Begun in 1984, its original intent was to publicly recognise outstanding businesses within the community.

The Quality Business Awards are now held annually to celebrate business excellence.

A record number of more than 800 people attended this year’s event, according to Business Chamber president Jye Segboer.

He attributed part of the success to the new judging process, which saw more than 60 independent judges using a system with greater transparency than previous years.

There were 29 awards up for grabs, including 11 customer service awards, 13 business-personal awards and a regional business of the year award.

We congratulate this year’s winners.

Tranquillity on Marius is Tamworth’s premium service clinic and day spa for men and women.

The team took out the excellence in customer service in hair and beauty award that was sponsored by BEST Employment.

Tranquillity offers beauty treatments, including facials, spas, massages, skin wraps, waxing pedicures and manicures.

For 55 years Goodwin Kenny has been selling and servicing tractors and agricultural machinery in the New England and north west and has been committed to providing a valuable service to the farming community.

Susan Goodwin and the staff at Goodwin Kenny were proud to be announced on the night as the winner of the excellence in workplace health and safety award.

Susan said in their own workplace there was a need for personal protective equipment, safe lifting practices, the right use of chemicals and OHS practices.

Goodwin Kenny carries out service work in their workshop and also on farms and Council sites. 

A state-of-the-art showroom, capable staff and smart marketing gave the edge to Choices Flooring at the Quality Business Awards.

The floor covering retailer won the large retail honours on the night of the awards.

“We were very excited to win,” joint owner and manager Joanne Russell said.

“Choices Flooring has been in business for 31 years and employs up to 18 people. The company offers an extensive range of domestic and commercial products displayed.”

Commercial work accounts for at least half of Choices Flooring’s turnover. 

The business is in Goonoo Goonoo Road.

Products range from carpet and timber to laminate, bamboo, vinyl, tiles and rugs.

PROVIDING students with excellent local training opportunities is a key to the success of Tamworth Community College.

The college has been a part of the Tamworth community for more than 30 years.

“The college recognises the importance of engaging the best employees and board members to achieve our mission and vision,” executive officer Michelle Simpson said.

“We’ve implemented a detailed workplace development initiative to support our team, to provide opportunities for career growth and to strengthen our overall workplace culture. 

“Receiving this award recognises the success of this initiative. 

PUTTING clients first has given Connect Hearing the winning edge, according to regional manager Steven O'Keefe.

The company, in Peel Street, Tamworth, won the excellence in customer service in health and wellbeing award.

“We’re elated and honoured by the win,” Mr O'Keefe said.

Connect Hearing Tamworth has been in business for the past 10 years and employs three people.

“We have a focus on solutions in achieving hearing goals for our clients,” Mr O'Keefe said.

The team includes clinician Simone Jolly and customer service representatives Carolyn Dwyer and Julie Miller.

MANUFACTURING, sales and solutions business Lysaght has been serving Tamworth and its surrounds for more than 30 years.

Its success and dedication to service were recognised when staff received the manufacturing, construction and rural award.

“The whole Lysaght Tamworth team were excited to be nominated and to actually win the award is whole new level,” branch manager Peter Soles said.

“A lot of hard work has been conducted by the team over many years, so to be acknowledged externally is very satisfying.”

Lysaght employs 14 staff, as well as contractors.

It supplies quality, 100 per cent Australian made BlueScope Steel building products to the construction market in the north and north west regions of NSW.

Roberts Mechanical and Alignment Centre is a family owned and operated business that carries out service work and repairs on all types of cars and four-wheel-drive vehicles.

The business, in Denison Street, Tamworth, won the excellence in customer service in motor transport award.

“We are a Kumho tyre platinum dealer and we specialise in wheel alignments and steering and suspension repairs,” proprietor Jo Roberts said.

“I believe our commitment to providing quality product, value for money, honesty and reliable service gave us the winning edge.

“We are customer focused and friendly, we aim to go that little bit further to make sure our customers want to return.”

Roberts’ Mechanical has been owned for the past 15 years by Mark and Jo Roberts but has actually been established for more than 30 years.

The business employs six staff; three mechanics, one apprentice and two administrative assistants.

“We feel overwhelmed by the win,” Ms Roberts said.

A DEDICATION to being an employer of choice in the region has helped Sigma Aerospace notch key wins at the quality business awards.

Sigma is an aircraft maintenance and repair organisation.

It has been honoured for

“Driving continuous improvement in everything that we do gave us the winning edge,” Sigma chief executive Matthew Wheatley said.

Termites and common pests such as spiders and cockroaches are just some of the pesky house guests on the radar of Haynes Pest Management.

The company’s success in eradicating such pests from homes across the New England and North West was recognised at the awards when it won excellence in customer service in trades and services.

“It was an honour just to be recognised and nominated for the awards, but to take out the prize, wow, I still don’t think there are enough words to describe how we all feel,” Haynes Pest Management administration manager Kate Fisher said.

Haynes Pest Management has been in business for 20 years and employs 12 staff.

“We’re a locally owned company providing safe, effective and affordable pest control solutions for home and business owners,” Ms Fisher said.   

“Our qualified and insured technicians specialise in domestic, commercial and industrial pest control using only the safest methods.