Toronto, February 7, 2007 — The 2006 winners of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies award, announced today, achieved some of the strongest financial results since the program's inception 14 years ago — boasting consolidated sales of $8.3 billion and combined two-year sales growth of 31%, and collectively accounting for more than 45,000 employees throughout Canada.

This year's Best Managed Companies dealt with evolving challenges, including the continued fight to find the right employees, with 47% citing the talent shortage to be the most critical business challenge in building the value of their companies.

"This year's Best Managed Companies have achieved phenomenal financial performance — but it's not just about cash generation for them. The real driving force behind the success of these exceptional companies is a collective sense of accomplishment in achieving a vision and defining their own destiny," commented John Hughes, Deloitte Partner, and national leader of the Best Managed program. "These winning companies have an exceptional ability to remain focused on their long-term strategy while being responsive to the evolving business environment and challenges."

Insights into the 2006 Best Managed Winners
What are the issues, challenges and views of Canada's Best Managed Companies? Analysis by Deloitte's Private Company Services Group of this year's Best Managed winners reveals a number of insights into the future planning and business mindset of these winning companies.

• The primary challenge confronting 2006 Best Managed winners is building talent, cited by nearly half (47%) of winners, with management's agenda centred on the attraction, retention, development and compensation of its most critical resource.
• Best Managed Companies continue to see an exceptional opportunity to grow their product and service offering to create more value, with the majority of winners planning to pursue growth through new products and/or through new product lines (60% and 54% respectively).
• Despite the tripling cost of oil and an appreciation of the Canadian dollar by 40% over the last three years, Canadian businesses continue to have an impact globally with nearly half of winners (40%) planning to pursue revenue growth through international operations.
• Approximately half of 2006 winners plan to achieve future revenue growth through acquisitions and/or alliances (52% and 48% respectively).

 "The Selection Committee chose the 2006 Best Managed Companies because they clearly demonstrated confidence in their ability to enjoy continued growth and success," said James McSherry, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, CIBC Commercial Banking, a national sponsor of the program. "The winning status of these companies is a tribute to their talent, to their ability to deliver to their clients and to evolve on a sustained basis."

2006 Best Managed Winners by Province

2006 Best Managed winners, Platinum Club members, and Requalified members will be honoured at the 'Tribute to Talent' Symposium and Gala in Toronto on February 12, 2007.

About Canada's Best Managed Companies
Established in 1993, Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies (Best Managed) is one of the country's leading business awards programs recognizing excellence in Canadian-owned and managed companies with revenues over $10 million. Every year, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies compete for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates the calibre of their management abilities and practices. The awards are granted on three levels: 1) Best Managed winner (one of the 50 new winners selected each year); 2) Requalified member (repeat winners retain the Best Managed designation for two additional years, subject to annual operational and financial review);  3) Platinum Club member (winners that maintain Best Managed status for a minimum of six consecutive years). Program sponsors are Deloitte, CIBC Commercial Banking, National Post, and Queen's School of Business.

For further information, visit www.canadas50best.com.