Right: Russell LaCombre from Ductmakers accepts the company’s nomination.By Shaun Inguanzo
A CAR WRECKER, a metal manufacturer and air-conditioning duct maker are the latest companies to have been nominated for the Premier Regional Business Awards.
The awards are run by the Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce, and there are five nomination breakfasts each year, at which a total of 15 nominees are revealed.
The awards culminate with a gala evening where the award winners of each category, as well as the Premier Regional Business Award, are announced.
The awards are judged by a panel of business experts from Greater Dandenong, and each judge is required to visit each nominee in order to assess their suitability for the award.
This week, the Chamber of Commerce revealed its latest nominees: Total Auto Recyclers, Actco-Pickering Metal Industries and Ductmakers.
The three companies were recognised during a breakfast at the Sandhurst Club on Wednesday, at which Trevor O’Hoy, CEO of Fosters, was guest speaker.
Total Auto Recyclers managing director Michael Third accepted the award and said his company recycled parts from more than 500 automobiles every month.
The company began in 1979 before moving to its Greens Road location in 1982.
It also has an End of Life Vehicles (ELV) facility in Dandenong-Frankston Road, at which it recovers hazardous or dangerous chemicals and wastes.
Actco-Pickering Metal Industries (APMI) is a sheet metal fabricator that works with aluminium, stainless steel and other metals selling to transport, defence, architectural, chemical, petroleum mining and food manufacturing.
Among its reasons for nomination are that it has a policy of employing people with disabilities, it works with local schools, has been active within business networking groups in Greater Dandenong, has developed an efficient in-house software system and has directors that are ‘hands-on’ with the business.
Ductmakers was represented by general manager Russell LaCombre, who said his company was formed by three air-conditioning rivals to supply ducts and related materials.
Because of its association with three companies, Ductmakers does not have to focus on marketing, sales or promotional material.
The company has worked on large projects such as the MCG redevelopment, the Royal Children’s Hospital and Royal Women’s Hospital redevelopments, Southern Cross Station and an ANZ Bank facility at Docklands.
