The 2019 Bendigo Bank Macedon Ranges Business Excellence Awards hosted 28 elite businesses last Wednesday evening at Kyneton Town Hall to recognise business excellence and innovation within the Macedon Ranges Shire and what a night it was for Barker Trailers!
From creative industries, tourism, hospitality, to health and wellness, the diversity of our local business was in the spot light proving the Shire is a bustling, vibrant place to live and work.
Barker Trailers celebrated with three wins for the evening – Excellence in Trades, Construction and Manufacturing, Apprentice of the Year Award and taking out the coveted Business of the Year Award!
The Business of the Year Award acknowledges the importance of local businesses in providing growth and jobs in our community and a business where the entire community can benefit from such success. “At Barker we look to continually grow and develop our business & people so we can create more jobs and generate more economic benefit for the region while presenting a fantastic product for our valued customers.” says Simon Meadows, CEO.
Barker Trailers have a strong rich history within the region and are tried and trusted now for 45 years, crafting over 10,000 quality trailers which is testament to the skilled workforce from engineering and design, through to fabrication, mechanical activity, electrical, paint and full finish application and it was an absolute thrill to win the Excellence in Trades, Construction and Manufacturing Award.
Investment in people continues to be a major focus at the family owned business, building upon the skill depth and application to the craft that has been developed over the years, so it was very rewarding to have three Barker apprentices, Bailey Cooper, James Woollard and Mitchell Spencer named as finalists in the Apprentice of the Year category. It was James Woollard that was crowned Apprentice of the Year on the night though. James started as a first-year heavy fabrication apprentice. In two short years he is near completion and has many certificates under his belt. “I have a lot of aspirations and Barker have been extremely supportive of me. I’ve been given so many additional opportunities for further development both personally and professionally which proves if you are willing to work hard for the business and toward personal growth, you are very well rewarded and I look forward to working for Barker for many years to come” – James Woollard, Apprentice of the Year.
Scott Barker, Shareholder adds “We are very proud to have our business acknowledged so prominently at these awards. Our contribution in providing employment in the Macedon Ranges has always been a great source of pride for the Barker family and to have three of our apprentices named as finalists for Apprentice of the Year is a personal highlight – they are all winners to me”.
“Ongoing training and continuous improvement is key. It’s important to provide new opportunities with apprenticeships and invest in our people for continued growth and depth across the business.” adds Tracey Saines-Casey, People, Culture and Compliance Manager.
Barker Trailers are exceptionally proud to be acknowledged within our community for Excellence in Trades, Construction and Manufacturing, Apprentice of the Year, and Business of the Year categories amongst strong finalists whom all share the same passion and commitment to sustainable business.
Barker Trailers would like to take this opportunity to thank the community for your engagement and support and to our people who are, by far, our most valuable asset.