• The Original Maple Bat Corporation

• Kartplex Racing Corporation
  
  
• Penner Fine Jewellers
  
  
• Simply Ejibola
  
  
• Ex-Sell Aero Parts
  
  
• Promenaid

• Mike's Bike Shop
  
  
• Heron Instruments

The Original Maple Bat Corporation
Carleton Place, ON

Operating out of their workshop in Carleton Place, ON, the Original Maple Bat Corporation supply their iconic Sam Bat to players, teams, and stores worldwide. Their story begins in 1996, when a professional baseball scout asked founder Sam Holman to find a solution to a surge in broken bats. Sam set about crafting his first bat out of a maple stair banister and the Sam Bat was born. 

These days, you can find the Sam Bat anywhere baseball is played: “Shipping has enabled us to compete as a small manufacturer in an incredibly competitive market.” 

Players like Barry Bonds, Joe Bautista, and Miguel Cabrera have put their trust in the craftsmanship of a Sam Bat, with 15 MVPs and 5 Rookies of the Year choosing to wield what Sports Illustrated dubbed “The 21st Century Excalibur.” Not bad for a business that started out in a garage in Canada. 

Kartplex Racing Corporation
Okanagan Valley, BC

Nestled in the Okanagan Valley, BC, family-run karting facility Kartplex offers exhilarating racing experiences to visitors of all ages. Based out of a state-of-the-art facility designed by Canadian racing champion Jacque Villeneuve, Kartplex ships a wide variety of parts and karting equipment to customers all over the country.

As they approach their 5-year anniversary, the team has an innovative plan for the $10,000 cash prize: “We are launching an exciting track and kids program called ‘light the spark’ with our new fleet of electric karts!”

Penner Fine Jewellers
St. Catharines, ON

Since 1970, Penner Fine Jewellers has specialized in custom made jewellery, offering in-depth consultations to help customers create bespoke pieces they’ll treasure forever. The store began as a small family business and has maintained close ties to the Niagara region. Repairs, appraisals, and selling jewellery in gold and silver ensures every piece is unique and perfectly tailored to the customer's vision.

Penner Fine Jewellers’ reputation has allowed them to grow over the years, earning customers throughout Ontario, across Canada, and into the US: “We pride ourselves on quality craftsmanship which is why customers in Canada and abroad continue to shop with us.”

Simply Ejibola
Grande Prairie, AB

Led by a first-generation female entrepreneur, Simply Ejibola is a quintessential Canadian success story: “Coming from an African family, all you’d hear is ‘Go to university! Be a banker!’” says owner Ejibola Adetokunbo-Taiwo. But after several years working in banking, she decided to start her own business. 

Based out of Alberta, Simply Ejibola provides unique stationery that gives customers the tools to stay organized and express themselves: “It’s all about creating hope, passion, and imagination.”

Promenaid
Dorval, QC

Promenaid’s goal is to make homes and businesses more accessible for people with mobility issues. From their facility on the outskirts of Montreal, the company manufactures easy to install code-compliant handrails, catering to a mix of architects, contractors, and consumers.

As Promenaid takes on bigger projects, including hospitals and airports, they plan to use their #BackingSmall cash prize to invest in new innovations. The team views shipping as a vital tool to meet the challenges ahead: “Quick and reliable shipping isn’t a goal in 2024, it’s a baseline for companies dealing directly with consumers.”

YouAreSpecial.com
Aurora, ON

YouAreSpecial.com provides dual-language books for children from multicultural backgrounds. Based in Aurora, Ontario, this family-run business is beloved by schools, libraries, and parents for offering a wide selection of books in over 75 languages. 

Keen to expand their offering with additional titles in more languages, they rely on shipping to get their products into the hands of young readers all over Canada and North America: “We want to make sure our books reach the readers as soon as possible. FedEx has been a great partner in helping us deliver across North America.”

Zilux
Quebec City, QC

Zilux designs and manufactures a range of bespoke street furniture and lighting. From their headquarters in Quebec City, the company works with urban designers and landscape architects across Canada and the U.S.: “Freight shipping is essential for the growth of the company and is helping to deliver our products to new customers.”

Using advanced digital printing techniques, the business provides LED powered lighting for parks, streets, and urban spaces of all kinds: “Our product is quite unique because of its architectural beauty and simple installation.” With plans underway for new equipment and innovations, Zilux aims to keep investing in bright ideas for years to come.

Mike's Bike Shop
Dieppe, NB

Born out of a lifelong love of cycling, Mike’s Bike Shop is a locally owned and operated bicycle sales and repair shop in Dieppe, New Brunswick. Well-known among cyclists across the Maritimes, the company has earned recognition as one of North America's Best Bike Shops. Their e-commerce business has expanded in recent years, with shipping crucial to their success: “We’ve learned how important things like timely pick-ups and consistent deliveries are.”

The shop is staffed by a dedicated team of bike enthusiasts, giving it a family-like atmosphere. Owner Rick Snyder plans to use their $5,000 prize to enhance the work environment for his team: “We’re going to invest in making our workplace better for the entire staff.”

Heron Instruments
Dundas, Ontario

Heron Instruments manufactures water level monitoring equipment for water management experts worldwide. What does this mean? For instance, a hydrogeologist might use their data loggers to track groundwater levels, aiding communities in sustainably managing their water resources. Starting with just two employees in 1995, Heron Instruments has grown into a global business over nearly 30 years and now relies on FedEx for fast shipping: “Our customers love getting their orders quickly.” 

While the business has come a long way since the early days, they’re still eager to recognize the people who continue to make Heron Instruments a success: “We wouldn’t be where we are today without our amazing team and will use the $5,000 prize to celebrate them.”