London, Ontario — On Wednesday, Carfax Canada headlined the list the winners and took home the prize in in the large-business category.
“Really simple thing we do, really passionate employees,” a phrase vice-president of sales, Shawn Vording said as he accepted the trophy on behalf of Carfax. According to Vording, that simple phrase sums up their company’s success.
Carfax’s American counterpart has noticed the Canadian operation, and the London office now has remote teams serving the U.S market from headquarters here, said Vording.
“Not only has CARFAX Canada experienced success by drawing on the incredible talent London has to offer, but CARFAX in the U.S. has recently hired remote teams based in London as well. This set up allows us to leverage synergies across the business in the name of achieving our joint mission; to help used car buyers and sellers make better decisions about vehicles. London has been a great home for CARFAX and we’re looking forward to our continued growth,” says CARFAX Canada President and GM, Mark Rousseau.
Carfax, a Canadian company, provides information about second-hand vehicles to prospective buyers.
At the Wednesday event, Carfax beat out food giant Nestle, software supplier PSD and service plan provider, Zucora Home.
Other winners included, Mobials Inc., in the medium-sized business category and the Forest City Sport and Social Club, in the small-business category.
The corporate icon award was presented to Trojan Technologies, who consider themselves a steward of the world’s most precious recourse, clean water. The company is home to 900 employees around the world and is committed to continuous improvement by challenging themselves.
“It’s been many, many years reaching this point,” said Trojan boss Stephen Bell as he received the honour.
Voices.com won the beyond-borders category, an award that recognizes the companies that have expanded globally. Strathroy’s Slegers Living Organic Greens got best agricultural business and the London InterCommunity Health Centre, was recognized for excellence in human resources
One of the biggest awards was environmental leadership and that award went to Burnbrae Farms Ltd. for its solar poultry operation. And lastly, Renix was selected as the winner in the innovation category.
The Business Achievement Awards are an annual event recognizing excellence among London businesses. Carfax started growing roots in the Forest City part of London back in the year 2000. This year marks the 37th time this event has been held.
The ceremony was live-streamed for ticketholders, after COVID-19 concerns forced organizers to shift the event into a hybrid online/in-person model because of the large in-person gathering restrictions.
Before the award winners were announced, Chamber CEO Gerry Macartney noted the event in the typical year attracts 1, 300 people in-person. This time around, only 50 people could gather at the event.
“This year is anything but typical, I think some of you may be watching at home in your yoga pants,” joked Macartney on live stream. He also called the show the largest virtual business awards in Canadas history.”
London’s mayor Ed Holder, a former chamber president, was present and representing the council at the awards ceremony.
“You provide the lifeblood of income for so many families across the region,” said Mayor Holder, adding that the finalists are “the best and brightest in London and Canada.”
