President's Message

Dear Members;

With the Saskatchewan and Western Canadian economy in general doing exceedingly well, many of our Saskatchewan companies are experiencing boom times. Let’s hope they never stop, but having been involved in international business for nearly 20 years, I have seen the cycles of the upturns and downturns in domestic and international markets. I believe that exporters should use the current economic good times and resulting strengths within their businesses as the base to diversify and develop new markets. This is one way to best insulate their companies from the ups and downs that changing markets can present. STEP’s services are geared to help our members develop sustainable business in new markets, so we welcome our members to utilize these services in this regard.

We have recently introduced a new STEP service to our members which we call, STEP'ing Out. This is a business development service organized by STEP for individual STEP members whereby STEP essentially provides a business trip planning service, without STEP personnel being directly involved in the travel component of the trip. We work with the STEP member to choose a market, assist them in various aspects of the travel and business program, provide market intelligence and market contacts, and the exporter carries out the business trip suitable to his own timing. STEP’s efforts enable the member to focus on the sales of that company's own products or services.

STEP’s MI service has certainly been one of the most valued services offered by STEP since our inception. Over the years we have produced an estimated 3,000 customized MI reports for our members. To date, we have not placed a usage cap on this valued service for our members, but effective April 1, 2008 we will provide each member with 40 hours of market research time for their annual membership. If additional research is required beyond the 40 hours, STEP will still undertake the task at a member’s request, with a reasonable charge of $50.00/hour.

This certainly still provides tremendous value to our members as a typical report involves 10-14 hours of research time, so each member will still be entitled to 3-4 reports per year. In essence, each member receives $2000 of MI work with their membership along with our many other valued services.

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Boost Your Intelligence with STEP's MI Service

Do you agree that market intelligence (MI) is a necessary step in making strategic decisions, but do not have the resources to conduct market research on your own?

Let STEP's MI professionals help you.  By using STEP's MI service, you are able to concentrate on your business while we conduct the research on any market intelligence that you request.  The advantage is that you have solid MI research completed without having to devote hours of your own time to learning how and where to complete MI research.  The MI team at STEP has access to many premium databases and industry specific contacts that help to create an information-rich, useful report customized to your business needs.

When asked why she enjoys offering MI services to our members, Stacey Sauer, Market Intelligence Specialist in the Manufacturing sector, said, "I have the opportunity to work with a variety of Saskatchewan companies, learn about their products and services, and provide them with information to facilitate the decision making process.  Market Intelligence is only one aspect of the export development process, but I am proud to be a part of it as we continue to expand the presence of Saskatchewan companies and their products in the global marketplace."

Here is what current members have to say about our MI service:

"I think STEP and the MI group is exceptional and a perfect complement to our marketing group. Thanks to all of you for your dedication and professionalism!"
David Smith, President & CEO
Canada Training Group, Inc.

"This is fantastic and a great help to us, saved us thousands of dollars."
Lionel Ector, President
Stulor Farms Ltd.

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New Members Welcome!

STEP would like to welcome the following companies that have recently joined as Regular Members:

STEP Associate Members offer services that are helpful to our Regular Members in successfully exporting their products.  We would like to welcome our newest Associate Members.  Read on to see how these Associate Members can help you:

Business Mentorship Institute of Saskatchewan provides training for mentors and proteges.  The purpose of the training is to reinforce the value of the mentoring relationship; understand the mentorship chapter in their area; develop and practice skills needed to have a successful mentoring relationship; and assist the individuals to understand and have confidence in their roles. 

Concept Media works with business and organizations to create or improve publishing initiatives and overall marketing strategies.  They offer creative solutions to new and existing marketing and publishing ventures. 

Norampac operates 8 linerboard and corrugating medium mills and 26 box plants in Canada, the United States, and France. Those strategically located plants enable Norampac to serve the paper, food, wine and spirits, and numerous consumer products industries.  Norampac offers graphic-design services and a full range of papers in different basis weights and colors, specialty printing and high-definition and can respond to specific customer needs with high-quality products, no matter what the demand is.

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Members in the News

STEP Members are in the news on a regular basis for various successes from expansions to new products and initiatives to various awards.  Here are some of the stories over the last few months.

Bridgeview Manufacturing has hired skilled welders from Ukraine to overcome the shortage of tradespeople.

Robert and Alex Galarneau of Prairie Heritage Seeds received the 2007 Golden Sheaf Award.

HTC Purenergy is launching the world's first modular, portable carbon dioxide capture and storage system, which can be retrofitted onto existing power plants or any large industrial greenhouse gas emitter.

Harvard Developments along with the Nicor Group are investing over $5 million to restore and redevelop the historic Leader Building in Regina.  The building will contain office, retail, and luxury residential apartments.  Occupancy is scheduled to start in August 2008.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has granted Cameco Corp. a two year licence extension to continue overhauling its flooded Cigar Lake uranium mine in northern Saskatchewan.

