Vermont Business Magazine and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce have selected the three finalists for the Deane C Davis Outstanding Business of the Year Award: Bond Auto Parts, Champlain Cable Corporation, and S.D. Ireland. One of these impressive finalists will be named the Deane C. Davis Outstanding Vermont Business of the Year on Thursday, May 21 in an awards presentation ceremony that kicks off the 31st annual Vermont Chamber Business & Industry EXPO. The award winner will be announced at 10 am in the foyer of the Sheraton Burlington Conference Center.
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.
Bond Auto Parts is headquartered in Barre, VT and is led by a dynamic group of people – they just happen to all be family members. Started in 1956 by Mary and Earl Bond, the Bond family is in their 3rd generation of family ownership and they work on a daily basis to ensure that Bond Auto Parts is as successful as possible and an industry leader. Over the past 59 years the company has expanded to having 23 stores in VT, 17 in NH, 2 in NY and 3 stores in MA. Bond Auto Parts is the largest Vermont based auto parts supplier serving equally the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets. Bond is currently ranked as the 17th largest auto parts chain in America. With a focus on workforce and a commitment to the community, Bond Auto Parts embodies the business excellence representative of the Deane C. Davis award, making them a strong contender in the race for this distinction.
Champlain Cable Corporation is a privately held specialty wire and cable manufacturer founded and headquartered in Vermont since 1956. Brothers Leroy and Wilford Torville along with their partner Marshall Moon started American Super-Temp Wires, Inc. (now Champlain Cable) in Winooski, VT utilizing space in the Champlain Mill, the Woolen Mill, and the Old Foundry. In 1965, the three sites were consolidated into one 200,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Colchester, VT. Today, the Colchester, VT location is still the company’s main manufacturing facility, its research and development center, the designer and manufacturer of its most complex cables, the center for the manufacture of Hybrid Electric Vehicles, and also houses its corporate headquarters. Showcasing the essence of business growth while maintaining a strong commitment to the wellbeing of employees and the community, Champlain Cable Corporation has risen to the top and easily stands among the top three competitors for the Deane C. Davis distinction.
S.D. Ireland – The vision of Stuart D. Ireland that led him to purchase an out of service concrete batch facility in 1975 and create the S.D. Ireland Concrete Construction Company continues to evolve 39 years later with his sons Scott and Stephen at the helm. Their unique capacity to sense the market place and initiate diversified offerings has created a solid foundation for growth and expansion of the products and services that the company can now provide to its clients and customers. Continued growth, happy employees, giving back to the community and finding ways to use and conserve natural resources make up the key foundation pillars of S.D. Ireland. Over the past 10 years they have increased gross sales by 30 million dollars and have added more than 195 employees. From the most basic precast or redi-mix product to the most complicated industrial or heavy construction contracts, S.D. Ireland is dedicated to provide their client base with quality, safety and value at every level of service. S.D. Ireland strives for continued growth and even further community contributions. Their dedication makes S.D. Ireland a strong competitor in the race for this award.
To recognize and honor Vermont’s best companies, the Vermont Chamber and Vermont Business Magazine 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.
Last year's winners, Dealer.com in Burlington. VBM photo
Join the Vermont Chamber and Vermont Business Magazine as we unveil this year’s award recipient at the Vermont Chamber Business & Industry EXPO on Thursday, May 21 at 10 am during the Opening Ceremonies.
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.