29 July 2009
Women entrepreneurs in Atlantic Canada now have access to contract opportunities with Fortune 500 corporations and governments both in Canada, and around the world, thanks to a qualification program for women business owners. Brenda van Duinkerken, President of Duinkerken Foods, is the first woman business owner in Atlantic Canada to receive WEConnect Canada’s Women Business Enterprise Qualification.
This is the first-ever opportunity for women entrepreneurs in Atlantic Canada to qualify as “majority women-owned businesses” – an international certification standard that is required if a business wants to supply certain global markets through supplier diversity programs. The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) is collaborating with WEConnect Canada to deliver the qualification program in the region.
“This qualification program is an important step in bringing entrepreneurs to the next level. I want to congratulate Brenda van Duinkerken for earning this certification, which will position her company to become more competitive in the international marketplace,” said the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State (ACOA). “Our government recognizes that exporting is one of Atlantic Canada’s critical engines of economic growth – it generates revenue, fuels business opportunities and creates jobs. By helping women entrepreneurs expand their market horizons, ACOA’s investment in this project will help yield returns for the Atlantic economy.”
The WEConnect qualification program focuses on increasing economic opportunities for women-owned businesses through corporate supply chains in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries that promote supplier diversity. The only participant from Atlantic Canada, Brenda van Duinkerken is among a pilot group of 20 women business owners from across Canada whose companies were qualified by WEConnect Canada this spring.
“Since becoming WEConnect Canada qualified, Duinkerken Foods has experienced a significant boost in product sales and it has increased our exposure to new customers, which I’m very excited about,” said Brenda van Duinkerken. “The qualification has helped me obtain new contracts, connect with top procurement officers and is allowing me to take my passion of making high-quality, gluten-free food products to unthinkable levels.”
The WEConnect qualification program features educational, training, coaching and mentoring sessions that help women entrepreneurs gain a better understanding of supplier diversity programs, and connect them with procurement officers of top corporations and with other qualified firms to enhance their bidding capacity on large contracts. WEConnect Canada’s corporate members include Accenture, Alcatel-Lucent, BMO Financial Group, Cisco, Ernst & Young, IBM, Manpower, Merck Frosst, Pfizer, Staples, and Wal-Mart.
In Atlantic Canada, women business owners employ approximately 175,000 people and generate more than $2 billion dollars in sales revenues.
Duinkerken Foods Inc. produces high-quality gluten-free food products, such as mixes for biscuits, pizza dough and muffins, for people on restricted diets, such as those with celiac disease. The company’s products are sold locally, nationally and internationally.
For more information on WEConnect Canada’s Women Business Enterprise Certification, visit www.WEConnectCanada.org
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Brenda van Duinkerken, President of Duinkerken Foods, located in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, is the first woman business owner in Atlantic Canada whose company has been qualified by WEConnect Canada’s Women Business Enterprise Qualification. The international certification standard is required if a business wants to supply certain global markets through supplier diversity programs.
The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State (ACOA), said this initiative will help Atlantic Canadian women entrepreneurs expand their market horizons, which in turn enhances the strength of the Atlantic economy.
The WEConnect qualification program is aimed at increasing economic opportunities for women-owned businesses through corporate supply chains in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries that promote supplier diversity.
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INFORMATION:
Rose May Gallant
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-851-3034