Vincent Martin took over as President and CEO of Areva Resources Canada Inc. in January 2008.

Areva Resources Canada Inc. and its partners have decided to seek regulatory approval for the $400 million Midwest uranium mine in northern Saskatchewan and the company has also committed to a feasibility study for what would be the first-ever uranium mine in Nunavut. 

Ozonator Industries Ltd. has shipped their first OZONATOR NG-1000 unit to Union Hospital in Terre Haute, Indiana.

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Alanna Koch, DM - Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Appointed to STEP Board of Directors

Alanna was appointed Deputy Minister of Saskatchewan Agriculture, effective November 27, 2007. She previously served as President of the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA), an organization that advocates a more open and fair trading environment for agriculture and agri-food products. From 2003-2007, she served as a farmer director on the board of Agricore United. Prior to that she was Executive Director of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association for eight years; a director of the George Morris Centre at the University of Guelph; involved in the development of agricultural extension services in Atlantic Canada; a national judge for Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers’ program; and a committee member of Canadian Western Agribition.

She also served nine years with the Government of Saskatchewan in a number of senior positions. Alanna is a graduate of the Canadian Agriculture Lifetime Leadership (CALL) program. In recognition of her achievement in, and service to the agricultural industry, the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists awarded her an Honorary Life Membership in 1999. She recently received her Chartered Director (C.Dir.) designation from the Directors College, a program of the Conference Board of Canada and McMaster University’s Michael G. DeGroote School of Business.

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Don't Forget to Complete Your Member Survey

By now, you should have received the annual STEP Member Survey in the mail and this is a friendly reminder to fill out the survey and return it to us by February 22nd.  This survey plays a significant role in future planning for STEP and your input will be valuable in ensuring that you consistently benefit from STEP’s core services.  Thank you in advance!

Click here to access the survey online.

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Agri-Value Marketing Internship Program

Looking towards new markets?...How are you going to get there?...Have you thought about hiring a recent graduate?

The Agri-Value Marketing Internship Program is designed to assist Saskatchewan agri-value businesses in building their marketing capacity. This program can support your efforts by providing funding assistance to hire recent or current graduate students to work on marketing projects directed towards exporting activities into new markets outside of Saskatchewan.

The program provides:

Funding for this program is provided by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, which is committed to building our agri-value businesses and developing employment opportunities across the agri-food sector.

For more information or to receive an application, please click here or call (306) 787-4103.

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Trade Negotiations and Agreements -- What's New?

CANADA AND PERU CONCLUDE FTA NEGOTIATIONS

David Emerson, Minister of International Trade, announced the conclusion of free trade negotiations with Peru. Minister Emerson met with Mercedes Araoz Fernandez, Peruvian Minister of International Trade and Tourism, on the margins of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to mark this important milestone.  More...

CANADA SIGNS NEW TRADE DEAL WITH EFTA COUNTRIES

David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics signed, on behalf of Canada, an FTA between Canada and the States of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and bilateral Agreements on Agriculture with Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.  More...

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Take Your Product to a New Market by Sponsoring the Bridges to International Practice Competition

The University of Regina is looking for companies to participate in the Bridges to International Practice Competition.  The project allows students to develop an international marketing plan for the corporate sponsor's product based on the sponsor's mandate that is put forth at the beginning of the semester.  Student teams are asked to present before a jury made up of faculty and private sector judges and the winning team then gets the chance to travel to market with the company to further develop the strategy.  Past projects have focused on a variety of markets including the U.S., China, Australia, Ukraine, and Mexico.  If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for the Bridges to International Practice Competition, contact Sylvain Charlebois at 306-337-2695 or Sylvain.Charlebois@uregina.ca

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Did You Know?

Export Development Canada predicts that Saskatchewan will lead all Canadian provinces with  a commodity-driven 11.7% export growth in 2008.

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STEP Mission Calendar

EXPOAGRO ARGENTINA 2008 - Armstrong, Santa Fe Province, Argentina, March 5-8, 2008

STEP will lead a business development mission to Expoagro 2008 in Argentina. Expoagro is one of the largest agriculture equipment shows in Argentina and South America. With over 30 million hectares under cultivation, an annual production in excess of 80 million tons, and soybean, corn and wheat comprising approximately 80% of the crops grown, not to mention the livestock production industry, this market warrants a closer look by companies that manufacture technology and products for the agriculture industry. This mission offers the opportunity to participate in the trade show as either a co-exhibitor with STEP or a international visitor. As well, STEP will organize a series of farm and manufacturing facility visits and the opportunity for one-on-one meetings for STEP members to learn more about the market and develop their business contacts. In conjunction with this mission, STEP will lead a business program in the equipment manufacturing sector in Brazil.

