GMP, GW Plastics, Instrumart named finalists for Deane C Davis Award

This years competition for the highly anticipated Deane C Davis Outstanding Business of the Year Award was impressive. All of the Vermont businesses who applied for this prestigious award were worthy but only three could be named as finalists. The finalists this year are Green Mountain Power of Colchester, GW Plastics of Bethel, and Instrumart of South Burlington. All three businesses exemplify the standards by which the Deane C Davis Outstanding Business Award nominees are judged. The Award is presented by Vermont Business Magazine and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce.
One of these impressive finalists will be named the Deane C Davis Outstanding Vermont Business of the Year on Wednesday, May 22. The award presentation ceremony will kick off the 29th annual Vermont Chamber Business & Industry EXPO. Governor Peter Shumlin will present the award at 10 am in the foyer of the Sheraton Burlington Conference Center. Until that time, one of the most important traditions of the award will remain intact; the winners identity is kept secret, even from the finalists, until the moment the award is presented.
This years finalists exemplify the resourcefulness, innovation and success that radiates from all corners of the state capturing the essence of Vermont business. All share in common a dedication to their employees, communities and Vermonts natural environment. However, each tells a unique story of vision, commitment and growth.
Green Mountain Power is a local electricity utility in the state of Vermont focused on providing its customers with a balance of the most reliable, affordable, smart, and clean electricity, in an effort to be the best small utility in America. GMP is an investor-owned electric utility that has served Vermont since 1893. In 2012, GMP more than doubled in size with the historic acquisition of Central Vermont Public Service. By combining resources, the merger created one stronger company with more efficient distribution of resources, equipment, and facilities throughout a more contiguous service territory. The company currently serves almost 260,000 customers in 202 Vermont towns in a 7,500 square mile service territory.
GW Plastics, with its World Headquarters located in Bethel, Vermont, has built a reputation as one of Vermonts most respected employers and successful manufacturers. Recognized as a global industry leader in plastics manufacturing, GWs focus is on high technology injection molding, tooling and contract manufacturing of precision thermoplastic and silicone components and assemblies for the worlds most successful companies. During the last two decades, the company has expanded four times in Vermont, investing tens of millions of dollars in equipment, facilities and training while doubling its Vermont employment to more than 300 associates with over 900 associates worldwide.
Instrumart is a leading supplier of Test & Measurement instruments with headquarters in South Burlington, Vermont and a regional office in southern California. With a tagline, Theres an engineer behind everything we sell, and an engaging logo, Instrumart makes buying industrial and laboratory instruments personable. From Air Velocity Meters to Spectrophotometers and Refractometers, Instrumart engineers will connect customers with the right product for an application the first time, and back it up with lifetime technical support. One of the key criteria associated with the Deane C. Davis Award is the commitment to community. Instrumart not only encourages employees to be active in community projects, but every employee is granted up to 40 hours per year for volunteer time.
In an effort to recognize and honor Vermonts best companies, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce 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.
Join the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and Vermont Business Magazine as we unveil this years award recipient at the Vermont Chamber Business & Industry EXPO on Wednesday, May 22 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 Vermont Chamber of Commerce, the largest state-wide private, not-for-profit business organization, represents nearly every sector of the state's corporate/hospitality community. Our mission is to create an economic climate conducive to business growth and the preservation of the Vermont quality of life.