Turning 18 usually calls for a celebration, and for employees at the Skyline Group of Companies’ head office in Guelph, ON, that celebration came in the form of a special version of their monthly catered “bun lunch,” at which more than 120 staff (“Skyliners”) break bread with their managers and the company’s owners.
Monthly company lunches are just one of the elements that feed Skyline’s unique corporate culture, which was a pivotal factor in its recent designation as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for the third year in a row. The Best Managed program, now in its 24th year, also applauded the Guelph-based investment management company for its sustainable growth, financial performance, and management practices.
“We’re very proud to represent business in Guelph by being honoured as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies,” said Jason Castellan, Skyline’s CEO and one of its three founders.
“Being recognized as a Best Managed Company—and any other recognition we may receive—is incredibly valuable to us. We’re looking forward to a bright 2017 where we push forward with innovation, but continue to keep the same business fundamentals and values that make the Skyline way of doing business so distinct.”
Skyline’s penchant for innovation is certainly pushing forward in 2017, as the wealth management arm of its business continues to move down the path toward offering additional investment products and unique services beyond the three private real estate portfolios (REITs) upon which the company was built. Together, these portfolios are now holding nearly $3 billion in assets across Canada, and are servicing thousands of investors—many of them local. Skyline has also moved into the green energy sector, partnering with start-up venture Anvil Crawler Development Corporation to manufacture unique energy-saving solutions, some of which have the potential to take homeowners, or entire communities, “off the grid” entirely.
“To stay relevant, we always have to look at evolving our business, and how we can add value for our clients: whether it’s the people who live in our buildings, our investors, or people who want their energy to come from a cleaner, greener source,” said Castellan. “Skyline has evolved significantly over the past 18 years, and we’re going to keep evolving in bigger and better ways. The industry recognition from programs like Canada’s Best Managed Companies gives us that much more ‘push’ and incentive to improve ourselves.”
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 four levels: 1) Best Managed winner (one of the new winners selected each year); 2) Requalified member (repeat winners retain the 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 reapplied for the designation. Companies may requalify for two additional years, subject to annual operational and financial review); 4) Platinum Club member (winners that maintain Best Managed status for a minimum of six consecutive years). Program sponsors are Deloitte, CIBC, National Post, Queen’s School of Business and MacKay CEO Forums. For further information, visit www.bestmanagedcompanies.ca.