Norm’s Plumbing & Heating Named Big Business of the Year
Norm’s Mobile Plumbing & Heating won Big Business of the Year. Left, Malcom & Carson Rush, brothers and owners of Norm’s, right James Byrne, Managing Partner of MNP Vancouver Island.
NANAIMO – Norm’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning of Nanaimo was named Big Business of the Year before a packed house at the 23rd Annual MNP LLP Vancouver Island Business Excellence Awards at a sold out event February 1 at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre.
Small Business of the Year was Field Five Farm Ltd. of Saanichton, and Tectonica Management Inc. of Nanaimo was the Mid-Sized Business of the Year.
Norm’s Plumbing, heating and air conditioning has been serving Nanaimo since 1971. They provide residential plumbing heating and air conditioning services from Nanoose to Ladysmith, with the majority of the work in Nanaimo. They provide everything from plumbing and HVAC to small repairs and large installations.
Tectonica Management was the winner of the Mid Sized business of the year ($1-5M). Left to right, Florian Schulz, Michelle Hall, Darren Moss and Al Staight of Tectonica and sponsor from Coastal Community Credit Union.
Tectonica is a Nanaimo-based construction management firm that specializes in the development and construction of commercial, industrial, residential, retail, and educational projects. With a strong dedication to collaboration, creativity, and exceeding industry standards, they strive to deliver the very best in construction management and project management services.
Field Five Farm was the winner of the Small Business Award (under 1$M Revenue). From Left to right, Kyle Michell, Jennifer Michell,Mike Doehnel and Damon Bell of Field Five Farm and Chris Dods of Sponsor, Coast Group of Companies
Through their farming heritage and knowledge of the land and soil their grains are grown on, FIELD FIVE FARM provides environmentally friendly agricultural practices by increasing crop rotation, cover crop seeds and primary seeds for their farm as well as other farmers in the area.
A total of 119 companies competed for Business of the Year Awards in 18 categories at the event, which celebrated the best of the best in Vancouver Island Business in 2023. A team of independent judges determined the category winners.
“The excitement and enthusiasm of the evening was amazing,” says Business Examiner News Group Owner and Publisher John MacDonald, who coordinated the event. “It is great to see people getting out and celebrating some of the great things that are happening in the business community, and the quality of companies continues to astound us each and every year.”
Gold Sponsors were: Van Isle Windows, Coastal Community Credit Union and Nanaimo Airport.
Category Sponsors were: North Island Drywall, Mid Island Co-op, Chinook Business Advisory Ltd., Rolling Tides Construction Inc., Coastal Group of Companies, City of Port Alberni, Hub International, Helijet, Modern PurAir, Alitis Investment Counsel, Avalon Mechanical, Hemlock Printers, CHIMS Motel & Guest House, Waypoint Insurance and IWCD.
Networking and reception sponsors were the Harris Auto Group, RBC and Yellow Sheet Construction Data.
Other category winners were:
Westurban Developments Ltd received the Business of the Year Award for Construction & Development, sponsored by North Island Drywall. From Left to right, Frank Limshue, Jenn Bogwald, Kirsten Rudyk and Philip Russo.
Construction & Development: WestUrban Developments of Campbell River. 2023 was a challenging year for many construction and real estate companies, with 10 interest rate hikes and a critical labour shortage, but WestUrban Developments posted its biggest year yet, with a target of 1,500 doors built.
The Entrepreneur of the Year Award, sponsored by Van Isle Windows, went to Lacasse Construction. From left to right, Chris Lamothe of Van Island Windows, Cale Lacasse, Vicky Ratcliffe, Erin McLeod and David McLeod of Lacasse Construction.
Entrepreneur: Lacasse Construction of Courtenay. : Lacasse Construction is a second generation family owned and operated General Contracting firm located in the Comox Valley. The original company was started in the mid 1980’s by founder Rick Lacasse. The firm is now owned by Cale Lacasse and Vicky Ratcliffe and has five family members involved in the day to day operations.
Travis Koivula, CFA, was the winner of the Financial Business of the Year Award. Left is Travis Koivula and right is Ramon Ramirez of Chinook Business Advisory, Sponsor.
Financial Business of the Year: Travis Koivula, CFA of Island Savings Wealth Management of Victoria. The Travis Koivula team has been working with executives and small business owners to help them achieve their financial goals and dreams for over 18 years. Based out of Island Savings Mayfair location, the team serves clients from Victoria to New Brunswick and is licensed in many Canadian provinces.
DeeBee’s Organics won Food & Beverage Production Business of the Year, sponsor Rolling Tides Construction. Left, Director of Marketing, Caitlin Ert and Chris Adams of the Business Examiner.
Food & Beverage Production: Deebee’s Organics of Victoria. The mission at DeeBee’s is to support all kids to confidently step into the best version of themselves. That’s why they’ve created products that are certified organic and mindfully sweetened.
GRT won the Green & Sustainability Business of the Year which was sponsored by the Nanaimo Airport, YCD. Left, Dave Devana of the Nanaimo Airport Commission, centre, Blair Tassone of GRT.
Green & Sustainability: GRT of Nanaimo. GRT’s plant uses a unique tech stack—from mining, wastewater and other industries—to wash and sort excess soils. They remove the impurities, then treat and recycle their water on site in a closed-loop system. Excess soil isn’t a waste. It’s a resource, and over 95% of this ‘waste’ is reusable with the right process.
Port Alberni Association for Community Living was the winner of the Business of the Year in Health Care sponsored by Avalon Mechanical. Left to right: Julie Wakefield, Nicole Uzelman and Kelly Ham of Port Alberni Community Living, and Tim Robertson of Avalon.
