Friesens Corporation was presented with a prestigious accolade from its industry peers Thursday night.

Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters presented the Altona-based printing company with the CME Export Award at its annual awards dinner in Winnipeg.

CME selected Friesens for the company's achievements in expanding its markets, and the Export Award celebrates that accomplishment, especially in relation to the U.S. market.

"Friesens Corporation has been a member of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Association, and to be recognized by your peers and industry, in general, is certainly an honour for us and all of our employee owners," said Chad Friesen, President, and COO of Friesens.

The book manufacturer has enjoyed steady growth in the U.S. market for many years, to where it currently exports 50 per cent of its products across the border.

"Canada doesn't have the same size market nor is the publishing industry growing at the same rate. That forces us to focus a lot of attention on the United States," said Friesen.

Friesens Corp. was launched in 1907 and has grown to become Canada’s leading short-run book manufacturer and packaging specialist. The company's founder D.W Friesen was inducted into the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Hall of Fame in 2013.