W.A. Grains & Pulse Solutions is having a banner year.
In addition to being named to the top 500 fastest growing Canadian companies list at number 18, W.A. Grains & Pulse was named the 2014 Small Business of the Year at the Community & Business Awards Gala on Oct. 17 at the Royal Canadian Legion.
“We were taken by surprise by the nomination,” said Chris Chivilo, president and chief executive officer of W.A. Grains & Pulse Solutions. “That itself was an honour. It is nice to be recognized by the Innisfail business community and we appreciate the nod.”
W.A. Grains & Pulse Solutions was formed by Chris & Tracey Chivilo in March 2007. Based out of Innisfail since day one, the company has moved from buying grain from the top of a rail car to offices in Alberta and Saskatchewan with further expansion and strategic alliances planned. The company employs 44 people, 32 of which are in Alberta with the remainder in Saskatchewan. Their products will go to 20 countries around the world with more on the horizon.
“The agriculture industry in western Canada is a vibrant, fast paced world and we love it,” said Chivilo. “He who adapts fastest wins and we have been able to move quickly and plan for multiple scenarios with good management and advice, financially and strategically.”
Chivilo pointed out that Innisfail has been a good fit for their employees and provides a central point for their business in addition to being the community he plans to retire in.
“As a company, winning the Small Business of the Year Award will help us locally,” added Chivilo. “A year ago, we were relative unknowns. We can no longer be that company and with a higher profile it will bring opportunities to our doorstep. We are no longer the little office beside the bowling alley.”
See the full length story on W.A. Grain and Pulse Solutions on page 27.
