VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Keirton Inc. (“Keirton”), a global leader in engineering solutions that streamline commercial cannabis and hemp cultivation, today announced that it has been named one of Canada’s Top Small & Medium Employers for 2021. The designation, which is managed by the Globe and Mail, recognizes small and medium enterprises (SME) that offer the nation’s best workplaces and forward-thinking human resources policies.
Canada’s cannabis industry is projected to reach roughly $4 billion in 2021. Technology innovation has been especially critical to the industry over the last year, drumming up demand for highly skilled engineers to help create the machinery that cannabis producers need to keep up with the fast-growing sector. As a leader in cannabis processing technology, Keirton experienced an uptick in demand for its engineering products, and also saw zero layoffs over the last year. Instead, the company is planning to move into a new office space later this year to accommodate a rapidly growing team.
“Keirton’s first office was a portable unit next to the Fraser River, which came with its own share of obstacles. Overcoming floods, and other challenges that come with being a new business, taught us the value of teamwork – especially in those early days. 10 years later, we’re extremely proud to be recognized as a top employer in Canada, and to be in the company of so many great organizations,” said Jay Evans, CEO of Keirton. “No one could have anticipated the abrupt transition to remote work last year, and we’re grateful to have had the means to support our team. Banding together, in the face of unforeseen challenges, and continuing to reach for that higher ground is embedded in our DNA. It’s the reason why our team has been able to emerge just as productive, engaged, and driven. This award speaks to our commitment to supporting the wellness of our team, and helping them grow by providing an innovative, people-first workplace that they’re excited to show up to. As we look ahead to our continued global expansion, I couldn’t be more proud of our team and the places they’ll take us.”
Keirton operates at the intersection of highly technical and emerging industries, investing in AI and machine-learning technology to automate global cannabis production and cultivation, while addressing the industry’s major pain points: quality, consistency, and safety. To stay ahead of its competition, the company allocates significant training budgets to upskill staff and expand their capabilities in key priority areas, including engineering and leadership. Keirton’s Twister Trimmer is currently the industry’s top performing and most popular commercial cannabis and hemp trimmer.
Initiatives around employee mental health and wellness, and corporate social responsibility, have also been key company priorities. Keirton’s ‘Journey to Success’ program encourages employees to practice goal-setting and enables career progression within the company. Keirton is also a partner of the Canadian Mental Health Association’s ‘Not Myself Today’ program, which helps employers build mentally healthy workplaces and workforces by reducing the stigma attached to mental health, and fostering safe and supportive work environments.
Canada’s Top Small & Medium Employers celebrates companies that lead their industries in exceptional workplaces. The selection process is evaluated by editors who consider Physical Workplace, Work Atmosphere & Social, Health, Financial & Family Benefits, Vacation & Time Off, Employee Communications, Performance Management, Training & Skills Development, and Community Involvement.
The full list of Canada's Top Small & Medium Employers for 2021 were announced this morning in a special magazine featured in the Globe and Mail. You can also view the full list online, here.
About Keirton Inc.
Founded in 2007 out of Surrey, British Columbia, Keirton is the most respected name in solution engineering for commercial cannabis cultivation. The company creates custom engineered equipment for 80% of the cannabis industry’s leading legal cannabis producers across over 30 countries, including the development and product design of high volume leaf trimmers, bucking machines and drying racks, to process an estimated 3 million kilograms of cannabis each year. Keirton continues to evolve alongside the North American cannabis industry as it scales, and regularly works with ancillary organizations in the hemp and hops industries. For more information, visit http://keirton.com.
