KILT crowned double winners

Last night was one of celebration as the top businesses of Hawke's Bay crowded into the Napier War Memorial Centre.

The 18th Annual Westpac Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce Business Awards was a prizegiving with a difference, as speeches were given by local leaders, and guests were treated to a three-course meal.

But last night was more than just an enjoyable evening.

It was about giving younger business the permission to excel and aspire, to develop and become prosperous, HB Chamber of Commerce CEO Wayne Walford said.

"This year's awards attracted a very high calibre of business."

Tukituki MP Craig Foss was there to "salute" the businesses for their strength and entrepreneurial spirit.

"It's important to celebrate the successes and excellence right here in the Bay," he said.

Local design and manufacturer KILT won both the supreme Westpac Business of the Year 2015, and the Napier City Council Medium-Large Business Award.

KILT had won the small business award previously, so founder Melissa Williams-Lamb said it was awesome to see their expansion recognised.

"Our team has worked so hard, so it's great that work is acknowledged," she said "and it's great that we can be based in Hawke's Bay".

The team said it mean a lot to KILT to be recognised as a leading Hawke's Bay Business.

Mr Walford said it was huge that two Hawke's Bay's "heavy-weights", Gemco and Unison Group (UCSL), were competing for the ACC Workplace Safety Award 2015.

It was USCL who came away with the revered award after judges said the business had one of the strongest safety and health cultures they had ever encountered.

Judges also said the benefits and results of USCL's positive approach to health and safety extended well beyond the business; to the wider organisation, the region and the New Zealand Electrical industry.

Mr Walford said the chamber was pleased to see strong businesses putting up their hand to be reviewed by peers and showing leadership for the region.

Such strong businesses ranged from the big to the small, from NZ Digital claiming the EIT Small Business Award, and Ravensdown being awarded the Pan Pac Large Business Award.

The leadership of NOW, CEO Hamish White, was singled out as he was awarded the Linden Estate Leadership Award.

Crab Farm Winery won its first award with the D2D Small-Medium Business Award. Judges said they admired the business's "never-stand-still attitude".

NZME, which publishes Hawke's Bay Today, is one of the event's sponors.