A new selection of Eastern Bay businesses have trophies proudly on display after the weekend’s Horizon Energy Group Business Excellence Awards.

Top honours of the night went to Mainstream Engineering Limited, which took home the Supreme Business, Inspired Use of Technology and Empowering Large Business awards.

More than 350 people attended the awards evening, delivered by the Eastern Bay Chamber of Commerce.

General manager Andrew Watson said with the challenges that businesses had faced in the past four years, it was important to recognise businesses that had excelled despite a difficult operating environment.

More businesses entered the awards than usual, making a tough job for the judges.

Mr Watson said the standard of entries was extremely high.

All entrants were asked to attend a pitch weekend, where they delivered a 10-minute presentation to the judges to support their entry.

“The judges were impressed by the standards this year and selecting finalists from such a great pool of talent was difficult.”

Supreme award winners Mainstream Engineering were said by the judges to have a well-documented strategy, customer-focused approach, and a strong team ethic.

They ticked the boxes on several of the capability criteria, making them the overall winner.

“Special mention also to Takutai Adventure Company, Te Tawa Kaiti Lands Trust, and Whakatāne Kiwi Trust for taking out several awards during the evening.

“Congratulations to Oliver Dobbin from Takutai Adventure Company for winning the Business Leader and Young Entrepreneur awards, and to Waata Heathcote from Waiariki Whanau Limited for winning the Community Leader Award.

“It was fantastic to see community organisations recognised this year for all the hard work they do in the community utilising the generosity of their volunteer base.”

The Chamber has run the business awards with support from Horizon Energy Group every two years since 2012.

The event was struck by delays in 2020 due to Covid and took place in 2021 instead, and the 2023 awards were postponed due to economic challenges.

In coming editions, the Beacon will profile some of the businesses that have won awards at the excellence awards.

2024 HEG Business Excellence Awards winners

2degrees Inspired Use of Technology Award: Mainstream Engineering Limited

Eastern Bay Chamber of Commerce Manaaki Tangata Award: Alzheimers Society Eastern Bay of Plenty

Whakatāne Mill Limited Business Management and Strategy Award: Te Tawa Kaiti Lands Trust

Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi Whai Ora Award: Eastbay REAP

Toi EDA Kaitiakitanga Award: Whakatāne Kiwi Trust

Ake Accounting Emerging Business Award: Takutai Adventure Company

Eastern Bay Chamber of Commerce Pakihi Māori Award: Te Tawa Kaiti Lands Trust

Toi Ohomai Community Organisation Award: Whakatāne Kiwi Trust

Beacon Media Group, 1xx and Media Bay of Plenty Solopreneur Award: Rena Skin

Eastbay REAP Outstanding Small Business Award: Apogee Legal

Productivity People Impactful Medium Business Award: Superior Excavation

Air Chathams Empowering Large Business Award: Mainstream Engineering Limited

Open Oceans Whakatōhea Mussels Business Leader Award: Oliver Dobbin

Eastland Generation Young Entrepreneuir Award: Oliver Dobbin

Property Brokers Whakatāne Community Leader Award: Waata Heathcote

Whakatāne District Council Peoples’ Choice Award: Money Maverick

Horizon Energy Group Supreme Business Award: Mainstream Engineering Limited