2009 Outstanding Business of the Year Award -

2009 Outstanding Business of the Year Award

amed after former Governor Deane C Davis (1900-1990) and co-sponsored by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and VermontBiz, the award is given to the Vermont company that embraces the unshakeable values that Davis brought to his office: enhancing the economy and championing the environment with the help of business and satisfied employees. Governor Deane C….

About this Event

Governor Deane C. Davis (1900 – 1990)

In 1968, at the age of 68, when most people look forward to enjoyment of retirement, Deane C. Davis was elected governor. Governor Davis brought considerable experience to the governor’s office (1969-1973), gleaned over many years as a lawyer, corporate officer and company president. He was a strong advocate of a sound economy based in a protected environment.

Governor Davis was known as the “Environmental Governor” because of his strong support for Act 250, which was enacted during his administration. He also championed a vigorous economic development program that resulted in the creation of the highly successful regional economic development corporations.

Criteria

The Standards of Excellence are the criteria that will be used in judging the nominees for the Outstanding Business of the Year Award. The following questions should be used as guidelines and examples for companies as they prepare their submissions for nomination. Please note, this award is designated to a for-profit business as the judging committee will take the growth of sales into consideration.

Demonstrated success by:

* Continued growth in number of employees and/or sales.
Does the company have a clear mission statement that allows sustainable growth for itself and its employees? Does the company’s goals and objectives create incentive for sustained growth? Does the company’s marketing strategy keep up with a constantly changing market place?

* Commitment of company resources, including employees to community projects.
Does the company have a community relations function at its corporate level? Does the company encourage employees to participate in community projects? Are company officers involved in community projects?

* Recognition of the environment as a natural and economic resource for Vermont.
Does company policy incorporate Vermont’s natural environment in the production or marketing of its product(s)? Is the company actively involved in the development of local, regional or state natural and economic environmental policies?

* Creation of a positive work environment for all employees.
Does the company involve its employees in operational policy creation? Does the company create incentives for employee participation in company and community projects? Does the company’s human resources policies provide for meaningful and continuing employee evaluation?

Standards of Excellence:

The Outstanding Business of the Year Award is the prestigious recognition of a company in Vermont who has met the highest standards of excellence in the past year to improving its sales, the work environment for its employees, and its contribution of its resources to its community.

The honoree has demonstrated success through:

Continued growth in number of employees or sales
Commitment of company resources, including employees to community projects
Recognition of the environment as a natural and economic resource for Vermont
Creation of a positive work environment for all employees

The economic well-being of Vermont rests squarely on the success of its businesses, large and small, which provide jobs, products, and services to consumers in Vermont, across the United States and around the world. Many companies in Vermont fully exemplify the Outstanding Vermont Business Standards of Excellence. They have used these standards as a guideline to improve their business, their employees and their community. These standards are relevant to all businesses, small and large.

Meeting the highest standards of excellence is the direct cause of the success of any business. Even if the market is ready and consumers are willing, the ability to attain the highest standards of excellence combined with a clear, definable mission statement is vital to any company’s longevity.

Eligibility:

To be eligible the nominated business must have its corporate headquarters in Vermont for at least 10 years. Subsidiaries of international corporations may also be nominated if their U.S. headquarters are based in Vermont and if they operate largely autonomously. Please note, this award is designated to a for-profit business as the judging committee will take the growth of sales into consideration.

General Information:

Anyone may nominate a business for the Outstanding Business of the Year Award. The nomination may be made by the business itself, a government agency, or interested individuals.

The screening committee may request additional information from nominators, references or the company itself for the judge’s consideration. All entries and supplementary materials will become the property of the VermontBiz and will not be returned. Decisions of the judging committee are final.

Because the Outstanding Business of the Year Award is designed to recognize the total commitment of a company, nominations should describe the entire scope of the company’s mission.

