By Shinoah Young

Anderson Pump House to be inducted into ABEX Hall of Fame

Sep 25, 2013 | 8:37 AM

Anderson Pump House will be inducted into the Achievements in Business Excellence (ABEX) Hall of Fame during a gala event in Saskatoon next month.

The ABEX Awards were created by the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce to honour outstanding achievements by the businesses and business people in the province. According to the chamber, the Anderson Pump House’s founder, Howard Kirby, inspired and supported his drive to set out and build a business that has grown to be one of the best to work for and buy from.

“Howard Kirby personifies the Saskatchewan business person- committed to the communities he works in, dedicated to his staff, and possessing a personality that, even though he has seen great success, maintains modest and industrious,” said Steve McLellan, CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.

“Howard and the people of Anderson Pump House are very deserving inductees of the Business Hall of Fame. In fact, it’s even more fitting this year, as both the ABEX Awards and the business itself are celebrating 30 years this year,” said McLellan.

Kirby, the CEO of Anderson Pump House, founded his business in 1983.

Sandy Bay bust

Sandy Bay police seize crack, meth, knives, axes, baseball bat and cash

7m ago

Corrections

Union representing federal correctional officers says violence in the workplace on the rise

1h ago

LETTING IT OUT!

Ready to bloom: Poetry event in P.A. hopes to inspire youth to share their heart

1h ago

Initially a water and sewage system provider, the business’ focus has grown to include a wide range of water system products, now serving as a wholesale distributor for parts.

“What we’ve always strived to accomplish is number one, employee training is sort of a top priority at Anderson Pump House, as well as quality products and quality materials,” he said.

“As far as individual customers, we would have customers that extend from Lloydminster, across Sasktatchewan all the way to Hudson Bay,” said Kirby. “You know we probably have several thousand customers, you know, if we were to add everybody up.”

Anderson Pump House is also involved in the community, giving back $25,000 to $35,000 each year to provincial and local community charities.

Kirby’s family will be by his side as he accepts the ABEX Hall of Fame plaque at the awards gala at TCU Place in Saskatoon, Oct. 26. He credits his wife of 30 years, Sharon, his son Rod and their granddaughter as being a motivator for his success.

But the lessons he learned from his father were also key.

“I think one of the things that comes to mind is honesty and integrity. I grew up on a farm in southern Saskatchewan and one of the things that I think I got from my father was, you know, working hard and treating people with integrity and being honest.”

news@panow.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow