(Ottawa, ON) — Leading-edge technology and innovative leadership has earned Mount Pearl's Abbyshot Clothiers the title of Canadian SME Innovator of the Year.

Abbyshot Clothiers designs, produces and markets screen accurate replica clothing, and sells their products around the globe through their website, abbyshot.com.  They were presented with the award at Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters' annual Canadian Innovation Awards February 2, at the Chateau Laurier Hotel in Ottawa. 

"The winners of the Canadian Innovation Awards are models of excellence for others to emulate," says Howard Nash, Chair of CME's NL Division. "We live in a competitive world, but nothing gives Newfoundlanders and Labradorians a greater sense of pride when we take on the world and win."

"We are so proud of what we achieved as a team at Abbyshot," said company president Bonnie Cook in her acceptance remarks. "This award is a testament to the success and commitment of all of the staff at our company."

"Newfoundland & Labrador companies always seem to make the cut in these awards," says CME Vice President Bill Stirling, "Our companies have to be innovative, given the unique challenges operating a business our province.  Previous winners from this province include Rutter, Lotek, and Orphan Industries."

Minister of Industry Tony Clement presented the six awards at CME's Innovation Awards luncheon, an element of Canada's leading trade and industry association's Roadmap to Recovery Summit.

Winners are as follows:

Vroomen.White.Design, Toronto, ON - Zurich's Canadian Innovation Award for Manufacturer of the Year

Iceculture Inc., Hensall, ON - EDC's Canadian Innovation Award for Global Business of the Year

Abbyshot Clothiers Ltd., Mount Pearl, NL - BDC's Canadian Innovation Award SME Innovator of the Year

Christie Digital Systems Canada, Inc., Kitchener, ON- NRC/IRAP's Canadian Innovation Award for New Technology

Megleen Inc. a.k.a. Tim Hortons, Scarborough, ON - Business Takes Action's Canadian Innovation Award for Innovator of the Year

Standard Aero Limited, Winnipeg, MB  - CAHRD's Canadian Innovation Award for Aboriginal Inclusion

About Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) is Canada's leading trade and industry association and the voice of manufacturing and global business in Canada.

The association directly represents more than 10,000 leading companies nationwide. More than 85% of CME's members are small and medium-sized enterprises. As Canada's leading business network, CME, through various initiatives including the establishment of the Canadian Manufacturing Coalition, touches more than 100,000 companies from coast to coast, engaged in manufacturing, global business and service-related industries.

CME's membership network accounts for an estimated 82% of total manufacturing production and 90% of Canada's exports.