Linda Hasenfratz of Linamar competing for prestigious EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Award

• 15^th annual EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award to be held 3-7 June in Monaco
  
  
• Linda Hasenfratz is one of 65 entrepreneurs from 53 countries to be inducted in EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year Hall of Fame
  
  
• Three-day forum features prominent keynote speakers, including Howard Schultz, Sir Martin Sorrell and others

TORONTO, May 27, 2015 /CNW/ - Linda Hasenfratz, CEO of Linamar Corporation (TSE:LNR), winner of Canada's 2014 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award, will head to Monaco in June for the 15^th EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards. Linda will be among the 65 country winners, representing 53 countries to compete for the world title and cement their legacy by entering the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year Hall of Fame. The winner will be announced at a ceremony on the evening of Saturday, 6 June in Monaco.

Linda was recognized in Canada for her inspiring work transforming and accelerating the growth of Linamar, a major global automotive manufacturing business headquartered in Guelph, Ontario. She learned the business from the inside out, building a dynamic growth strategy that she used to propel Linamar to new heights after taking the helm as CEO in 2002. She's cultivated a culture of investing in the company's people and the future of the broader community.

A full list of the 65 winners competing this year is available at www.ey.com/weoy. For broadcast quality, downloadable video content, visit our broadcast newsroom https://broadcast.ey.com. The videos include non-branded B-roll, web videos and sound bites.

Follow @EYCanada and @EY_EOY on Twitter for the latest updates. Join the conversation by using #WEOY

Quotes

"The 15^th World Entrepreneur Of The Year event will celebrate the legacy that entrepreneurs leave through the innovations, jobs and economic growth they create, all of which help to build a better working world. Linda Hasenfratz is an outstanding entrepreneur, who is establishing her legacy as a job creator, an innovator, a community builder and a strong leader. We couldn't be more thrilled to have such a game-changer represent Canada at the world competition."

-- Colleen McMorrow, EY partner and National Entrepreneur Of The Year Program Director

"It's a tremendous honour to represent Canada at the World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award event in Monaco. I'm excited to compete against the other 64 entrepreneurs from around the world, because this competition goes beyond recognizing financial success. There is a focus on innovation, community building and creating a legacy you are proud of."

-- Linda Hasenfratz, CEO of Linamar

World Entrepreneur Of The Year forum

As well as the awards, this year's program includes a series of keynote speakers, panel discussions and events of special interest to entrepreneurs and influential business leaders in attendance, including EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni.

Under the theme "How are you reshaping our world?", the sessions will look at the impact entrepreneurs can make and the legacy they can leave, and in particular around the global issue of youth unemployment.

The forum provides global business leaders and entrepreneurs with the opportunity to tackle topical issues like business growth; the rising urban middle class; youth employment; IPO and strategic transactions; sustaining entrepreneurship in a family business; technology's role in shaping the future; and using digital disruption as a competitive edge.  

How winners are selected

The overall winner is chosen by an independent judging panel of distinguished former EY Entrepreneur Of The Year winners and other leading entrepreneurs. The award is given on the basis of six criteria, giving all country winners an equal opportunity to compete: entrepreneurial spirit; financial performance; strategic direction; global (or community) impact; innovation; and personal integrity/influence.

The independent judging panel will be chaired by Rebecca MacDonald, founder and Executive Chairman of the Board of Just Energy Group (Canada), and 2003 Ontario EY Entrepreneur Of The Year. Joining her will be:

• Fadi Ghandour of Aramex and Wamda Capital (UAE)
• Nobuyuki Idei of Quantum Leaps Corporation (Japan)
• Dr. Ruth Oltjer of Chemi-Pharm AS (Estonia)
• Ewald Raben of Raben Group (Poland)
• Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin of EcoWorld Development Group Berhad (Malaysia)
• Michael Wu of Maxim's Caterers Limited (China)

About EY

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EY refers to the global organization and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

About EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year^TM 

EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, World Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in 60 countries.

About Linamar

Linamar Corporation (TSX:LNR) is a diversified global manufacturing Company of highly engineered products powering vehicles, motion, work and lives. The Company is made up of 2 operating segments – the Powertrain/Driveline segment and the Industrial segment, which are further divided into 3 operating groups – Machining & Assembly, Forging, and Skyjack, all world leaders in the design, development and production of highly engineered products.  The Company's Machining and Assembly and Forging operating groups focus on precision metallic components, modules and systems for engine, transmission and driveline systems designed for global vehicle and industrial markets.  The Company's Skyjack operating group is noted for its innovative, high quality mobile industrial equipment, notably its class-leading aerial work platforms and telehandlers.  With more than 19,500 employees in 48 manufacturing locations, 5 R&D centers and 15 sales offices in 14 countries in North and South America, Europe and Asia, Linamar generated sales of $4.2 billion in 2014. For more information about Linamar Corporation and its industry leading products and services, visit www.linamar.com.

SOURCE EY (Ernst & Young)

Sasha Anopina, [email protected], 416 943 2637; Erika Bennett, [email protected], 403 206 5157; Julie Fournier, [email protected], 514 874 4308; Andrea Bowman, [email protected], 519 836 7550