News

View By Year :

CBC News Clip - WP Griffin receives BDC Award

Thursday November 23, 2006

View the CBC news clip about WP Griffin receiving the BDC Award.

AIB - American Instutite of Baking

Thursday November 9, 2006

AIB - American Instutite of Baking awarded W.P. Griffin Inc. with the "Superior Rating 2006". Food Safety is a high priority at W.P. Griffin Inc. From farm record keeping to GPS farming equipment to specializied training our farm is committed to be a leader in Food Safety and sustainable farming practices. This year AIB upgraded our rating to their highest level - "Superior 2006". I would like to congratulate all of our dedicated staff for their commitment to W.P. Griffin Inc. and our Food Safety Program. I would also like to give a special thank you to Christina Gaudet (our Technical Development Specialist) for her leadership and hard work. Thank You, John & Peter Griffin

CFIB Business Ownership Transition Award

Wednesday September 27, 2006

Halifax, Nova Scotia, September 27, 2006 %u2013 BDC today named W.P. Griffin Inc., of Elmsdale, PEI as the first recipient of the CFIB Business Ownership Transition Award. The award will be presented during Small Business Week in October and was designed to raise awareness of a public policy issue that, if not addressed, holds serious consequences for the Canadian economy. "We are seeing the beginning of an unprecedented demographic wave of ageing, retiring entrepreneurs and the majority has no succession plan to transfer their business to new owners," said BDC President and CEO Jean-René Halde. "W.P. Griffin Inc. is great example of how to plan properly and, for that accomplishment, has won the first CFIB Business Ownership Transition Award." This family-owned and operated potato farming business managed the company's transition from one generation to the next when John Griffin took over the reins from his mother, Mary Ellen Griffin, in 2001. Mary Ellen had filled the top management role herself after her husband (Wilfred) and the company's founder, passed away in 1996. "A well-executed transition means higher value for a company. This has certainly been true in our case as the succession process helped us stay on course with the company's growth plan," said John Griffin, President. When John became President, he led the business on its largest expansion ever. In an effort to position the company as a contemporary player on the market, and to differentiate it from its competitors, Griffin's packaging facility was expanded and completely modernized. The company %u2013 which supplies Sobeys, packages under the Dole label and also contracts processing to Cavendish and McCain %u2013 saw its facilities become recognized as the most modern and diversified in Canada, even integrating within its operation the first optical potato grader in North America. Over the following years, W.P. Griffin launched new added-value potato products, and implemented an in-house workplace education program. The company has also become an industry leader in sustainable farming practices. John Griffin's efforts were rewarded as the company saw its profits more than double over a 2-year period. "W.P. Griffin is a perfect example of how putting the time and energy into creating a well thought-out succession plan can ensure a business' prosperity into the next generation," said Catherine Swift, President and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). "We are very proud to have John and his family as members of CFIB, and it is our hope that, in honouring their achievements, other small business owners will be inspired to start their own succession planning process." The entrepreneur/buyer as well as the entrepreneur/seller will both be honoured during Small Business Week which takes place this year from October 15 to 21. They will also receive a business grant of $20,000 to help the company meet its future growth objectives. In W.P. Griffin's case, this means introducing additional development programs such as lean manufacturing and marketing training, and also working on the next generation's succession plan. "Professional legal and tax advice will be needed," said John Griffin. "My brother and I are both in our early forties, and it is time we start planning for the future again. We know how much Griffin's long-term success depends on it. " About BDC BDC is a financial institution wholly owned by the Government of Canada. BDC actively supports the development and growth of Canadian small and medium-sized businesses through its complementary financial, investment and consulting solutions. About CFIB CFIB is a non-partisan political action organization that exists to promote and protect a system of free competitive enterprise, to strengthen the entrepreneurial culture in Canada, and to give independent business a greater voice in determining the laws that govern business and the nation. The Federation is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2006. With over 105,000 small- and medium-sized business owner members across the country, CFIB has grown to become the largest individual membership business organization in Canada.

Fork Lift Safety Course

Wednesday August 16, 2006

W.P. Griffin Inc. was pleased to offer a 1-Day lift truck safety training course to 18 workers. As of Jan. 1, 2007, all farms in P.E.I. will come under the Occupational Healty and Safety Act. Course instructor was Garry Processer owner/trainer with All Lift Truck Training. Sitting in on the course were Marilyn Affleck, Farm Safety Co-ordinator with the P.E.I. federation of Agriculture and Janice Whalen, Farm Safety Specialist with the Workers Compensation Board.

Staff Trip to Peggy's Cove

Sunday June 25, 2006

Each year our staff plan a fun end of the shipping season party. On June 25, 2006 W.P. Griffin Inc. staff headed out on their first staff bus trip to Peggy's Cove. We would like to thank Sobey's Retail Support Centre in Debert N.S. for hosting us for a facility tour. The 250,000 sq ft facility was a real eye opener. We would also like to thank Gordon's Bus Tours for driving us and taking great care of us that day.

E&Y Entrepreneur Of The Year - Nominee

Thursday June 15, 2006

On October 5, 2006, a finalist in each business category will be presented with a regional category award during a gala celebration, with one category recipient then being awarded the title Entrepreneur Of The Year for the Atlantic region. The Atlantic award recipient goes on to compete with top entrepreneurs from the Pacific, Prairies, Ontario and Quebec regions for the coveted national honour of Entrepreneur Of The Year, to be announced November 2, 2006, in Ottawa. In June 2007, Canada's Entrepreneur Of The Year moves to the world stage, joining more than 35 country recipients participating in the international competition for the title of World Entrepreneur Of The Year.