International markets provide the challenge; Letts has built Continuous Mining Systems from the ground up.

• Position: Executive of the Year awardee Dale Letts - Northern Ontario Business Awards - Company Profile

Dale Letts is devoted to the challenge of expanding export markets for Canadian mining equipment.

It was because of this devotion that Inco Ltd. offered Letts the opportunity to start Continuous Mining Systems Ltd. (CMS) in 1984. It is also one reason why Letts has been named Executive of Year.

Our judges selected Letts to receive the award, sponsored by Air Ontario, because the executive has global vision and a proven track record of making money, creating jobs and maintaining good employee relations.

Since Letts launched Continuous Mining Systems in October 1984, the firm has grown from a one-man operation to a $40-million manufacturing firm with an international reputation. The Sudbury company's sales have increased by 35 per cent each year.

In addition, Continuous Mining Systems acquired LHD Equipment of North Bay in 1989 and John Clark Inc. (JCI) of Denver, Colorado in 1990.

LHD Equipment employs 70 people and manufactures hydraulic cylinders and components for sales in North and South America.

JCI manufactures mining scoop trams and trucks for use in underground mining operations in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Peru and Australia.

In all, Continuous Mining Systems and its two subsidiaries employ about 300 people in Sudbury, North Bay and Denver.

Letts, a native of North Bay, began his career with Jarvis-Clark, a prominent Canadian heavy-equipment manufacturer.

Letts spent 13 years with Jarvis Clark, including five as vice-president, before moving to Sudbury to help start the Ontario Centre of Resource Machinery Technology. It was in this position that he became involved in the CMS venture.

In the early stages of the business, Letts concentrated on product design and domestic sales, but with the success of the company he has been able to turn most of his attention to international sales.

"I think that is what I enjoy the most, seeing an industry built in Northern Ontario and watching it expand across the world," he says. "A Canadian company competing with the...