Call or email Brenda Hawryluk for more information.

GLOBE 2008 - Vancouver, March 12-14, 2008

GLOBE 2008 will bring together government decision makers, corporate executives, and environmental technology innovators from around the world to discuss current trends and showcase technology solutions to the world's environmental problems.  STEP's Technology & Professional Services team will lead a Saskatchewan mission of STEP members to this event. On this business development mission, STEP plans to organize a group display at the show, arrange meetings with buyers, and represent non-attending members.

Call  or email Nataliya Pasichnyk for more information or to register.

NATURAL PRODUCTS EXPO WEST 2008 - Anaheim, California, March 13 - 16, 2008

Natural Products Expo West, the largest natural and organic trade show, brings you a World of Goods – thousands of new products, cutting-edge trends, engaging speakers, informative seminars and endless networking opportunities. Get face-to- face with more than 2,800 exhibitors, sample tons of new products and explore new ideas and information, all designed to help you get ahead.

Call or email Jill McDonald for more information.

NATIONAL BUYER SELLER FORUM - Edmonton, March 25-27, 2008

STEP will participate once again in the National Buyer/Seller Forum 2008, which will showcase oil sands development procurement opportunities and solutions. Over 800 individuals attended the 2007 show and more are expected to attend this year, including oil sands developers, "Tier One" suppliers, key procurement personnel and others. The Forum includes a National Sellers Showcase profiling Canadian manufacturers and providing the opportunity for one-on-one meetings.

For further information about STEP's involvement at the show, contact Rob Ziola or Brenda Hawryluk.

STEP will recruit member companies to participate in a trade mission to the CTIA Wireless Show CTIA Wireless is the world’s largest convergence marketplace with tens of thousands of attendees, over 400,000 square feet of exhibits, 20% international participation from over 100 countries, and represents a $500 billion global industry with 2.3 billion subscribers worldwide.  STEP plans to organize a business development mission that will involve a group display at the show, arrange meetings with buyers, and represent non-attending members. 

Contact Guy Hughes for more information.

SIAL MONTREAL - Montreal, Quebec - April 23-25, 2008

STEP will recruit member companies to participate in a trade misison to SIAL Montreal, one of the premier international food exhibitions taking place in Canada. 

Contact Jill McDonald for more information. 

ALL THINGS ORGANIC - Chicago, Illinois - April 26-29, 2008

STEP will recruit member companies to participate in a trade mission to All Things Organic.  This is the only show in the US exclusively dedicated to certified organic products from a wide range of categories. 

For more information contact Jill McDonald.

NAMPO Harvest Day- Bothaville, South Africa - May 13-16, 2008

This show is one of the largest privately organized and owned exhibitions in the world and the largest show of agricultural machinery and livestock in the southern hemisphere.  It provides a unique opportunity to all manufacturers and distributors of agricultural machinery, products and services to exhibit, as well as demonstrates their vast range of products to their targeted customers - the farmers of South Africa.

Contact Tim Marshall for more information.

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FITTskills Training

FITTskills is the only accredited international trade training program in Canada to lead to a professional designation, the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) designation.  It offers something for everyone whether you are new to exporting or a seasoned international trade professional.  Below are the upcoming FITTskills training sessions available in Regina and Saskatoon.

International Trade Research
April 12-13, 2008, Regina
(Registration deadline: March 10, 2008)

International Trade Finance
April 26-27, 2008, Regina
(Registration deadline: March 27, 2008)

International Marketing
May 3-4, 2008, Saskatoon
(Registration deadline: April 4th)

Global Business Environment
May 3-4, 2008, Regina
(Registration deadline: April 4, 2008)

For further information on FITTskills training, contact Jeff Thackeray.

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Upcoming Events

ORGANICS AND NATURAL PRODUCTS BOOT CAMP
February 27, 2008 

STEP, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and Western Economic Diversification presents the Organics and Natural Products Boot Camp, which will provide participants with the knowledge and tools to successfully manage the sales function of their organic/natural food business with a special emphasis on developing export markets in the USA.  Registration deadline: February 21, 2008.

Contact Jeff Thackeray for more information or to register.

WEARING CHINESE GLASSES: HOW NOT TO GO BROKE IN CHINESE ASIA
March 18, 2008, Regina
March 19, 2008, Saskatoon

This is an excellent opportunity to learn cultural and business insight for doing business in China.

For more information, contact Pat Chobot

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAYS 2008
Competing and Succeeding in the Global Marketplace
May 20-22, 2008
Hyatt Regency Vancouver Hotel, Vancouver, B.C.
www.cme-mec.ca/idd 

16th ANNUAL CANADIAN AWARDS FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION(CAIC)
Deadline for Applications:  April 15, 2008
www.cme-mec.ca/caic