In 1890, John Ward launched a small sawmill to serve his fellow farmers in the North Country. 126 years later, the fourth generation of the Ward family is still at the helm, serving upstate New York and beyond.

KWS Manufacturing Company Ltd. is a leader in the design and manufacture of conveying equipment for the bulk material handling industry. The company has established itself as a one-stop-shop that provides end-to-end engineered solutions. KWS brings value to clients from a broad range of industries by providing products of the highest quality that are backed by exceptional customer service.

During its more than fifty years in the plastics industry, Productive Plastics has become a contract plastics manufacturer of choice for customers across many industries. Productive Plastics has continued to innovate to find new ways to add value for its clients, increase efficiency in its operations and maximize the quality of its production.

Diversification is the key to longevity in the world of business. By adapting to market trends and exploring alternative products and services, a company gives itself the greatest chance of survival…

In the field of construction, proper acoustic design is just as important as the foundation upon which the structure rests. For over sixty years, the team at Valcoustics Canada Ltd. has provided professional acoustical engineering consulting services to builders, developers, planners, architects, governments, the legal profession and many others.

With a history stretching back to the 1950s, Modern Transportation has earned its reputation as a carrier of choice. The Pennsylvania-based business cut its teeth on dry bulk jobs, expanding the company to include two dozen terminals and a fleet of trucks that traverse more than 30 states.

Award-winning Andrie Inc. is the Midwest’s premiere marine transport and specialized marine solutions company. From its headquarters in Muskegon, Michigan, Andrie Inc. serves customers from local to international.

With 700 tractors and 1,000 trailers crisscrossing North American roads, Indian River Transport Co. is one of the nation’s largest food grade carriers. The Winter Haven, Florida based business specializes in hauling food grade liquids, primarily fruit juices and dairy products.

Magney Construction’s primary focus is on the construction of high-quality water and wastewater treatment facilities. It takes on work throughout Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Montana and will occasionally perform maintenance and service work for private companies with which there is a pre-existing relationship.

Since the 1940s, Minnesota general contractor Watson-Forsberg has established a strong reputation for project success and a commitment to a better future while operating on budget, on time and in compliance with regulatory and client expectations. Known as a contractor with a focus on quality, safety, sustainability and integrity, Watson-Forsberg has created a legacy in the markets and communities in which it serves.

One common refrain from today’s construction companies is that there is a serious lack of skilled talent. As the economy emerges from the recession, business is coming in, but it is growing increasingly difficult to find a labor force to fill the need…

Minneapolis-based Kraus-Anderson Construction is a respected commercial contractor. It works on over 300 projects per year, making it amongst the largest locally owned and operated construction companies in Minnesota.

MG McGrath fabricates and installs architectural surfaces on some of the most distinctive new industrial and commercial buildings. Its unique exteriors and architectural sheet metal can be seen on some of the most recognizable buildings in the Twin Cities. Business in Focus spoke with MG McGrath President Mike P. McGrath of this Maplewood, Minnesota-based company.

Integrated Facility Services (IFS) — formerly Air Masters, Gateway Mechanical Fire Protection and Automation Solutions Group — delivers a single-point resource for mechanical contracting and service. The St. Louis, Missouri, based business specializes in HVAC, plumbing, building automation controls, and fire protection.

As an industry leading, multi-disciplinary environmental planning, integrated landscape architecture, and design firm, LANDinc has grown significantly since its inception. The firm began as a small landscape architecture practice in 1999, launched by Patrick Morello, and has evolved into a progressive, highly innovative firm with a comprehensive portfolio and diverse project experience.

Trinity Maintenance Solutions Ltd. has helped countless customers across Atlantic Canada by providing unique and highly efficient energy efficiency services and solutions since 2006. The company is known for its professional, reasonably-priced services and friendly customer service and serves a range of clients in residential, industrial and commercial sectors.

Elias Woodwork has been manufacturing cabinetry and millwork components since 1983. The Winkler, Manitoba based business supplies products for a wide range of industries, with a specialization in the kitchen sector.

In the past thirty years, Benchmark Developments has grown from one to ten employees, with a team of others in construction and building maintenance. Together, this group of companies owns and manages numerous residential units, several residential subdivisions and thousands of square feet of commercial space throughout Nova Scotia, serving as both a tight-knit family and a good steward of positive community development.