SureWerx Named One of Canada's Best Managed Companies in 2015

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - March 9, 2016) - SureWerx (formerly named JET Group), a leading supplier of professional tool, equipment and safety products for workers across North America, has been named one of Canada's Best Managed Companies in 2015 for its consistent drive towards excellence in business performance, high velocity company culture, and innovative strategic planning process. The Best Managed program, sponsored by Deloitte, CIBC, National Post, Smith School of Business and MacKay CEO Forums, recognizes Canadian-owned and managed companies with revenues over $10 million that demonstrate the strategy, capability and commitment required to achieve sustainable growth.

"We are honoured to have been recognized as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies," said Chris Baby, Chief Executive Officer, SureWerx. "At SureWerx, we place a high value in strategic planning and having a dynamic and talented team to execute our programs. Drawing from our experienced leadership team and valued partnerships, we strive to refine our processes to remain agile in our economic environment and evolve to drive the growth needs of our staff, customers, and shareholders."

Recognizing the current fast-paced economic environment in North America, SureWerx has implemented a highly successful and fluid strategic plan to expand the company and further develop their innovative product lines. This includes substantial technological innovations and a keen dedication to maintaining the high velocity company culture that helps the company thrive even during periods of continuous change. With an average employee tenure of 11.6 years, SureWerx's extremely low turnover rate of less than 15% is a clear testament that the best practices employed throughout the organization are working to retain highly motivated employees committed to consistently provide excellent customer support.

"I would like to recognize the entire efforts of SureWerx. It takes a dedicated effort from an entire team to focus on a core vision, create stakeholder value and excel in the global economy to achieve this level of success," said Peter Brown, Partner, Deloitte and Co-Leader, Canada's Best Managed Companies program.

"CIBC congratulates SureWerx on being named one of Canada's Best Managed Companies - a reflection of its strong leadership, sound business planning and focus on growth," said Jon Hountalas, Executive Vice-President, Business and Corporate Banking, CIBC. "We're proud to celebrate this outstanding achievement and applaud the entire team for their contributions to the Canadian marketplace."

Established in 1993, Canada's Best Managed Companies is one of the country's leading business awards programs recognizing Canadian-owned and managed companies that have implemented world-class business practices and created value in innovative ways. Applicants are evaluated by an independent judging panel on overall business performance, including leadership, strategy, core competencies, cross-functional collaboration throughout the organization, and talent.

The 2015 winners of the Canada's Best Managed Companies award, along with Requalified, Gold Standard, Gold Requalified winners and Platinum Club members will be honoured at the annual Canada's Best Managed Companies gala in Toronto on April 12, 2016. On the same date, the Best Managed symposium will address leading-edge business issues that are key to the success of today's business leaders.

About SureWerx

Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, SureWerx™ is a leading supplier of professional tool, equipment and safety products for workers. SureWerx markets its products in Canada under the JET®, Strongarm®, ITC®, STARTECH®, Pioneer®, Ranpro®, PeakWorks®, and Sellstrom® brands, and in the United States under the American Forge & Foundry®, Pioneer, Ranpro, PeakWorks, and Sellstrom brands. SureWerx offers an unparalleled access to its brands through its partner distributor network servicing the industrial, construction, safety, and automotive aftermarket markets in North America. SureWerx is owned by Penfund, one of Canada's oldest independent private equity firms. For more information, please visit us at www.surewerx.com or www.surewerx.ca.

About Canada's Best Managed Companies

Canada's Best Managed Companies continues to be the mark of excellence for Canadian-owned and managed companies with revenues over $10 million. Every year since the launch of the program in 1993, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies have competed for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates their management skills and practices. The awards are granted on five levels: 1) Best Managed winner (one of the new winners selected each year); 2) Requalified winner (award recipients that have re-applied and successfully retained their Best Managed designation for two additional years, subject to annual operational and financial review); 3) Gold Standard winner (After three consecutive years of maintaining their Best Managed status, these winners have demonstrated their commitment to the program and successfully retained their award for their 4th consecutive year); 4) Gold Standard requalified winner (Award recipients that have applied and successfully retained their Gold Standard designation for two additional years, subject to annual operational and financial review); 5) Platinum Club member (Winners have maintained their Best Managed status for seven years or more). Program sponsors are Deloitte, CIBC, National Post, Smith School of Business and MacKay CEO Forums. For further information, visit www.bestmanagedcompanies.ca.