by John Boutin, Vermont Business Magazine
VermontBiz and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce the winner of the prestigious and highly anticipated Outstanding Business of the Year Award 2023, this year’s winner is Bourne’s Energy. The Award will be presented to Bourne’s Energy at the opening session of the Vermont Economic Conference on January 30th at the UVM Dudley Davis Center.
Bourne’s Energy is an independent, local, family-owned-and-operated energy business that has been around for 75 years. Bourne’s Energy is considered a leading-edge innovator when it comes to the environment and its future.
“For 75 years Bourne’s Energy has been proudly serving the communities of Vermont. We firmly believe that much of our long-term success stems from our commitment to support those who support us - whether that’s sponsoring a community arts program, a scholarship, or lending our support during a flood. Our ‘use less, give more’ mentality is in the fabric of who we are as a family and as a company” said Owner Peter Bourne.
Co-Owner Mike Bourne added that, “We are honored to receive the Outstanding Business of the Year award. This award is really a reflection on the quality of the people we have. How we work together for our customers is part of what sets us apart. We feel it is our duty as a leader in the fuel industry to forge the path for Vermonters to reduce their carbon footprint with environmentally friendlier heating fuels and high-efficiency equipment that are affordable and easy to implement. I speak for the entire Bourne’s Energy work family in thanking the Vermont Chamber and Vermont Business Magazine for this award.”
Bourne’s Energy’s company culture is built around the desire to do the right thing. Their prices are fair, their service is excellent, they go out of the way for their customers. Their products and services, the fuels they provide, the equipment they sell, the service plans they offer, are all with the goal of helping Vermonters consume less fuel, less carbon. It goes against the grain. But this plan has enabled Bourne’s Energy to work on the business instead of in the business. They have a plan to be green and a plan to do the right thing for the customer. Because it’s what’s right for Vermont.
Bourne’s Energy cares about where they live. Treating others well, along with treating where they live well, is at their core as an organization. As a company they believe that being active in their community is the best way to grow their company in every way. When they take care of their community, they earn goodwill with residents and they earn a good reputation as a place people want to work. They support a lot of non-profits and community initiatives.
Bourne's employees capture and secure propane tanks during the July 2023 flood. Courtesy photo.
“This annual award honors a Vermont business that shows an outstanding history of sustained growth in sales and/or employees, a commitment to their community, recognition of the environment as a natural and economic resource for Vermont and the creation of a positive work environment for all employees while displaying an acute awareness of what makes Vermont unique, and Bourne’s Energy certainly exceeded these criteria’s. The award was created 34 years ago by VermontBiz and the Vermont Chamber to recognize and honor the state’s best companies” said John Boutin, Publisher, VermontBiz.
“The list of past winners is a virtual who’s who of businesses in Vermont. We have so many outstanding businesses in Vermont that reflect much of what we see throughout our state’s economy,” said Vermont Chamber President Betsy Bishop.
DEANE C. DAVIS OUTSTANDING
VERMONT BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS
1990 WALLACE ENTERPRISES
1991 C & S WHOLESALE GROCERS
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
2009 BIOTEK INSTRUMENTS INC
2010 SMALL DOG ELECTRONICS
2011 FOLEY FAMILY OF COMPANIES
2012 GW PLASTICS, INC.
2013 DEALER.COM
2014 CHAMPLAIN CABLE
2015 PC CONSTRUCTION
2016 MARATHON HEALTH
2017 VERMONT MUTUAL INSURANCE GROUP
2018 GREEN MOUNTAIN POWER
2019 CHROMA TECHNOLOGY CORP.
2020 LAWSON’S FINEST LIQUIDS
2021 HEALTHY LIVING MARKET AND CAFÉ
2022 HICKOK & BOARDMAN INSURANCE GROUP
2023 BOURNE’S ENERGY
VermontBiz is the state's most respected business publication. Since 1972, VermontBiz has published statewide business news, economic and political news and commentary, business and individual profiles, data, analysis, and statistics.
The Vermont Chamber is the largest statewide, private, not-for-profit business organization, they represent every sector of the state’s business community. Its mission is to create an economic climate conducive to business growth and the preservation of the Vermont quality of life.
Burlington, VT (January 4, 2024) – VermontBiz