Sicilian Culture: The News: Richard Lovat Recipient of 2001 Ordine al Merito

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Richard Lovat Recipient of 2001 Ordine al Merito
Richard Lovat, founder and president of Lovat Inc.---one of only eight tunneling equipment manufacturers in the world and the only company of its kind in Canada---has been named recipient of the 2001 Ordine al Merito, the distinguished service award made annually by the Toronto District of the National Congress of Italian Canadians.
Born near Sedico (Belluno), in the Veneto Region of northern Italy, Richard Lovat graduated from the Istituto Tecnico Industriale di Belluno as a mechanic. From 1949 to 1951, he worked in the field of electrical engineering in Switzerland, emigrating to Canada in 1951 at the age of 23. He started his first company---Richard's Machinery and Repair Ltd.---in the early 1960's. In 1972, he formed Lovat Tunneling Equpment Ltd., which has been a pioneer in tunneling safety and technology innovation in the intervening thirty years. Lovat's most notable invention has been tunnel boring machines, commonly known as 'moles', which have resulted in greater speed in tunnel construction, lower costs, and---most importantly---enhanced worker safety.
According to Toronto District president Tony Carella, "Richard Lovat combines an outstanding dedication to technological innovation with a commitment to workplace safety which is truly exemplary. This dedication and commitment are amply demonstrated in the many projects that Lovat has undertaken---among which are some of the most extraordinary engineering feats of the past half century---all accomplished with the highest standard of workplace safety. The Toronto District is proud to honour this outstanding Italian Canadian."
The 2001 Ordine al Merito will be conferred on Mr. Lovat at a dinner in his honour in the fall of this year

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