16 Jul 2020 Five Ws with the TIAs Sponsors: Finning
In the lead-up to the 2020 Technology Impact Awards, BC Tech is profiling all four of the event’s Platinum and Gold sponsors. These invaluable supporters enable our work in the community, and some of them have been with us since the start.
As well as being a 2020 finalist in the Excellence in Tech Adoption category, Vancouver-founded Finning is proud to continue their efforts of fostering tech and economic growth in B.C. by being a Gold Sponsor of the TIAs. “Finning has a deep history of supporting our communities,” shares David Bibby, Head of Global Digital Services at Finning International. “Being both a nominee and a sponsor of the TIAs really is a full-circle moment for us.”
Finning
Who: Founded in B.C. in 1933, Finning is the world’s largest Caterpillar dealer, with over 13,000 employees world-wide who deliver unparalleled service to customers in various industries, including mining, construction, petroleum, forestry and a wide range of power systems applications. “We may be more than 85 years old, but Finning knows digital technology,” explains David. “We’ve adopted technology in a variety of ways to help us better serve our customers, which is an integral part of our company culture. We hope that our continued sponsorship and support of the TIAs and investment in the B.C. tech economy not only creates more anchor companies here and more jobs, but shows other organizations that regardless of age or industry, you can adopt technology to help your organization grow, and it’s easier than you think.”
What: A long-time supporter and friend of BC Tech, Finning’s commitment to technology and the B.C. tech ecosystem is evident throughout their organization, industry partnerships and culture. “We continue supporting the TIAs and BC Tech not only because we love the community, but because of their work in supporting post-secondary institutions and STEM directed studies,” explains David.
“For today’s youth, STEM training is widely considered the best path to viable, challenging, and rewarding careers. At Finning, we support STEM education and job creation by partnering with non-profits such as Actua to encourage tech education at a young age. We love and appreciate that BC Tech sees the value in K-12 STEM education as well and supports students with scholarships and work opportunities in the field.”
When: Finning has a robust history of supporting its communities, and this philosophy of lending a helping hand during times of need is a core part of their corporate culture. “We believe in not only giving back to the communities we serve, but also investing in the future,” says Elisha McCallum, Director of Global Communications. “Part of why we sponsor the TIAs and have been a sponsor for several years, is because of the work they do to support innovation and job growth in the province. We want to be part of making B.C. the best place to grow and scale a tech company and help cultivate the talent we already have in the province.”
Where: Despite having a global presence, serving customers across the world with employees in head offices in Canada, the UK, Ireland, and South America, Finning’s roots are Canadian. “Despite our global presence, we’re very much a B.C.-based company, and we couldn’t be more proud to be part of the thriving and vibrant B.C. tech community here,” explains Elisha. “A great part of what the TIAs offer is the ability to witness smaller companies get the recognition they deserve, and as Finning continues to adopt technology to help us better serve our customers, there’s a real possibility that we might end up working with many of these great companies one day.”
Why: “We want to continue to see the tech community in B.C. grow. We want to bring more anchor companies to the province, and encourage economic growth and job creation,” explains David. “For us, it’s simple. We support the TIAs and BC Tech because we believe in what they do, and why they do it. In five to ten years, we’d like to see the province booming with tech talent and new innovation; and we’re excited to see these new companies receive recognition by BC Tech!”