Health Care: Port Alberni Association for Community Living of Port Alberni. Port Alberni Association for Community Living provides support and services to adults with intellectual disabilities and children/youth with support needs and their families. There is currently seventeen programs offered at eight programs sites supporting almost four hundred individuals and their families.
Tigh Na Mara won the Tourism and Hospitality Business of the Year which was sponsored by Hemlock Printers. Left, Suzy Kirkland, Jim Hykaway, Elaine Hill from Tight Na Mara and Gord Wright from Hemlock Printers.
Hospitality & Tourism: Tigh Na Mara Seaside Resort & Conference Centre of Parksville. Located in Parksville since 1946, on 22 acres of forest and waterfront setting, , this unique resort offers guests 192 handcrafted log accommodation, two exceptional restaurants, the multiple award-winning Grotto Spa, the largest seasonal Resort Recreation Program on the Island as well as the largest hotel/resort conference facilities north of Victoria.
Tiicama Enterprises was the recipient of the Indigenous Business of the Year sponsored by the City of Port Alberni. Left, Pat Deakin of the City of Port Alberni presenting to the team from Tiicma Enterprises.
Indigenous: Tiicma Enterprises of Campbell River and Kyuquot. Tiicma [tich-ma] Enterprises operates a number of business including Tiičma Forestry LP, Tiičma Hospitality LP, Tiičma Fisheries LP, including Aquaculture, Tiičma Aggregate LP, Tiičma Capital Assets, Tiičma Property Services LP, and have share ownership in Qwayaciik Outfitters, Nuuchahnulth Seafood LP, and NCN Cannery LP.
K& S Railings Ltd were the recipients of the Industrial Manufacturer of the Year. Left to right, Nicole Shewaga – Financial Controller, Nathan Robertson – Vice President/Owner, Chantelle Fidler – Executive Assistant and David Robertson – President/Owner (Holding the award). Far right is Scott Speakman of Helijet, sponsor.
Industrial Manufacturer: K & S Railings of Parksville. K AND S Railings has been a premier manufacturer of aluminum and glass railings on Vancouver Island since 1969. They manufacture railings, staircases, canopies, privacy walls, fencing, gates and other custom fabrications. And they work on commercial, residential, single-dwelling and multi-dwelling projects.
The Non-Profit Organization Award of Excellence went to Innovation Island Technology Association sponsored by Modern PUrair. Representing Innovation Island, left, MNP Partner Cory Vanderhorst and Executive Director Graham Truax, right, Josh Higgins of the Business Examiner.
Non-Profit Organization: Innovation Island Technology Association of Nanaimo. Innovation Island Technology Association (IITA) is a not-for-profit organization; delivering the Innovate BC Venture Acceleration Program (VAP) to Vancouver Island communities outside of greater Victoria, including the Gulf Islands, Sunshine Coast and Haida Gwaii.
The Maigus Group of Parksville received the Professional Services Award of Excellence sponsored by Alitis. Investment Counsel. Left, Terry Duguay, Managing Parter and Mike Hackett, Managing Partner at the Maigus, Group. Far right is Aaron Robertson of Alitis Investment Counsel.
Professional Services: Maigus Group Inc. of Parksville. Since 2007, their internationally recognized programs have strengthened the mindfulness and resilience of individuals, leaders and teams. They have enabled over 100,000 people, in 19 countries, to measure and develop their resilience when facing change and disruption. Their programs equip people with the tools to be more emotionally agile, make better decisions and maintain higher levels of well-being and performance during stressful times.
M&N Mattress won Retail Business of the Year sponsored by CHIMS MOTEL. Left, Ed Nicholson (CHIMS), River Keller, Mark Nagra and Liam Bolger of M&N Matress, Naomi Nicholson (CHIMS)
Retail: M&N Mattress & Sofa of Parksville has been primarily servicing Parksville and Vancouver Island since 2000 carrying primarily B.C. and Canadian made furniture and mattresses as well as sheets, mattress protectors, natural latex pillows and space-saving B.C. made cabinet Beds. The M&N logo has showing support for Canadian made quality products first and foremost and leading by example for “shopping local.”
Asep Medical won the Technology Business of the Year, sponsored by Hub Insurance. Receiving the Award for Asep is Grant Kratofil and right is Chris Adams of the Business Examiner.
Technology: Asep Medical of Victoria. Asep has been a committed innovator within the medical industry. They strive to mitigate the global crisis of antibiotic failure by improving patients’ odds of survival and quality of life. Currently, they are developing therapeutic and diagnostic products through two of their subsidiaries, ABT Innovations and Sepset Biosciences.
Osprey Electric won the Trades Business of the Year sponsored by Waypoint Navacord Insurance. Left is Tyler Cody, president of Osprey Electric and sponsor Gosia Kubacki of Waypoint Insurance.
Trades: Osprey Electric Ltd. of Parksville. Osprey Electric Ltd. is a local company that has the privilege to service all of Vancouver Island including the surrounding gulf islands and beyond. They currently have projects in Powell River and the Yukon. They have become experts in residential, commercial, industrial, solar, renewable energy and generator electrical services.
Knots Winery was the winner of the Breweries & Distilleries Business of the Year sponsored by the Mid Island Coop. Left, Brenda and Layne Craig, owners of 40 Knots and Ian Anderson, CEO of Mid Island Co-op.
Wineries, Breweries & Distilleries: 40 Knots Vineyard & Estate Winery of Comox. 40 Knots Winery stands as a testament to family dedication and entrepreneurial spirit since its establishment in 2014. From its humble beginnings producing under 1,000 liters of wine, the winery has experienced remarkable growth, now boasting 8,000 cases.
The Official Program for the BE Awards can be viewed at:
https://www.calameo.com/businessexaminer/read/00688551770dcfd5c88ad
