Victoria’s Hoyne Brewing Company and Real Estate Webmasters of Nanaimo were named Businesses of the Year at the 15th Vancouver Island Business Excellence Awards.
Sean Hoyne, who has two decades in the hops and barley business, opened the brewery in early 2012 and his beer is sold across the Island in pubs, restaurants and stores. His company won the award in the under-50-employees category.
Real Estate Webmasters, which won the over-50 employees category, is operated by Morgan Carey. He recently turned down a record $2 million offer on CBC’s Dragon’s Den, saying the $40-million evaluation of the company was too low.
“What these awards are all about is celebrating the successes of the Vancouver Island companies who have quietly worked behind the scenes to make their communities better and give their employees a great place to work,” said Mark MacDonald, president of Invest Northwest Publishing Ltd., which publishes Business Examiner Victoria and Business Examiner Vancouver Island. “In most cases, they’ve been doing what they do best without fanfare, and this event brings them into the spotlight to take a bow.”
RBC Royal Bank and Hayes Stewart Little Chartered Accountants are the sponsors of the event.
Other winners:
• Agriculture Company of the Year: Daldas Farms Ltd., Black Creek.
• Automotive Company of the Year: Bailey Western Star Trucks Inc., Campbell River.
• Construction/Development Company of the Year Allterra Construction Ltd., Victoria and Alair Homes, Nanaimo.
• Entrepreneur of the Year: Atomique Productions Ltd., Victoria.
• Forestry/Wood Products Company of the Year: Coastland Wood Industries, Nanaimo.
• Green Company of the Year: Fort Realty Ltd., Victoria.
• Health Company of the Year: Island Optimal Health and Performance, Nanaimo.
• Hospitality/Tourism Company of the Year: Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort, Port McNeill.
• Manufacturer of the Year: Viking Air Ltd., Sidney
• Ocean Products Company of the Year: Taste of B.C. Aquafarms Inc., Nanaimo.
• Professional Company of the Year: Johnston, Johnston and Associates Ltd., Nanaimo.
• Real Estate Company of the Year: Chard Development, Victoria.
• Retail Company of the Year: Cascadia Liquor, Victoria.
• Technology Company of the Year: PBX Engineering Ltd., Victoria.
• Trades Company of the Year: Roc-Tech Contracting, Nanaimo.
