The Future
Although PRT has accomplished a great deal in its 10-year history, it shows no signs of slowing down as it moves into its next decade.
PRT's 10th nursery will be built in Dryden, Ontario during the summer and fall of 1998. Production is planned to commence in January of 1999 under the management of Mike Wood. Due to the current state of forest nursery technology in Ontario, significant opportunities for expansion should be available to PRT in that province. The government has, only recently, turned over the responsibility for reforestation to the forest companies. Government nurseries have been closed or are being privatized. As a result of the privatization of the reforestation responsibility in Ontario, PRT foresees an almost complete abandonment of field-grown bareroot and transplant stock in favor of container stock, and an expectation of improved product quality and service. This represents an opportunity for PRT.
Artist's rendition of PRT Dryden which is currently being built. Production is planned to commence in January 1999.
The company hopes to make significant advancement with the somatic embryogenesis project. Dr. Yousry El-Kassaby, an eminent forest geneticist, was recently appointed as Director, Research and Product Development for PRT Management Inc. His primary responsibility initially will be to collaborate with Dr. Stephen Attree in the development of a reliable delivery system for the somatic embryos and to assist clients with forest genetics, seed orchard, and plantation establishment and management issues. He will also help with the marketing of SE.
Management is investigating other potential areas of expansion, including increasing the company's market share in the United States. But no matter how much the company grows, and no matter what other business areas the company explores, PRT managers and staff will continue to work with their industry partners to produce high quality forest seedlings that will result in some of the best forest plantations in the world.
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 Now that PRT has gone public and has diversified production in other provinces, the risks are better managed. With the drive and leadership of Ev, coupled with the professional and business knowledge of Chris and the trustees, supported by the operational know-how of John and, not to forget, the knowledge, skills and enthusiasm of the people in the operations, PRT's future looks bright.
Bruce Devitt
Director, PRT Management Inc.
For PRT itself, I think we'll be a much larger company than we are today. My mandate from the Board in the strategic plan, which was approved last fall, is to double the size of the company in the next five years. I think we'll accomplish the increase largely through acquisitions, but we may also do some building as we are presently starting to do in Dryden, Ontario. I think that a lot of that expansion will happen outside of British Columbia, both in Canada and the U.S. The markets and requirements both for numbers and quality in some of the other provinces are still growing, where in B.C. the demand is not increasing significantly. That's not to say that we won't look at opportunities here that come up. And there are some.
Ev Van Eerden
President, PRT and
PRT Management Inc.
It has been a pleasure and a privilege for the lawyers of Davis & Company to have been associated with PRT since its inception -- to have participated in the development of a vision into a thriving and important business. It has been especially rewarding to have worked side by side with the wonderful people at PRT whose talent and commitment have created the PRT success story and whose warmth and humor make PRT a special and valued client. We congratulate PRT on its 10th anniversary, on its expansion to 10 nurseries and 100 million seedlings, and look forward to its future successes.
Davis & Company
In five years I think we'll double our revenues. We'll be in Ontario and probably Manitoba and be solidly entrenched in the U.S. market, at least in the Pacific Northwest. Probably add another 10 nurseries. I think we'll see that our embryogenesis technology will become successful in the next five to 10 years. There is a lot of work to be done there and a lot of money to be spent developing it, but I think that the way the world's going, clearly the trend is to get more from less, and somatic embryogenesis will help forestry companies achieve that end.
Chris Worthy
Vice-Chairman, PRT Management Inc.
and a Director of PRT
I've enjoyed working for PRT. It's been exciting and full of challenges and full of changes. In the next 10 years, I don't see how it's going to be much different.
Reg Renner
Production Superintendent
PRT Reid Collins
Conscious of the past, working in the present, and looking to the future: that's what leadership is all about.
Charlie Johnson
Chairman, PRT Management Inc.
PRT, growing the future. Management and employees working together with our customers to meet their needs and expectations -- altogether is a better approach. Our employees are ready and able to take on the challenges of the future.
Ev Van Eerden |