ABEX AWARDS
Diamonds of Detroit and Alliance Energy Ltd. took home top honours this year.
For the first time in the history of the Achievers in Business Excellence (ABEX) Awards, the business of the year award was shared between two companies.
Diamonds of Detroit and Alliance Energy Ltd. were both named business of the year at the gala-hosted by the Saskachewan Chamber of Commerce Saturday in Saskatoon.
Diamonds of Detroit owner Michelle Bankowski said she had to thank her high school principal for being the key to her success.
“In Grade 10 he took me into his office and he politely asked me to leave school,” she said. “He thought that I was better suited for the working world.” He was right, she said. Bankowski started Diamonds of Detroit in 1985 with the innovative slogan, “Quality comes in a burgundy box.”
“See success before it arrives and visualize what your business is going to look like,” she told the young entrepreneurs in the audience.
It was an apt time for Alliance to win the major award as it is celebrating its 100th year in business.
“We keep reinventing our company and that’s what’s keeps us young,” said CEO Paul McLellan of the employee-owned company that provides electrical and Maintenance services throughout the province.
The 2013 Hall of Fame inductee was Anderson Pump House Ltd.
Anderson Pump House, like the ABEX Awards themselves, is celebrating its 30th year. Besides being a provider of water system products, Anderson distributes piping, valves, and fittings and plumbing related products.
Ron Carson of Carson Energy Services Ltd. was named Business Leader of the Year. Carson founded the company in 1974 with eight staff and by 1985 had grown to 100 employees. In 2011 Flint Energy Services acquired the company and today employs more than 1,100 people.
Young Entrepreneur honours went to Kelly Burns of KDB Investments. Burns started with two hotdog carts in 2003 and now runs the Browns Socialhouse restaurants in Regina, Saskatoon, Vancouver and Vernon, B.C. And there will soon be a Browns in Moose Jaw and Yorkton.
“I started out slinging hotdogs to inebriated people outside the bar. Now I sling burgers to inebriated people inside the bar,” Burns joked.