Accompanying Materials:

The online nomination form allows you to submit up to three supporting documents to your online nomination. Supporting documents are optional. Please submit as much background material as you feel necessary to support the statement. Additional materials may include, but are not limited to samples of company policies, mission statements, company annual reports, employee newsletters, program evaluation forms. If you are unable to submit accompanying materials online you may mail them to: VermontBiz, 365 Dorset Street, South Burlington, VT 05403.

Confidential Information:

In order for the Selection Committee to properly evaluate each application, it is helpful for us to have relevant information requested (sales figures and employee count). This information is CONFIDENTIAL and will not be shared with anyone other than the Selection Committee. Copies will be destroyed following the selection. Please include this information with your application.

OUTSTANDING BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS

1990 WALLACE ENTERPRISES

1991 C & S WHOLESALEGROCERS

1992 MCKENZIE MEATS

1993 PERRY RESTAURANT GROUP

1994 GREEN MOUNTAIN COFFEE ROASTERS

1995 VERMONT HEATING & VENTILATING

1996 MACKMOLDING COMPANY

1997 SMUGGLERS’ NOTCH RESORT

1998 VERMONT COUNTRY STORE

1999 CABOT CREAMERY

2000 WAITSFIELD CHAMPLAIN VALLEY TELECOM

2001 WILD APPLE GRAPHICS

2002 NRG SYSTEMS

2003 HUBBARDTON FORGE

2004 IDX

2005 KING ARTHUR FLOUR

2006 RSG

2007 SYMQUEST GROUP INC

2008 NATIONAL LIFE GROUP

Winners

BioTek Instruments, Inc.

BioTek Instruments, Inc. is a privately held and family-run business that was founded in 1968. The organization develops instruments used to facilitate the drug recovery process and to aid in the advancement of life science research. This evolving company is committed to continued financial growth, the welfare of its employees and reducing the company’s impact on the environment, making it a strong contender for this prestigious award. “BioTek’s dedication to its employees, the community, and the environment is impressive,” said Betsy Bishop, President of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. “This company exemplifies the spirit of Vermont business and is most deserving of the Deane C. Davis Outstanding Business distinction.” Aside from the Winooski location, BioTek maintains offices in Germany, France, Switzerland, the UK, Singapore, China, and India. All locations combined employ nearly 300 people, 259 of whom are located in Vermont. Since 2005, a 52 percent increase in its workforce encouraged BioTek to build a cutting-edge laboratory, adding 8,000 square feet to the Winooski property. With growing workforce numbers, the employee record reports an impressive retention rate with the average tenure of a BioTek employee exceeding 10 years and 18 percent averaging more than 20 years. The company has also shown great strides in sales and growth over the past five years. Since 2005, BioTek sales have increased 78 percent, a striking number given the recent economy. “BioTek has demonstrated many unique qualities that made it stand out in the crowded field of applicants seeking this highly respected award,” said John Boutin, Publisher of Vermont Business Magazine. “The company’s proven track record of success is to be commended.” BioTek management offers an open-door policy for the staff, encouraging thoughts on policy adjustments to decrease costs or increase employee satisfaction. Annual reviews are holistically approached, based on the individual in the present, past and with a focus on the future. BioTek also promotes continued education by offering 100 percent tuition reimbursement and a “Bonus Pool” that pays a uniform amount to each person, since every employee is considered an equal contributor to the company. BioTek’s commitment to employees is apparent and so is its dedication to the community. The organization encourages all staff to participate in community programs in order to strengthen the bond with the local community. Listed in the top five principals of BioTek’s mission statement is a pledge to reduce the company’s overall impact on the environment. In 2008, the company created a team of employees dedicated to continually promoting employee involvement in cleaning up its procedures. The “Green Team” coordinates with Efficiency Vermont and Chittenden Solid Waste District to ensure the preservation of Vermont’s natural environment. Since the team was established, BioTek expanded its original recycling program, upgraded its buildings to meet strict environmental codes, created a composting policy and switched to recycled, compostable materials. Employees are also encouraged to carpool to work or receive financial reimbursement for using a bicycle.