Made in Canada: Meet the entrepreneurs redefining food, manufacturing and technology

From raw honey to robotic arms, Canadian entrepreneurs are reshaping what innovation looks like in the food and manufacturing sectors. They’re using technology not just to grow, but to transform their industries – streamlining production, boosting sustainability, and building smarter, more resilient businesses.

Canada’s EY Entrepreneur Of The Year program, now in its 31st year, celebrates this next generation of business leadership. These visionaries are driving economic growth, building Made-in-Canada success stories and setting new standards for how companies operate and scale.

“Entrepreneurs are the backbone of the Canadian economy,” says Rachel Rodrigues, EY Canada Entrepreneur Of The Year Program Director. “This program not only spotlights their accomplishments, it also creates a community of innovators working across sustainability, technology and growth.”

From kettle chips to data-driven scaling

At Naturally Homegrown Foods in Surrey, B.C., technology plays a supporting role – but strategy, responsiveness and branding have driven growth. When Kirk Homenick took over in 2011, the business was struggling. Today, its Hardbite kettle chips and Poptastic popcorn are sold across North America and in nine other countries.

“We were very nimble, very responsive to our customers’ needs,” says Mr. Homenick.

A 2012 rebrand helped establish a distinctive market presence. “We’ve been able to carve out a loyal consumer base… even in a salty snack aisle where people often don’t plan their purchase.”

The company focuses on local sourcing and non-GMO verification. “Our values are about trust,” he adds. “That goes from internal communication with staff to what we share with our consumers.”

While artificial intelligence isn’t central, lean systems and adaptable processes have helped Naturally Homegrown scale globally. “This recognition reflects the hard work and loyalty of our team and customers who’ve helped us grow from local to international,” says Mr. Homenick.

Innovation from hive to bottle

For Gilbert Wolfe of Peace River Honey in northern Alberta, automation has transformed a teenager’s beekeeping hobby into one of Canada’s fastest-growing honey brands. His vertically integrated company now manages up to 5,000 hives and a 48,000-square-foot processing facility.

“We started in the granary,” he says. “Now we put through around 50,000 pounds of honey per day.”

Advanced processing lines allow the team to stay small and efficient. “Everything is palletized and very efficient. When we’re not extracting honey, we can do the work with just six people,” says Mr. Wolfe.

The company remains family-owned, with his children now leading the food manufacturing side. “Our brand is growing fast in Canada and getting great feedback in the U.S.,” he says.

On being named a finalist, Mr. Wolfe says, “We’re humbled and thrilled. It’s a real feather in our cap and motivates us to keep growing.”

Automation and agility in manufacturing

In Montreal, Que., Faspac Plastiks Inc. has emerged as a leader in flexible, high-performance packaging, but their road to success wasn’t linear.

“In 2017, we had a fire that destroyed 90 per cent of the company,” says co-founder Steven Polidoro. “That quick turnaround is what helped us stay alive.”

Within weeks, the company was back to 80-per-cent capacity. Since then, it has tripled its sales and shifted into sophisticated food-grade packaging. It’s also investing heavily in technology.

“We just went through a round of financing to bring in more efficient equipment,” Mr. Polidoro says. “That’ll allow us to double what we’re doing this year.”

Technology has also enabled Faspac to maintain its notable speed and customer responsiveness, which is an advantage in a competitive industry.

“We have a big company capacity with a small company relationship and agility,” adds managing director Valerie Audet-Nadon. “Clients get the best of both worlds.”

The company recently acquired the building next door and is preparing for the next generation of leadership. “There’s no limit,” says Ms. Audet-Nadon. “Whether it’s acquisition, expansion or vertical integration, we’re ready.”

Being named a finalist, says Mr. Polidoro, is “very rewarding and gratifying, something we don’t often stop to realize while we’re in the thick of building.”

AI at the centre of the shop floor

Cambridge, Ont.-based Ascension Automation Solutions, led by Andrew Morgan, uses AI and robotics to redefine manufacturing across agriculture, food processing and other sectors.

“We’re a tech company masquerading as a manufacturing company,” says Mr. Morgan. “We specialize in solving weird problems, things other integrators walk away from.”

That includes AI-powered machines that sort nuclear-contaminated laundry, robotic produce graders, and even a factory that builds smart homes.

“We’ve generated over 200 patentable opportunities,” says Mr. Morgan. “We’re filing 30 patents this year alone.”

Ascension employs over 160 people and brings on a new client nearly every two weeks. “We’ve built a strong team of experienced engineers and tenacious young talent,” he says. “Everyone’s excited about the work because we get to do the cool stuff.”

Being named a finalist, he adds, is a valuable milestone. “It’s huge for credibility, especially when we’re meeting with larger companies or launching new ventures like our affordable housing division. It helps open doors.”

Beyond innovation and growth, this year’s finalists share a common trait: resilience. They’ve overcome fires, market disruption and global supply chain challenges to scale, adapt and lead.

But many say they don’t fully realize the impact of their work until it’s reflected back through EY’s program.

“The journey is hard,” says Rodrigues. “You don’t always get a chance to stop and celebrate, so we want to give entrepreneurs that moment and a platform to keep going even further.”

Advertising feature produced by Globe Content Studio with Ernst & Young. The Globe’s editorial department was not involved.