Ontario’s Clean Tech Sector Growing at Record Pace
Rags-to-Riches Richmond Hill Company Unveils Secrets to
Success in an Industry that’s Taking Off in Spite of Recession
June 19, 2009 · Markham · When Terry Mocherniak first started his clean technology business, he was living hand to mouth. It was 2001 and the market just wasn’t ready for his company’s first-of-its-kind smart lighting solution that saves companies both energy and money.
Eight years later, Richmond Hill-based Encelium Technologies – the company run by Mocherniak and his partners – is riding the wave of success in an industry that has now come of age, in spite of the economic recession. Today the company employs 53 people in three offices in Canada, the U.S. and Belgium, and has seen sales double each year in the last three years alone. With a customer list that includes such names as Disney, Google, SAP, Rogers Centre, BCE Place, Direct Energy Centre, Toronto General Hospital and the U.S. Postal Service, among many others, Mocherniak’s team predicts Encelium’s sales will far exceed $50 million in the next two to three years.
Mocherniak, Chief Operating Officer of Encelium Technologies, shared his company’s story and tips for success with other clean tech industry experts at the Clean Tech Gathering: A Networking Event for the Clean Tech Sector held at the Markham Civic Centre.
The Clean Tech Gathering event created by the Innovation Synergy Centre in Markham served as a springboard to sustained growth by providing insight into the needs and requirements of clean tech buyers, and updates on research and product development programs that can help finance companies’ next generation of clean tech products. Over 180 delegates were In attendance, which made it one of the largest events hosted by ISCM.
"The long-term objective is to help Ontario clean tech companies grow and compete globally, which in turn strengthens the economy, creates high-value jobs and helps meet growing demand for clean technology innovations," said Kevin Jones, President and CEO of Ontario Centre for Environmental Technology Advancement (OCETA), which helped to deliver the June 19th event in partnership with the ISCM and the Town of Markham.
"Markham is aggressively pursuing clean and green technology at all its facilities and partnering with residents and local business to further strengthen these efforts in our community", said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti who opened the event. "We’re thrilled that both levels of government and business are joining in this movement through progressive steps like the Emerging Technologies Fund, Green Energy Act and the Gas Tax Fund. These clean technology initiatives create jobs and support a new and emerging green economy."
