Two businesses have shared the top trophy to cap off a night of surprises at the 2015 Central Highlands Business Excellence Awards.
H.E.M.E. and TNC Cranes have both been crowned Central Highlands Business of the Year, at Saturday’s Awards Gala Dinner in Emerald.
Both entrants were also named joint winners in the Manufacturing and Industry Sector category and the judges introduced a new category for Micro Business, won by Artworx 4720.
“The decision to select double winners for both a category award and the night’s major award, reflects the strength of entries that were presented to the judges,” Central Highlands Development Corporation (CHDC) General Manager Sandra Hobbs explains.
“The judges were also compelled to create a new category for small businesses to acknowledge the quality of their entry submissions and recognise the outstanding achievements of this important segment of the business community.”
This is the second consecutive time H.E.M.E. has taken out the top award, having been named Central Highlands Business of the Year in 2013.
TNC Cranes was selected as Young Business Owner / Operator in 2013.
“The judges were impressed by H.E.M.E.’s adaption of innovative technologies to maintain their competitive advantage, their culture of continuous improvement and their well-executed succession plan,” Ms Hobbs says.
“TNC Cranes impressed with their unwavering vision for the business since its inception. This was underpinned by their ISO accreditation, their unique computerised management system and their diversification into product development.”
GeoRadar who took out the Professional Services Sector Award in both 2013 and 2015 will join H.E.M.E and TNC Cranes in the running for the Hall of Fame, which will be announced at the next Awards, due to be held in 2017.
H.E.M.E. provides manufacturing and engineering solutions to the mining, civil and agricultural sectors.
TNC Cranes is an Australian specialist materials handling company that offers an extensive range of crane parts, crane accessories and crane services.
CHDC hosts the Awards in collaboration with a range of business, industry, and government partners.
- CHDC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD
Winner: H.E.M.E. Pty Ltd and TNC Cranes
Finalists: Bandana Station Sunsets, Bar H Grazing, Crush Tech Mining, Emerald Office Supplies, Fairbairn Bakery, Fair Dinkum Meats, GeoRadar Australia Pty Ltd, H.E.M.E. Pty Ltd, Lifestyle Therapies and Training Solutions, TNC Cranes - Capricorn Enterprise TOURISM SECTOR AWARD
Winner: Fairbairn Bakery
Finalists: Fairbairn Bakery, Russell’s Auto Electrics - Department of Industry, Innovation and Science MANUFACTURING AND INDUSTRY SECTOR AWARD Winner: H.E.M.E. Pty Ltd and TNC Cranes
Finalists: H.E.M.E. Pty Ltd, TNC Cranes - Emerald Woodworkers Group RURAL OPERATIONS AND SERVICES SECTOR AWARD
Winner: Bar H Grazing
Finalists: Bar H Grazing, GeoRadar Australia Pty Ltd
- Rio Tinto Kestrel Mine RETAIL AND LIFESTYLE SERVICES SECTOR AWARD
Winner: Emerald Office Supplies
Finalists: Central Highlands Pool and Spa Maintenance, Emerald Office Supplies
- CQUniversity HOSPITALITY SERVICES SECTOR AWARD
Winner: Fair Dinkum Meats
Finalists: Fair Dinkum Meats, Fairbairn Bakery
- Bentleys PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SECTOR AWARD
Winner: GeoRadar Australia Pty Ltd (2013 winner of this category)
Finalists: 4T Consultants, GeoRadar Australia Pty Ltd
- Local Buying Community Foundation TRAINING, KNOWLEDGE AND DEVELOPMENT SECTOR AWARD
Winner: Lifestyle Therapies and Training Solutions
Finalists: 4T Consultants, Lifestyle Therapies and Training Solutions - BMA YOUNG BUSINESS OWNER / OPERATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
Winner: Crush Tech Mining
Finalists: Bandana Station Sunsets, Crush Tech Mining
- KPMG EMERGING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD
Winner: Bandana Station Sunsets
Finalists: Bandana Station Sunsets, Mining for Business
- CHDC JUDGES’ CHOICE MICRO BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD (new category)
Winner: Artworx 4720
- QantasLink PEOPLE’S CHOICE FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE / CUSTOMER RELATIONS AWARD
Winner: M & R Colour Studio
Finalists: A Little Costume Shop; Alive Chiropractic; Artworx 4720; Bi-Rite Electrical Springsure; Capricorn Driving Academy; Central Highlands Pool Spa and Maintenance; Corbett Homes; Direct Chemist Outlet; Emerald 4×4; Emerald Steel and Stuff; Enhanced Pure Beauty; Fair Dinkum Meats; Highland Homewares; Inclusive Training; Jeanswest; Le Porte Rosse; Lifestyle Therapies and Training Solutions; M & R Colour Studio; Mati Rose Boutique; New Beginnings Personal Training; North Blackwater General Practice; Prime Rentals; Pushy Bikes; Remote-a-door Emerald; Shazza’s Snack Shack; Springsure Overlander Motel; The Feedlot Café; Vybe Café; Wendy’s Emerald Store; Westpac Emerald; Wild By Design.
The Awards are proudly supported by Blue Sapphire Partner KPMG, Official Airline Carrier QantasLink and the Central Highlands Regional Council.