Cambridge appliance store supreme Waipa business

SUPREME TEAM: Happy Selectrix Retravision Cambridge team members (from left) Leon Bloxham, Michelle McWatters, Gladys Scaramuzza, Vicki Carran, owner Joe Scaramuzza, Furniture manager Dennis McEwen, Selectrix Retravision manager Justin Bax, Grahame Harris, Jeff Hassman and Zack Trotter celebrate their win in the Waipa Networks Business Awards.

Chamber president sets a fine example

By Dean Taylor

Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce president Chris Smith, a long time organiser and supporter of the annual Te Awamutu, then Waipa, Business Awards was on the receiving end this year. In the prestigious Trustpower sponsored Te Awamutu Best Customer Choice category, Mr Smith’s Te Awamutu Selectrix was voted the winner over runners-up Ace Lawnmowers and Rickits Mitre 10.

The winner of this section takes out the title on the completely unsolicited results of a public vote by Trustpower customers and is often regarded as the real test of success.

Ace Lawnmowers has been a regular finalist or winner for a number of years.

The Selectrix team did extremely well, although most of the accolades went to the Cambridge based Selectrix Retravision. As well as taking out the overall Supreme Business title, they were joint winners of the Cambridge Best Customer Choice award, winner of the Te Awamutu Courier Waipa Excellence in Marketing and a finalist in the ANZ Bank Waipa Excellence in Education.

The Selectrix Retravision Fun Run was a finalist in the Rosetown Print Excellence in Non-Profit and Selectrix Home Furnishing was a semi-finalist in both the Waipa District Council Waipa Excellence in Innovation and Chamber sponsored Cambridge Best Customer Service Retail Business categories. Te Awamutu Selectrix also made the semi-finals in the same category for Te Awamutu businesses.

As well as these fine results, there were a number of other winners and finalists.

The Olde Creamery on Kaipaki Road took out the Chamber-sponsored Waipa Best Service Trade Businesses award from Tony Fabish Panelworks and John Framp Auto Electrical, and Rhapsody Outdoor Furniture won the Waipa Best Customer Service Manufacturing award from Apperley Roundwood and Timber and Widespan Buildings.

Te Awamutu Customer Service award for a Professional Business went to Gyde Wansbone Chartered Accountants from Bruce’s Fitness Centre and The Veterinary Centre.

Te A’ Cycles won the corresponding award for Retail Business from Beamish Gemtime Jewellers and Trade Aid.

The Cambridge Edition sponsored Waipa Excellence in Tourism award was won by Out in the Styx. Te Awamutu I Site was also a finalist.

Runners-up in Education were Heathcotes Appliances Te Awamutu and Gyde Wansbone Chartered Accountants, who were also finalists in the Marketing category.

Bruce’s Fitness Centre took out the Excellence in Innovation award from Out in the Styx and The Garden Art Studio.