Mid Island Co-op management and board members celebrated being named the Enterprise Business of the Year. CEO Ian Anderson, center, holds the award. Photo Credit: BrianaPage Photography
NANAIMO – Mid Island Co-op, headquartered in Nanaimo, was named the Enterprise Business of the Year at the record-breaking 25th Annual TD Vancouver Island Business Excellence Awards at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre Thursday night.
The Enterprise category was the final of 18 presented that evening and featured businesses that posted revenues in excess of $10 million in 2025.
For more than 65 years, Mid Island Co-op has been a cornerstone of Central and Northern Vancouver Island. Formerly known as Hub Co-op, the organization was founded in Nanaimo in 1959 by a small group of local citizens with a shared goal of providing accessible goods and services to their members. Their holdings include gas stations, convenience stores, liquor stores and most recently, they purchased two locations of Discovery Foods in Campbell River and Oyster River.
“This was by far the biggest celebration of the Vancouver Island Business Excellence Awards since it started in January, 1999,” says organizer John MacDonald, Commercial REALTOR® with Re/Max Commercial Camosun and owner of the Business Examiner News Group, which organized the event, adding the Awards have been held every year since, the only exception being during Covid, when in-person gatherings were prohibited. “We had a record 455 nominated organizations, 128 finalists, and a complete sell-out of business owners and leaders from all across Vancouver Island.”
Gold sponsors of the event were Knappett Projects, Mid Island Co-Op and RE/MAX Commercial Camosun. Category sponsors were Nanaimo Airport, Doane Grant Thornton, CHIMS Cabins, Alitis Investment Counsel, Modern PURAIR® RBC, Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre, Vancouver Island Conference Centre, BC Cannabis Inc., Futurpreneur, Vectis Custom Homes, Carrier Enterprises, Helijet and Underhill Geomatics.
Networking Reception sponsor was Aspengrove School, IRIS The Visual Group was the Audio-Visual Sponsor, SW Event Technology was the Media Sponsor, DataStream Networks the Technology Sponsor, and Foresight AC the Engagement Sponsor.
The Big Business of the Year (Over $5 million in revenue), went to ANW Trucking, Sponsored by Doane Grant Thornton.
ANW Trucking, based in Nanaimo, was named Big Business of the Year (Over $5 million in revenue), sponsored by Doane Grant Thornton. ANW Trucking Inc has been in business since 2010. They have approximately 35-40 employees ranging from Truck Drivers, Warehouse and office administration. Their trucking business operates on Vancouver Island and the Vancouver Region providing reliable, efficient, and flexible transportation solutions to meet a wide range of customer needs.
Western Canada Security received the Mid-Sized Business of the Year ($1-5 million in revenue), sponsored by Modern PURAIR®.
Mid-Sized Business of the Year ($1-5 million in revenue), sponsored by Modern PURAIR®, was Western Canada Security of Victoria. Western Canada Security launched at the start of 2022, offering physical security guards and patrols from marked vehicles. With public safety issues on the rise here on Vancouver Island, the company quickly gained a roster of clients who have people and property needing professional protection.
Good Life Juice won the Small Business of the Year (Under $1 million in revenue), sponsored by Futurpreneur Canada.
Small Business of the Year (Under $1 million in revenue), sponsored by Futurpreneur Canada, went to Good Life Juice of Nanaimo. Good Life Juice is a purpose-driven wellness company founded in 2014 with a mission to help people feel nourished, vibrant, and healthy. Good Life Juice has spent over a decade crafting clean, nutrient-rich products that support balanced living and make healthy eating both delicious and accessible.
Other category winners were:
Longwood Brewery on Boxwood Road of Nanaimo received the Agriculture and Food Processing Business of the Year Award of Excellence, sponsored by BC Cannabis Inc.
Agriculture and Food Processing Business of the Year, sponsored by BC Cannabis Inc, was Longwood Brewery on Boxwood Road of Nanaimo. The Longwood Brewery on Boxwood Road is an independent craft brewery serving Vancouver Island and select markets across the province. Established 14 years ago, the brewery has grown steadily from a small local producer into a well-recognized regional brand, while remaining privately owned and closely connected to the community it serves.
Tectonica Management of Nanaimo received the Construction and Development Business of the Year award, sponsored by Underhill Geomatics.
Construction and Development Business of the Year, sponsored by Underhill Geomatics, was Tectonica Management of Nanaimo. Tectonica Management Inc. is a Vancouver Island–based construction management firm with 20 years of experience delivering thoughtfully planned, community-focused projects across B.C. Founded in 2005, Tectonica has built a strong reputation for reliability, collaboration, and deliberate project delivery rooted in long-term relationships.
Creative Woodcraft of Cobble Hill received Construction Trades Enterprise of the Year Award, sponsored by RBC.
Construction Trades Enterprise of the Year, sponsored by RBC, was Creative Woodcraft of Cobble Hill. Creative Woodcraft is a second-generation, family-owned custom cabinetry and millwork company based. Founded in 1985, the business proudly celebrates 40 years of service, built on a reputation for quality craftsmanship, reliability, and long-standing client relationships.
Pacific Awnings of Victoria received the Construction Trades Journeyman of the Year, sponsored by Carrier Enterprise.
Construction Trades Journeyman of the Year, sponsored by Carrier Enterprise, was Pacific Awnings of Victoria. Pacific Awnings is the largest retailer of weather protection and security products on Vancouver Island. The company was started in 1991 and has been serving residential and commercial customers throughout Vancouver Island as well as nearby islands.
