Businesses win hat-trick

By Sarah Schwager
THREE Dandenong businesses were nominated for the Premier Regional Business Awards at the Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce business breakfast yesterday.
The three businesses were recognised for their outstanding work in business and their contribution to the community.
Lisa Pham accepted the nomination on behalf of retail nail salon Crystal Nails and Supply in McCrae Street, Dandenong, which opened in November 2002, taking over from an op shop.
Ms Pham, who grew up in Keysborough, decided to start her business in Dandenong after completing her training at the International Nail and Beauty College of Australasia.
She now runs four separate businesses, including a beauty training course, a wholesale supply and distribution store to nail salons throughout Australia, and a shoe retailing and manufacturer outlet.
The nail salon has won a number of awards since starting up, most notably the 2004 Australian Achievers Award in the beauty category.
Ms Pham said she planned to set up stores around Australia, with plans to expand the shoe operation in Fountain Gate and a direct factory outlet in Spencer Street.
Trailer and caravan distributor AL-KO International in Nathan Road, Dandenong South, was also nominated for its significant growth and employee loyalty.
Managing director Sven Mannfolk, who has been with the business since 1989, helped expand what was a small engineering company in South Melbourne to a business with 65 employees Australia-wide and a substantial manufacturing base in Dandenong.
The family-owned business is in its third generation and operates in 40 countries, specialising in vehicle technology, garden products and air technology.
Keynote speaker James Sturgess said AL-KO was a worthy nominee in the areas of employment, innovation and service excellence.
The third award winner was Transpacific Technical Services on Ordish Road, Dandenong, accepted by state manager Greg Pfeifer.
The integrated waste service company recently had a major organisational change, changing its name from Nuplex Environmental at the start of this month.
The company handles the safe collection and transportation of waste using a fleet of modern specially built vacuum tankers with chemical resistant internal coatings.
The facility is unique in being able to treat mercaptan contaminated spent caustic and wastes with a high percentage of ammonium, which is particularly relevant to the refinery industries in Victoria.