When you build a global reputation as one of the best in the business, you don’t want to tamper with success. At the same time, you do want to keep doing what got you there – innovating, creating a quality product, and establishing a team that supports your vision.
It’s a philosophy that has served the Wetaskiwin-based Supreme International well for 70 years.
Established in 1952 as Alberta Engineering before becoming Alteen Distributors 20 years later, the transition to Supreme International came in 1992. Recognized for its vertical feed mixers for the dairy and cattle industries, over the years the company has also introduced many new products to the North American market.
“I think the original design has been refined over the years but Supreme has created a really strong brand in the industry as the best vertical feed mixer on the market,” explains Robert Maze, CEO of the Supreme International.
Supported by a truck mount assembly facility and a parts distribution warehouse in Kansas, the 250,000-sq.feet, state-of-the-art factory in Wetaskiwin sits on 33 acres and employs more than 100 people across a range of trades.
Access to those skilled employees – including many who have been with the company for decades or more – is one of the key features that makes Wetaskiwin an ideal location for the Supreme International, Maze notes.
“The labour force from the surrounding area is vital to the company’s success, and we appreciate the low turnover of staff. We have a lot of team members who have been with us for 20 years or more.”
Beyond the accessible local labour force, features like the nearby airport and extensive highway network offer easy access to markets and suppliers in the US and across Canada, making Wetaskiwin a solid location for business and industry, bolstered by the City’s support for local business and the opportunities for growth.
“I think because it’s an agricultural-based product, Wetaskiwin’s background in agriculture is also a key element,” Maze says.
This business profile is the second in a series from Wetaskiwin’s Economic Development office. To learn more about initiatives to grow local business and industry, visit wetaskiwin.ca/831/Invest-Wetaskiwin
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