Outstanding businesses honoured at chamber awards
Businesses ranging from more than a century old to newly established were honoured at the 34th annual Outstanding Business Achievement Awards.
The 2017 awards were handed out Tuesday night by the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce at Carmen’s Banquet Centre to recognize small, medium and large businesses as well as nonprofits and young entrepreneurs.
“The OBAAs are a celebration of all the best efforts in the Hamilton business community from year to year,” chamber president and CEO Keanin Loomis said in a news release. “Congratulations to our 2017 winners.”
The winners include:
Small Business (1 to 10 employees)
The Laundry Design Works The small Hamilton studio has expertise in all areas of design, marketing and branding with a niche in the apparel industry. Established in 2015, they have a client base of local businesses and organizations from the Toronto area. They also design for international clothing brands.
Mid-sized (11 to 50 employees)
IDEAL Bootcamp
The fitness studio offers a boot camp-style workout without class times for people of all ages. After 20 years in the health and fitness industry, Jeremy White launched the company and has grown it to three locations in Hamilton within two years.
Large Business (51-plus employees)
Walters Inc.
Founded in 1956, the family-owned steel construction company designs, fabricates and constructs commercial and industrial products throughout North America. Their work can be found in downtown cores and remote industrial sites, from public art exhibits to highrise buildings.
Young Entrepreneur (up to age 35)
Brandon Aubie — QReserve The software and technology firm started as a spin-out company from McMaster University in 2014 to help researchers find and use research equipment. It has expanded globally, growing to house tens of thousands of resources and helping thousands of people gain access to them.
Not For Profit
Indwell
For more than 40 years, Indwell has provided affordable housing and accessible options for vulnerable people. Over the past five years, Indwell has doubled its capacity to 411 homes with several hundred more units under construction and in development.
Accessibility
Indwell
Indwell’s history dates back to the early 1970s when Siny Prinzen and her late husband John saw a need for more support for vulnerable adults dealing with mental health issues. By 1974, The Homestead was born in downtown Hamilton, which offered support for families with adult children who had disabilities.
Century (for 100+ years of business in Hamilton)
The Hamilton Club Established by the “who’s who” of Hamilton in 1873, The Hamilton Club has maintained its location at the corner of Main and James for more than 145 years. Over that time, the club has added amenities and services to suit the changing needs of its members.