Honoured by some of the world’s most prominent companies like General Motors and Ford, Pacific Insight’s CEO says the Nelson Chamber of Commerce award of Business of the Year stands out.
“It’s always an honour to be recognized within your peer group and community,” said Stuart Ross, one of the founding members of the company.
Pacific Insight has been a fixture alongside Highway 3A since 2001 but many people in the community may not still completely understand what goes on up on Insight Drive.
“A lot of people go by and probably wonder, what the heck goes on in there,” said Ross.
Pacific Insight designs and makes electronics products and full service solutions to the automotive, heavy truck and specialty markets across North America. Those products can be anything from heated steering wheel modules to new LED ambient lighting products to glove box illumination products to gauges for fire trucks.
Staying grounded in Nelson is an easy choice for Ross who loves the lake and the ski life. And being tucked away in the Kootenays doesn’t impact being profitable.
“We’re operating in an industry that’s traditionally reserved for larger companies but we’re niche oriented, nimble and responsive and continue to prosper as a result of that,” said Ross.
The publicly traded company’s second quarter results ending December 31, 2013 showed sales increased 28 per cent to $15.66 million over $12.23 million for the comparative quarter ending December 31, 2012.
With additional facilities in Michigan and Mexico, Nelson’s operation brings new money into the region and supports 205 employees who are “instrumental” to the business’s success.
“We’ve got a really good group of people,” said Ross. “I think it’s one of the best places to work in the community. We have a good rapport with people and treat people the way we would want to be treated ourselves.”