Chair's Greeting

Shawn Levangie
Chair, CME Nova Scotia

I would like to start by telling you a little bit about Trail Blazer Products.  We have grown a company from distributing in local markets to distributing in over 40 countries.  While most of our attention was spent on sales, finding customers who wanted our Nova Scotian made products, we quickly learned that sustainable growth meant we needed to become more efficient in order to remain viable. Thanks to CME, Trail Blazer Products became more competitive by applying Lean Principles and growing a team of internal lean champions to support and lead initiatives to achieve continuous improvement & growth.

While we continue to grow, we have been able to keep our main focus on improving profitability through further adaptation of lean principles. CME helps facilitate that process through the many programs and initiatives tailored to manufacturers and exporters.  We also appreciate the advocating efforts that CME provides for all industry in Nova Scotia. CME is my voice to ensure government hears and understands what business needs in order to be competitive in a global environment. For example, CME spurred government to act on mitigating the adverse consequences of Buy American. They provide special events focused on our people and skills to improve our energy usage and the environment. These challenges are their priorities and will not only improve the environment; their efforts also provide a little extra bonus in our profitability. 

Our initial involvement was to become more efficient, but quickly realized all the benefits of membership focus on building a more profitable business environment. For example, CME gathers relevant and timely information for their membership that can be used to help solve the many challenges that Nova Scotian businesses face. CME strengthens leadership through best practices and leveraging networks for business success. CME focuses on the issues that are most critical to all of us, which we may not address without their support. CME has made a difference in Canadian manufacturing and provided support to our exporting communities. 

I am very proud to be your incoming Chair and look forward to giving you my time and continue the great assistance CME is providing.  I look forward to building upon Dorothy and Ann’s vision of a more prosperous Nova Scotian economy by providing crucial support to the manufacturing and exporting sectors. Together we can continue to build a more competitive business environment and achieve growth for all Nova Scotians.

All The Best,

Shawn Levangie