Sudbury concrete maker earns nod for shop-Ontario marketing plan

Brown’s Concrete in Sudbury is one of four Ontario manufacturers being lauded for its advocacy of Ontario-made products.

The company received the Consumer Awareness Award — recognizing a company that “excels at leveraging the Ontario Made logo to raise awareness for locally made products” — during the inaugural Ontario Made Awards, held during a virtual ceremony on Feb. 24.

An initiative of the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME), the Ontario Made Awards recognize outstanding Ontario manufacturers and retailers that help consumers make informed decisions in increasing the sale and awareness of Ontario-made products.

Brown’s Concrete, which has been in operation since 1907, manufactures concrete blocks, paving stones, retaining wall units and other concrete items at its expansive brickyard in the city’s south end.

The company stood out for its efforts in promoting its products as Ontario-made through its marketing and social media efforts, applying the ‘Ontario Made’ logo on signage throughout the Sudbury premises, and on all its product packaging.

Brown’s is also a reseller of products made by other Ontario manufacturers.

In accepting the award, office manager Ken Scott noted that, with the company celebrating its 115th anniversary in 2022, winning the award is “a great way to start the year.”

“We’re with some great company in the other nominees,” he said. “I wish everybody the best, much continued success.”

The other award winners include:

• Grey Jay Sales & Distribution of Richmond Hill, which received the Merchandising Excellence Award;
• Bliss Dough of Guelph, which received the Manufacturer Spotlight Award; and
• The Market Shoppe of Markdale, which received the Retailer Spotlight Award.

They were chosen from 130 nominations and 26,000 votes from the public.

The Ontario Made Awards are an extension of the CME’s Ontario Made product directory and marketing program, which was launched in July 2020 following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic as an effort to encourage more people to purchase products produced in Ontario.