TORONTO, Canada – Retail Council of Canada (RCC) is pleased to announce Paul Higgins Jr. and Michael Higgins, the Co-CEOs of Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee, as the inaugural recipients of the Canadian Grand Prix Lifetime Achievement Award.
RCC’s Canadian Grand Prix Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes senior executive(s) who have demonstrated outstanding service and commitment to the Canadian grocery industry.
The recipient(s) of the Award reflect the industry’s spirit of community and trust and demonstrate a strong commitment to innovation, both in the products their company offers to consumers and the leadership they provide within their organization.
The recipients are recognized as role models whose passion goes beyond a lifelong dedication to the industry, demonstrating a commitment to greater good through support for charitable and community organizations.
“RCC is honoured to award Paul Higgins Jr. and Michael Higgins with this inaugural award, in recognition of their tremendous contributions to the retail and consumer packaged goods industries,” said Diane J. Brisebois, President & CEO, Retail Council of Canada.
“Over the course of their careers Paul and Michael have pushed the envelope to drive sustainable growth, champion innovation and exceed customer expectation, earning the respect of their peers and industry partners every step of the way.
Paul and Michael Higgins are true innovators and their willingness to embrace change has cemented Mother Parkers as an internationally recognized industry leader.”
About Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee, Paul Higgins Jr. and Michael Higgins
The family-owned and managed company was founded as a wholesale grocery distributor in 1912 by Stafford Higgins and E. Burke, under the name Higgins & Burke Ltd., selling bulk commodities including tea and coffee.
Paul and Michael Higgins are the third generation to successfully steer Mother Parkers to growth and expansion. As Co-CEOs, they have overseen the development and expansion of the company’s brands, as well as the private label tea and coffee brands of many of North America’s largest grocery and restaurant chains.
Most recently under the Higgins’ leadership, Mother Parkers introduced breakthrough innovation with the launch of RealCup® single-serve capsules and the EcoCup™ recyclable capsule. The company’s commitment to service and innovation has been recognized through countless business, industry and customer awards.
Paul Higgins Jr. has worked in nearly every area of the family business, including finance, sales and marketing. He has served on several boards, including chairman of the Food Association of Canada, board member of the National Coffee Association, chairman of Food & Consumer Products of Canada and board member of St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation.
Michael Higgins has extensive experience in sales and marketing for both the retail and foodservice channels of Mother Parkers’ business. He has also played a pivotal role in overseeing Mother Parkers’ successful business partnerships.
Michael is currently a director of the Tea Association of Canada, a past-president of the Tea & Coffee Association of Canada and a former member of the Board of Governors of St. Andrew’s College.
In honour of their father and to mark Mother Parkers’ 100th Anniversary in 2012, Paul and Michael Higgins successfully launched a campaign that raised $1 million for research into finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.
The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Paul and Michael Higgins at the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards Gala on June 1, 2016. For further information and to purchase tickets: RCCGrandPrix.ca.
The Gala, taking place at STORE 2016, Canada’s largest and most important retail conference, will take place at the Toronto Congress Centre from 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET. For further information: STOREconference.ca
