BE AWARDS
FEBRUARY 2016
19
Danny Sitnam, right, of Helijet, presents the Forestry/Wood Products Business of the Year Award to George Woernle of Canadian Bavarian Millwork & Lumber Ltd. of Chemainus
Michael Tymchuk of Cumberland Brewing Company receives the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from Alana Carroll of Coastal Community Credit Union
BE AWARDS
technology, improving health and saving lives throughout the world. York Machine – Trades York Machine Shop Ltd. was founded in the 1980’s and employed four people when Dennis Cambrey bought it in 1992. The
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named the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year. This is a full service salon and spa with an outstanding reputation.
St arFish Medical – Technology S t a rF i s h M e d i c a l i s Ca nada’s leading medical device development company, and it was founded in Victoria. It now works on some of the most interesting challenges in medical
HAYES STEWART LITTLE & CO.: HELPING COMPANIES GROW
H
elping companies grow and succeed by integrating business excellence in their day to day practices is what Hayes Stewart Little & Co. (HSLCO) does each and every day for its clients. That’s why Janet Rowe, a partner in the firm, says that sponsoring the annual Business Excellence Awards is a natural fit. “Due to our size we have a lot of diverse businesses as clients. We want them to succeed, to grow and create jobs in our communities. We use our business knowledge to help them make decisions that should ultimately make them successful.” “A lot of our clients are small businesses,” Rowe says. “It’s nice to be able to recognize and congratulate them on having an outstanding, successful business.” Hayes Stewart Little & Co. is Vancouver Island’s largest independent accounting firm with offices in Duncan, Victoria and Nanaimo. In business for more than 40 years, the firm offers specialized services and core services including auditing, accounting and tax. They also provide many other services
While the firm prides itself on its professional services it also commits to supporting the community
i nclud i ng strateg ic pla nning, business valuations, corporate restructuring and reorganization, business succession, and corporate and personal financial advice. “We have our own in-house specialists,” Rowe explains.
“So we can meet any special needs our clients have.” As a side note she added “With the change in governments there have been changes to tax rates that will affect tax planning; additionally, changes have been made to Trust r u les, ch a r itable g iv i ng, and life insurance. People should meet with their CPA to ensure their current tax or estate plan still works for them.” While the firm prides itself on its professional services it also commits to supporting the community. Among the many community organizations HSLCO sponsors are the Cowichan United Way, The Festival of Trees in Victoria and Nanaimo, the Victoria Conservatory of Music, and U Vic’s Distinguished Entrepreneu r of the Yea r Award. “We believe in participating and being active in the communities where we live and raise our families,” Rowe says. “Especially in the smaller communities on the island, we’re all interdependent. Our clients are local. They support us, so we want to give back to those communities.” www.hslco.com
business serviced local mills, mines and logging camps, and today, with 44 employees, York Machine has 65 per cent of its business in building and exporting machines all over the world. The Official Program of the event, featu ri ng photos a nd
a r t ic le s a b o ut a l l 81 f i n a li s t s i n t he B u si ne ss E xc ell e n c e Aw a rd s , i s a v a i l a b l e on-line at http://issuu.com/ markmacdonald7/docs/ be_awards_book_2016lowrez For further information, visit www.businessexaminer.ca
We recognize the hard work it takes to stand out in today’s business world. Congratulations to every finalist.