ottawa, Robinson said it's a great environment to be in. These sentiments were echoed by the city's deputy mayor, West Carleton-March ward councillor Eli El-Chantiry.
"It may be a small office they have here in Ottawa, but it will connect to a lot of businesses," El-Chantiry told the EMC. "BSI is 110 years old, started in the U.K. and now has offices all over the world. It is always a benefit any time we have a new business or a new company open in Ottawa, It helps address Mayor Jim Watson's campaign promise to improve economic development and, as a small businessman myself, I always welcome new business to the city." In addition to the official opening of BSI's new office, representatives from Kanata-based Neptec Design Group Ltd., an aerospace design firm, were in attendance to receive a special award.
The award of excellence was presented by BSI for Neptec's success in maintaining high quality standards throughout their work.
"We're very happy to be recognized by BSI for maintaining an outstanding quality control system," remarked Dr. Iain Christie, president and CEO of Neptec. "We're also very happy to see BSI expanding." Neptec, which builds sensors and other equipment for both NASA and the Canadian Space Agency, was recently recognized by NASA for its quality and productivity with the 2010 George M. Low Award. This was the firs time the award was presented to a non-U.S. company.
"It is an honour for Neptec to receive this award (from BSI) as well as the George M. Low Award from NASA, and I'm here to offer them my support," Gilles Leclerc, director general of space exploration at the Canadian Space Agency told the EMC. "We have developed a close relationship with Neptec over the years. The standards for space are very high and BSI provides Neptec with a service that validates the quality of its standards. This is why Neptec is being recognized tonight." Christie went on to say his company could not have achieved the success that it has without having an outside company like BSI to audit its quality control system.
"Our quality control system is something of great value to us, but in order to protect it, we need the help of people like those at BSI," he said.
El-Chantiry concluded his comments by expressing how proud the city is to have a BSI office established locally while Kanata North ward councillor Marianne Wilkinson said she is very pleased with the work BSI does for its clients.
"They did settle in the heart of the tech area, which is great because they will be dealing with a lot of tech-related businesses," she said. "Every business that comes into the community is an asset and I am happy to welcome them to Kanata." For more information about BSI, visit www.bsigroup.ca.
