Jim Boniferro of Boniferro Mill Works

Jim Boniferro of Boniferro Mill Works today won the Skipper Manzzutti Award for Business, presented by the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce.

The following material was supplied to SooToday.com by the Chamber:

*************************** Skipper Manzzutti Award for Business Achievement

Named after one of the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce’s dedicated past presidents, Captain Feliciano "Skipper" Manzzutti, this award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated outstanding business achievement within the past year or number of years.

Like the individual to whom the award has been dedicated, the yearly recipient of the Skipper Manzzutti Award for Business Achievement possesses exemplary entrepreneurial and community-minded achievement.

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Congratulations to Jim Boniferro our 2003 Skipper Manzzutti Award recipient for Business Achievement.

In March 2003, upon the announcement of Domtar's decision to close it's hardwood sawmill in Sault Ste. Marie, Jim Boniferro stepped up to the plate to rescue the many jobs which would be in jeopardy and the ripple effects that it would make in the community.

He formed a new company known as Boniferro Mill Works and acquired the assets of Domtar's SSM hardwood sawmill plus entered into a 5 year agreement with Domtar to secure chip supply for its pulp and paper manufacturing operations.

These were very important accomplishments to the Sault's economy.

This acquisition also provided a guarantee for the many jobs that will come with the harvesting and processing of trees.

Sault Ste. Marie is recognized as a centre of excellence for forestry research and is a major hub for forestry products in Northern Ontario.

Sault Ste. Marie and the surrounding areas have developed stable forestry industry base, along with a competitive and knowledgeable forestry service sector.

The Chamber applauds Jim Boniferro for a rapid and smooth transfer of the sawmill licenses to Boniferro Mill Works that also included the wood supply from the Algoma, Wawa and North Shore Forests.

We are proud to have a new company that has added to the business base of our "Naturally Gifted" City.

These efforts are a testament that Jim Boniferro has committed himself to working hard, giving heart and soul to ensure that his company's success continues.

We salute Jim Boniferro and commend him for his entrepreneurial spirit in the community.

We recognize his demonstration of outstanding achievement in business and commitment to excellence in serving our community.

Congratulations Jim Boniferro!

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To read about other winners of this year's Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, please click here.