2024 Greater Shepparton’s
Business Excellence Awards
2024 HALL OF FAME WINNER
Watters Electrical
A spark of success Pictured from left are Charlie Caruso, Reg Hickey, Kate Ryan, Ros Knaggs, Robin Knaggs, Blake Knaggs, Matt Hanlon, Casey Eckel and Nick Lucarelli. Photo: Emma Harrop
Watters Electricals’ legacy lights up Hall of Fame continued from front page THE Greater Shepparton Business Network (GSBN) hosts the annual Business Excellence Awards, proudly supported by SPC. The awards celebrate the achievements of the local businesses community, recognising enterprises that play an integral role in Greater Shepparton. To be inducted into the Hall of Fame, a business must have demonstrated consistent excellence over many years, significantly contributing to the local community. Founded in 1957 by Shepparton electrician Lance Watters at LT & WE Watters, the business was purchased by his nephew, Robin Knaggs in 1979 and renamed Watters Electrical Pty Ltd. Whilst Watters is now a large robust electrical contracting business, and as big as the large metro contractors, one of its greatest attributes is that it has remained a locally owned family business now with 67 years of trading history, currently employing 260 FTE staff, including 71 apprentices. Watters’ growth through the 80s and 90s was phenomenal. Rob and the team secured some major contracts including the fit out of the old and new casinos in Melbourne, and even the cabling of the massive Eureka tower in Southbank. Experiencing massive success, in 2009 Rob accepted an offer to sell the business, giving him and the family time to take on new challenges. While the Watters name remained, the new
owners’ internal merging strategies did not prove successful. Some three years later, Rob accepted an offer to buy back the business and reopened it as Watters, limiting branches to the current Shepparton, Wangaratta and Albury sites. Renewed financial investment and the ability to secure major projects while still focussing on day-to-day community support now anchor s the business. While serving residential customers with pride, Watters now also has the scale and f in a n c i a l s tr u c tu re s to deliver large regional projects like Greater Shepparton Secondary College, Sheppar ton Law Courts and massive solar farms across the GV. The business still has a strong family focus with Robin still the owner of Watters, and day-to-day operations managed by Robin’s son, Blake, step-daughter, Kate, and nephew, Tim. Further, Watters has been an employer of choice for many years, supporting young people in particular to pursue an electrical apprenticeship. In a time where electrical services are in highdemand, and the need to cultivate a strong
Pictured centre is Paul Phillips, owner of 2023 Hall of Fame inducted business Phillips Cellars and Regional Wine Centre, with Ros and Robin Knaggs of Watters Electrical, the 16th business to be added to the coveted list. Pictured left is Robin Knaggs Photo: Emma Harrop workforce has never been more front-of-mind, Watters are meeting the demands of the industry while seeking to future proof it. From residential services supporting local families to major commercial and industrial projects, Watters Electrical is equipped to handle jobs of all sizes. The company is the largest solar provider in the region and one of the few licensed to deliver high-voltage services, underscoring its
specialised expertise. With an impressive portfolio that includes some of the largest construction projects in the region, Watters Electrical remains a trusted and essential part of the community’s continuous growth and infrastructure. Congratulations to Robin Knaggs and the whole team at Watters Electrical for their deserving recognition and contributions to excellence in business.
“The diversity (of business) is a superpower that needs to be celebrated” - GSBN’s Steven Schneider THE 27th annual Business Excellence Awards, presented on Friday, October 25, saw a large crowd of around 445 guests come to Riverlinks Eastbank to hear which local businesses and individuals had been crowned the best in their field. Congratulations to all award recipients inside this feature, and to all nominees. Not only was there a large crowd, but Greater Shepparton Business Network (GSBN) reported a notable uptick in the number of nominations this year. Without the generous support of naming rights sponsor SPC, award category sponsors, the support of media partners – LiSTNR, WIN TV and The Adviser, and the hard work of GSBN board members who organise these annual awards, the Business Excellence Awards would not be possible or continue to grow. Stephen Schneider, GSBN president, thanked everyone involved and highlighted that there are more than 5,000 registered businesses
operating in Greater Shepparton. “That includes home-based startups to farming enterprises, manufacturing, processing, industry, trade, and professional services, hospitality, tourism, retail and so much more,” Stephen said. “This diversity is a superpower that needs to be celebrated and why we have such a comprehensive Business Awards programme. “I don’t envy the task of our team of independent judges who have undertaken a very rigorous process of reviewing each and every finalist to assess who has earned the title of ‘Greater Shepparton’s Best in 2024.’” 2024 Business Excellence Award winners: • Apprentice/Trainee of the Year... Xavier Hutchison, SPC • Best Marketing/Advertising Campaign... Trelly’s Outdoor • Emerging & Micro Business of the Year... Tricon Electrical Group • Excellence in Business – Professional Services... So Creative
• Excellence in Business – Retail Services... Everyday Supplies • Excellence in Business – Trade Services... Game Traffic and Contracting • Excellence in Customer Service – Professional Services... Sonia Strachan, GV Health
• Excellence in Customer Service – Retail/Hospitality Services... Elsewhere at SAM
• Excellence in Customer Service – Trade Services... Brett Collins Refrigeration and Greg Pearson Building
• Excellence in Food & Agribusiness... Flavorite Tatura • Excellence in Innovation... JMB Modular Buildings • Visitor Experience of the Year... Museum of Vehicle Evolution (MOVE) • Young Professionals of the Year... James Lelliot, GV Health and Jenica Mendoza, SPC
• Hall of Fame... Watters Electrical • Outstanding Achievement... Cardamone Real Estate
The Adviser. Australia No.1:1737 Wednesday, October 30, 2024 – Page 17