John Davis Motors, Orange and Forbes won business of the year and 2015 excellence in business following a successful year at the dealership and was one of five Orange businesses to win awards at the Bathurst ceremony.

Dealer principal Ben Davis said he was shocked and excited to win the awards.

“We thought we were in with a chance with excellence in business with 20, when we won that it was fantastic but to win business of the year that was a big shock, you cannot hope for better than that,” Mr Davis said.

“We’ve had growth year on year for the last 10 years but the last two years has been fantastic.

“We’ve had a bit of a run lately with awards but it’s all down to staff, we have fantastic staff, we work very hard and love what we do.”

In the last two years, the dealership has added a Renault franchise and increased sales by 17 per cent, they were also named Volvo dealer of the year in 2014 and was the only Volvo dealer to meet its target in Australia.

Orange clothing store Bobbies, formerly Bobbie McGees implemented a range of marketing, stock control and technology plans resulting in a 12 per cent net increase in profit from the previous financial year and won excellence in small business.

Orange based design consultancy for the mining and manufacturing sectors Trang Imagineering won excellence in innovation for the recent introduction of a web based project management system.

Alive Health, Orange won excellence in business ethics for setting up a new charity, Humanity Under Guidance and Support for people who are underprivileged. 

Green Homes Australia, also based in Orange also won the excellence in sustainability Award. The business is a nationally recognised building company that now has 18 franchises operating nationwide. Its design and construction process is run at an international standard, above Australia's domestic standards, for energy management and efficiency. 

tanya.marschke@fairfaxmedia.com.au