Vancouver, BC (May 10, 2023) – The Universal Group (“UG”) is proud to announce that it has been recognized for its industry-leading performance, global business practices, and sustained growth by receiving a prestigious 2023 Canada’s Best Managed Companies award. The Universal Group, which has been in business for over 20 years, is the largest traffic management and control services provider in Canada.
“The 2023 Best Managed winners exemplify the highest Canadian business standards of innovation, adaptability, and resilience,” said Lorrie King, Partner, Deloitte Private and Co-Leader, Canada’s Best Managed Companies program. “Over the past year, companies such as The Universal Group have accelerated their growth by continuously adapting and successfully responding to challenges, seizing new opportunities, leveraging industry leading competencies to maximize their investments, and driving sustainable results.”
Canada’s Best Managed Companies remains one of the country’s leading business awards programs recognizing Canadian-owned and managed companies for innovative, world-class business practices. Every year, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies compete for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates the calibre of their management abilities and practices. The Universal Group is honoured to be among the 30 new members across the nation recognized by this esteemed distinction.
“We are thrilled to be named as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies,” said Michael Menzies, CEO of The Universal Group. “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our employees, who have helped us achieve our goals and maintain our position as a leader in the industry. We look forward to continuing to deliver exceptional services and advancing our purpose of “providing peace of mind” to our employees and clients. I want to thank the Best Managed Companies’ judges, coaches, and sponsors for this award.”
The Universal Group continues to grow organically and through an aggressive acquisition strategy, acquiring nine companies just over three years, including its first acquisition in the U.S. UG is actively pursuing opportunities to acquire traffic control businesses that have entrepreneurial cultures that fit well with its purpose and core values. Their success can be attributed to its commitment to safety, quality, and customer service. The company offers a wide range of traffic control services, including traffic management planning, traffic control equipment, traffic control personnel and traffic sign manufacturing. The Universal Group serves clients in various industries, including municipalities, utilities, construction, infrastructure projects, and special events.
“Even in the face of rapidly evolving business and economic landscapes at home and globally, companies such as The Universal Group continue to respond with innovation and adaptability by transforming and pivoting their offers to meet changing market demands and lead the way forward,” said Blair Cowan, Executive Vice-President, CIBC.
Applicants are evaluated by an independent panel of judges with representation from program sponsors and special guests. The 2023 cohort of Best Managed companies shares common themes such as having a people centric culture, targeting effective ESG strategies, and accelerating operational digitization.
The Best Managed program is sponsored by Deloitte Private, CIBC, The Globe and Mail, Salesforce, and TMX Group.
About Canada’s Best Managed Companies
Canada’s Best Managed Companies continues to be the mark of excellence for Canadian-owned and managed companies. 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 four levels: 1) Canada’s Best Managed Companies new winner (one of the new winners selected each year); 2) Canada’s Best Managed Companies 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 4 6 consecutive years); 4) Platinum Club member (winners that have maintained their Best Managed status for seven years or more). Program sponsors are Deloitte Private, CIBC, The Globe and Mail, Salesforce and TMX Group. For more information, visit www.bestmanagedcompanies.ca.
About The Universal Group
The Universal Group is the largest traffic management and control services provider in Canada with over 2000 employees. Universal provides traffic control personnel, lane closure services, traffic control equipment, traffic management plans, sign manufacturing and other services. The company is headquartered in Langley, British Columbia with locations across British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Québec and Washington State. For more information, visit www.theuniversalgroup.ca.