Ogivar Technologies, the national computer company which develops and produces a complete line of micro-computers is one of Canada's fastest growing corporations,—the epitome of a true business success story.
The company was founded in 1983 by three young graduates of a Montreal, Quebec, high-technology institute. Soon after graduation, these three entrepreneurs combined their respective expertise, designed their own machine and started production with a modest investment of $15,000. Today, Ogivar is a publicly owned firm with revenues approaching $100 million and directly employing over 150 people throughout Canada. Two of the original founders, Jaime Benchimol and Patrick Gauthier continue to spearhead the corporation as President and Vice President respectively. The consolidated organization consists of Smerwick Canada Limited, a major distributor of computer peripherals and components and Hexacan Inc., a Canadian company specializing in operating solutions for business applications and network interfaces.
Ogivar first gained wide recognition in
1984 when it designed a personal computer which a federal government report
rated number one over fifty similar machines, in terms of quality and innovation.
The report issued by the federal government rated Ogivar's IBM-compatible
Panama XT first among more than 57 such units available in the Canadian
marketplace. Of the six microcomputers fully evaluated in the study by
the Department of Supply and Services, the Panama XT won number one ranking
over many better known brands. At that time the product had only been in
existence six months and no one had heard of Ogivar!
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| 1. Ogivar Technologies, Canada's National Computer Company, packs all the speed, power and versatility of a desktop mi crocomputer into a 14-lb. featherweight "Portable Laptop" design. 2. Ogivar's Panama 386 put the company on the leading edge of the new technology - operating at speeds of two to three times that of earlier machines. |
The evaluation was based on the concept, design and quality of materials, IBM compatibility, expansion capability, price, Canadian content, usercomfort and serviceability. The government report rated the Panama XT "superior" for overall quality and design, user-comfort and special features. Compatibility, expansion capability and Canadian content were rated "excellent". Since then, Ogivar has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Ville St-Laurent
Chamber of Commerce "Alpha" awards in 1985
for "Best New Enterprise" and in 1987 for "Company of the Year", the Ministry
of Industry and Commerce "Award of Excellence" in 1986, and the CAD/CAM
"Innovation" award in 1987.
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In September of 1985, Ogivar became the official supplier to CESA, Quebec's coalition of 35,000 business school students in twelve universities. The Quebec government extended a full loan guarantee to these students for the purchase of a computer. Other student coalitions have since made Ogivar their choice, confirming the company's role as supplier to the educational as well as to the corporate and government market. In January 1987, thanks to a 95% rate of satisfaction by users, the contract to supply CESA was renewed.
Ogivar's success can be attributed to its
dedication to innovative research and development, quality manufacturing
and aggressive marketing. This combination has led Ogivar to many significant
achievements. In 1986 Ogivar was the first Canadian firm, and the second
worldwide, to develop and market a 386 based microcomputer.
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| 1. Jaime Benchimol, Founder and President. 2. Patrick Gauthier, Founder and Vice-President. |
This important technological innovation has enabled Ogivar to penetrate a market estimated at three times the size of the regular PC market. This newest line of product allows the user to reach for processing power formerly reserved for mini computers. In that same year, the company signed a joint development agreement with Microsoft Corporation of Washington, D.C., considered to be the world's leader in software publishing. To date, an Ogivar computer can be found in most major Canadian corporations, government offices, and school systems.
Most recently, Ogivar Technologies has been the first company in Canada to benefit from the Free-Trade accord between Canada and the United States, with the introduction of its Portable Laptop computer. It is the largest Canadian exporter to the United States of portable micro computers compatible with IBM systems. A joint agreement with Al Electronics of Japan to manufacture and distribute laptop machines will soon ensure Ogivar's presence overseas. With head offices in Ville Saint-Laurent, Canada's second largest High Tech city, Ogivar is rapidly expanding. In March 1987 Ogivar opened an office in Toronto, confirming their advance on the Canadian scene. In that same year regional offices in Quebec and Ottawa moved into more spacious quarters.
Ogivar's commitments to seize opportunities for growth without compromising its high standards for quality ensures its continuous position as Canada's leading partner in growth in the field of microtechnology.
