Vermont Business Magazine and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce have announced the three finalists for the Deane C Davis Outstanding Business of the Year Award: City Market, Kalow Technologies and Vermont Mutual Insurance Group. One of these impressive finalists will be named the Deane C Davis Outstanding Vermont Business of the Year 2017 on Thursday, May 24th at an awards presentation at the Vermont Chamber Business Expo’s opening ceremony at 9:45 am. The Vermont Business Expo will take place all day at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel Burlington (formally the Sheraton).
This year’s finalists exemplify the resourcefulness, innovation and success of Vermont’s statewide businesses. They all share a dedication to their employees, communities and Vermont’s natural environment. Each represents a unique story of vision, commitment and growth.
City Market
Celebrating their 45th year since starting as a buying club in the Old North End of Burlington, City Market Onion River Co-op is a consumer cooperative, with over 13,000 Members, selling wholesome food and other products, while building a vibrant, empowered community and a healthier world, all in a sustainable manner. Now with two locations, one in Downtown Burlington and their new location in the South End of Burlington.
John Tashiro, General Manager of City Market said, “We are incredibly excited and honored to be considered as a finalist for the 2017 DCD Outstanding Business of the Year Award! With over 13,500 Members across two locations and many community partners, we offer a large selection of local, organic and conventional foods, while building a vibrant, empowered community and a healthier world, all in a sustainable manner.”
Kalow Technologies LLC
Kalow Technologies has several strong connections to former Governor Davis’ legacy. Shortly after REDC and the City of Rutland opened the regional industrial park in North Clarendon, a small company called Kalow Controls moved in as the second business there in the mid-1980s. As they grew and expanded over the next four decades, they continued to be a strong, valued contributor to the area’s economy, community, and larger environment.
According to President Paul Van Huis, Kalowhas always believed that the people building equipment for our customers (boots on the ground) “are our most valuable asset. Our ‘Core Values’ that we live by and hire by come from the foundation of the Vermont work ethic.”
Kalowhas kept a flat organizational structure in an effort “to keep in touch with our employees and customers. We live by: ‘Tell us what you need - we’ll make it happen’. Rutland has taken a beating in the recent years. This award represents hope that things are moving in the right direction. Hope keeps people here in Vermont and with a willingness to try.”
Vermont Mutual Insurance Group
Vermont Mutual Insurance Group is proud that their strategy produces results that are closely aligned with the Deane C Davis Standards of Excellence.
They support a comprehensive recycling program. Over the past 5 years Vermont Mutual has increased sales 41%, have grown their policyholder surplus by 61% and increased their customer base to 307,000 customers. Vermont Mutual has added 52 full-time employees in the past 5 years, a 24% increase. In 2017 Vermont Mutual contributed over $300,000 through their Vermont Mutual Charitable Giving Fund to 125 worthy organizations in the communities where they live, work and do business.
To sum it up Vermont Mutual Insurance Group President and CEO, Daniel Bridge said, “While we’ve been fortunate to be recognized for our accomplishments in a number of areas, being named a finalist for the Deane C Davis Award is something very special to us because it reflects the committee’s favorable view of us when measured against the comprehensive Standards of Excellence used to evaluate the nominees.”
Deane Davis Award
To recognize and honor Vermont’s best companies, Vermont Business Magazine and the Vermont Chamber created the Deane C Davis Outstanding Business of the Year Award in 1990.
Named for the former Governor of Vermont, this annual award honors a Vermont business that shows an outstanding history of sustained growth while displaying an acute awareness of what makes Vermont unique. Commitment to the environment and dedication to employee relations are key components to receiving the award.
Join Vermont Business Magazine and the Vermont Chamber as they unveil this year’s award recipient at the Vermont Business Expo on Thursday, May 24, 2018 at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel Burlington at 9:45 am.
Vermont Business Magazine is the state's most respected business publication. Since 1972, VBM has published statewide business news, economic and political news and commentary, business and individual profiles, data, analysis and statistics.
The largest statewide, private, not-for-profit business organization, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce represents nearly every sector of the state’s corporate and hospitality community. Its mission is to create an economic climate conducive to business growth and the preservation of the Vermont quality of life.