Two young women from Midale who formed the Three Farmers Products brand, along with a class of students from the Weyburn Comprehensive School, were honoured at the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce’s ABEX Awards on Saturday evening. The gala event, in its 33rd year, showcased the world class businesses and business leaders that contribute so much to Saskatchewan.
Elysia Vandenhurk and Natasha Vandenhurk (Three Farmers Products) received the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
With Elysia’s background as a Red Seal Chef, Natasha’s expertise in economics, and their combined passion for agriculture, the two women partnered to form a food brand that offers healthy, quality, products with full supply chain transparency to their customers, who increasingly want to know where their food comes from. Three Farmers has grown from a locally recognized brand in 2011 to a nationally recognized phenomenon sold in over 2000 locations in Canada.
The evening was augmented by student achievement, as students from Weyburn Comprehensive`s Junior Achievement Company Program were on hand to receive the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Company of the Year Award.
This award is presented to only one Junior Achievement class in Canada each year and it is the second year in a row that a company formed by students from the Weyburn Comp has won the national Company of the Year Award.
The class of 17 students, and their teacher Margot Arnold, received the award from the province`s Minister of Education, Don Morgan.
“While all of the finalists were very deserving, Hillberg & Berk was selected as Business of the Year. “They continue to grow at an incredible pace and exceed their corporate goals on every level. They truly are a world-class, Saskatchewan success story and we are exceptionally proud of them.” said Steve McLellan, CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber. The Business of the Year Award is sponsored by David Aplin Group.
Inducted into the Saskatchewan Business Hall of Fame was Prairie Mud Service, an oil industry supplier from Estevan owned by Ray and Doris Frehlick.
“Ray and Doris built their business through true Saskatchewan determination. It’s not easy to ride the waves of the oil sector, but their long-term success can be attributed to their belief that if you work hard, look after customers, employees and the communities served by the business, success will follow, and it has. The Saskatchewan Chamber felt it was a natural fit for Prairie Mud to be included in the Business Hall of Fame,” McLellan said.
Pat Tenney won the Roger Phillips Chamber Builder Award for her 18 year involvement with the Lloydminster Chamber. During her tenure as the Executive Director, the Lloydminster Chamber made significant contributions toward the expansion of business in that region.
Gavin Semple was on hand to accept the Business Leader of the Year Award, sponsored by Saskatchewan Polytechnic. For over 40 years, The Brandt Group of Companies have thrived under Gavin’s steady guidance.
In addition to the Business of the Year, Hall of Fame, Roger Phillips Chamber Builder Award and Business Leader of the Year, 10 ABEX category awards were presented to the pool of 55 finalists this year.
