Packers Plus Energy Services Inc. earns top spot as Prairies Ernst & Young
Entrepreneur Of The Year(R)
Canada's outstanding entrepreneurs propel economy forward
"Packers Plus has been boldly and relentlessly innovative," says
Formed in 2000 by Themig, Paltzat and Krabben, Packers Plus Energy Services introduced the StackFRAC(R) system - a technological application that has revolutionized the manner in which the drilling of oil and gas wells are completed - resulting in a dramatic increase in the amount of recoverable oil and natural gas. Packers Plus has made reserves, previously thought to be uneconomic, highly productive and profitable. Drawing on almost 20 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, the trio's invention has simplified pressure pumping operations and improved completion time. The technology also reaches large natural gas and oil resources that can't be tapped through conventional drilling and completion methods.
"By breaking through barriers and suggesting revolutionary ideas, entrepreneurs can make great changes that influence the economy and future generations," Boomer says. "Packers Plus has significantly benefited the oil and gas industry by redefining limitations and uncovering opportunities where none seemed to exist."
Themig has referred to the StackFRAC system as "one of the few technologies that will allow the oil and gas industry to add reserves in an increasingly difficult environment." Before joining Packers Plus, Themig, Paltzat and Krabben all worked at multinational oil services companies. Packers Plus was borne out of their common belief that innovative completion technologies would fundamentally change the economics and business practices of the oil and gas industry. With almost 400 employees, the company is expanding rapidly on a global basis - with offices and operations in
Category winners of the Prairies Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year
2009 Awards:
Energy technology
Dan Themig, Ken Paltzat, Peter Krabben
Packers Plus Energy Services Inc./Calgary, Alberta
packersplus.com
High-value provider of technology-based solutions to the oil and gas
industry. Specializes in open-hole, high-pressure, high-temperature
retrievable packers and specialty tools.
Business-to-business products and services
Randy Gee
Randy Gee Holdings/Calgary, Alberta
flynca.com
Owns or partially owns businesses that serve the unique needs of the
oilfield services industry, particularly in the Fort St. John region,
including airline charters, platform piles, tool rentals, real estate and
construction.
Business-to-consumer products and services
David Farran
Associate Veterinary Clinics Ltd./Calgary, Alberta
associatevets.com
Owns and operates chain of small animal veterinary clinics and hospitals.
Cleantech
Christianne Carin EarthRenew Organics Ltd./Calgary, Alberta
earthrenew.com
Develops, patents and commercializes technologies for electricity
generation, heat processing, fertilizer manufacture, water desalination and
water treatment for mine tailings and industrial lagoons.
Emerging
Linda Maslechko, Mona Rae Peterson
Triple Flip Inc./Calgary, Alberta
tripleflip.ca
Designer and retailer of clothing for active pre-teen girls.
Energy services
Ron Carson
Carson Energy Services Ltd./Lampman, Saskatchewan
carsonwelding.com
Provider of pipeline and facilities construction and maintenance services
to companies in the oil and gas industry in Saskatchewan, Alberta and
Manitoba.
Manufacturing
Russ A. Edwards
WGI Westman Group Inc./Winnipeg, Manitoba
westmangroup.com
Operates manufacturing, sales and distribution facilities in 24 centres in
Canada and the US, maintains dealer networks across North America, and has a
worldwide customer base.
Professional/financial services
Charlie SpiringWellington West Holdings Inc./Winnipeg, Manitoba
wellingtonwest.com
Provides full-service brokerage, financial planning, asset management and
capital markets services.
Social
Glori Meldrum
Little Warriors/Edmonton, Alberta
littlewarriors.ca
National charitable organization focused on the education and prevention
of child sexual abuse.
What's next?
As the Prairies region's Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009 winners, Themig, Paltzat and Krabben will compete with top entrepreneurs from the Atlantic, Pacific, Ontario and Québec regions for the national honour of Canada's Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009, to be presented at a gala celebration
About the awards program
The Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards honour the spirit and contribution of entrepreneurs here and around the world. This year, the Canadian program is proudly celebrating 16 years of honouring Canada's outstanding entrepreneurs from all areas of business. For more information on the program, please visit ey.com/ca/eoy.
Nominees are reviewed by an independent judging panel, which is composed of several distinguished business leaders and previous award recipients. The members of the Prairies region panel for 2009 were
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year is sponsored nationally by Global Television Network, National Post, La Presse and RDI. Prairies region program sponsors are the
About Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 144,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential. For more information, please visit ey.com/ca.
For further information: Brooke McLachlan, [email protected], (604) 899-3597; Amanda Olliver, [email protected], (416) 943-7121; Marie-Ève Graniero, [email protected], (514) 874-4313
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