Genesis Tallow won the Environmental Sustainability Business of the Year, sponsored by Nanaimo Airport.
Environmental Sustainability Business of the Year, sponsored by Nanaimo Airport, was Genesis Tallow of Victoria. Genesis Tallow is a woman-founded skin care company based in Victoria. The business began in 2020, and what started small on Vancouver Island has grown steadily and organically, and today Genesis Tallow serves customers across Canada, the U.S., and internationally with products shipped to every province and U.S. state, as well as a rapidly growing wholesale network.
Central Drugs of Nanaimo received the Award of Excellence in Health Care Services, sponsored by Alitis Investment Counsel
Health Care Services Business of the Year, sponsored by Alitis Investment Counsel, was Central Drugs of Nanaimo. For over 133 years, Central Drugs has served as a pillar of the Nanaimo community, establishing a legacy as the region’s premier ”homegrown” pharmacy. Since its founding in 1892, the organization has been dedicated to ”Creating Healthy Relationships,” a mission that remains the heartbeat of the business today.
Naturally Pacific Resort of Campbell River won Hospitality And Tourism Business of the Year Award of Excellence, sponsored by Vancouver Island Conference Centre.
Hospitality And Tourism Business of the Year, sponsored by Vancouver Island Conference Centre, was Naturally Pacific Resort of Campbell River. Naturally Pacific Resort is a luxury boutique resort located in Campbell River. Officially opening in May 2024, the resort was developed with the vision of creating a refined hospitality experience that is deeply connected to the surrounding natural environment, while contributing meaningfully to the local economy and tourism industry.
Petroglyph Development Group of Nanaimo received the Indigenous Business of the Year Award of Excellence, sponsored by CHIMS Cabins.
Indigenous Business of the Year, sponsored by CHIMS Cabins, was Petroglyph Development Group of Nanaimo. Petroglyph Development Group (PDG) is Snuneymuxw First Nation’s economic development team, focused on advancing sustainable business growth and long-term economic impact. 100% Nation-owned, PDG’s work is guided by the priorities of Snuneymuxw members. Grounded in Snuw’uyulth, the ancestral teachings passed down from their Elders, they weave Snuneymuxw knowledge with contemporary business.
Benson Cabinetry and Millwork of Saanichton received the Industrial Manufacturing Business of the Year, sponsored by RE/MAX Camosun Commercial.
Industrial Manufacturing Business of the Year, sponsored by RE/MAX Camosun Commercial, was Benson Cabinetry and Millwork of Saanichton. Benson Cabinetry & Millwork (BCM) is a premier provider of high quality cabinetry and residential millwork for the multi-residential market in Western Canada. Founded in 1976, BCM has evolved from a local family-owned workshop into an industry leader built on quality, reliability, teamwork and progress.
Nanaimo Foundation received the Non-Profit Organization of the Year, sponsored by Mid Island Co-op
Non-Profit Organization of the Year, sponsored by Mid Island Co-op, was Nanaimo Foundation. Nanaimo Foundation is a community foundation that has been serving Nanaimo and the surrounding region for over 40 years. As a registered charitable organization, the Foundation connects donors with causes they care about and strategically invests charitable dollars to strengthen the social, cultural, environmental, and economic well-being of the community.
Professional Services Firms Enterprise of the Year, sponsored by Knappett Projects, was Chan Nowosad Boates of Campbell River.
Professional Services Firms Enterprise of the Year, sponsored by Knappett Projects, is Chan Nowosad Boates of Campbell River. Chan Nowosad Boates (CNB) has offices located in Campbell River and the Comox Valley and has been serving clients on the Island since 1983. During this time, we have grown to be one of the largest independently owned firms on Vancouver Island. Their clients are located all over BC from Haida Gwaii to Vancouver, Whistler and Victoria.
Professional Services Firms Boutique of the Year Award, sponsored by Vectis Custom Homes, went to The Interior Design Group.
Professional Services Firms Boutique of the Year, sponsored by Vectis Custom Homes, was The Interior Design Group of Nanaimo. The Interior Design Group is an award-winning, full-service interior design firm based in Nanaimo. Founded in 1994, the firm brings more than three decades of experience delivering sophisticated, functional, and highly customized interior environments across a wide range of sectors.
Culture Craze Retail Corp. of Victoria and Nanaimo received the Retail – Brick & Mortar & E-Commerce Business of the Year, sponsored by Helijet.
Retail – Brick & Mortar & E-Commerce Business of the Year, sponsored by Helijet, was Culture Craze Retail Corp. of Victoria and Nanaimo. Founded in 2001, Culture Craze is a proudly Canadian and female owned company specializing in body jewelry, fashion, and accessories for alternative and expressive communities. What began as a single retail cart in Surrey, BC has grown into a trusted, multi-unit brand recognized for inclusivity, creativity, and community connection.
Daxtech IT Solutions won the Technology and Innovation Business of the Year, sponsored by Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre.
Technology and Innovation Business of the Year, sponsored by Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre, is Daxtech IT Solutions of Victoria. Daxtech IT Solutions is a Managed IT Services Provider that has been operating for over 15 years, supporting small and medium-sized businesses with practical, reliable, and forward-thinking technology solutions.
The official souvenir book listing all of the finalists can be viewed online at: https://www.calameo.com/read/00688551787cb12b8bf55
