NEWS RELEASES

September 24, 2001 (7:30 p.m. EDT) No. 134

MINISTER PETTIGREW PRESENTS

EXPORTER OF THE YEAR AWARD

International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew presented the prestigious Exporter of the Year award this evening to Teknion Corporation of Toronto, Ontario. In addition to the highest award in Canadian exporting, Teknion Corporation received a Canada Export Award 2001, along with nine other firms, during a gala dinner organized in Montreal by Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters.

Teknion Corporation, which was established in 1983, is renowned for its innovative design and high-quality office systems and furniture. The firm has a global network of more than 400 authorized dealers in more than 50 countries.

Minister Pettigrew presented the award to Frank Delfino, Teknion Corporation's President of Canadian and International Markets, in recognition of its achievements.

"I am very pleased to present the Exporter of the Year award to Teknion Corporation for its enormous success in Canada and abroad," Mr. Pettigrew said. "Teknion has created many jobs and has managed to penetrate a variety of markets. It is a real inspiration for Canadian exporting companies."

The Canada Export Award sponsors this year are the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Export Development Corporation, Pratt & Whitney Canada Inc., Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Sun Life Financial, the National Post, RBC Financial Group and Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters.

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