North Okanagan and Shuswap companies were among the winners at the Thompson Okanagan Business Excellence Awards.
The honours were handed out Thursday, June 19, in Kelowna.
Salmon Arm's 4AG Robotics won the Big Business of the Year Award (companies with $5-$10 million revenue). The robotics firm builds robots that pick, trim, and pack mushrooms to provide farmers robotic solutions to fully automate their farming operations, and to deliver consistently great quality, yield, and value.
"We engage in healthy debates and commit fully to achieving them," said 4AG on its website. "We believe that we will pull off what no other company has ever succeeded in."
Vernon-based Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery won the Wineries, Breweries and Distilleries Award. Okanagan Spirits is Western Canada's original craft distillery, making authentic, internationally awarded Canadian spirits from 100 per cent B.C. grain and fruit, with an additional location in Kelowna.
The company won 11 gold and five silver medals at the 2025 World Spirits Awards in German.
The Enterprise of the Year Award went to Big Country Equipment Repair out of Kamloops, whose CEO, Spencer Harrison, started the business as a one-man operation in 2017.
Big Country offers mechanical and welding services to forestry, construction, and mining customers.
Harrison's operation took the category for companies with more than $10 million in annual revenue.
The awards honour the best in businesses from Osoyoos to Kamloops over the last year in 17 different categories.
Other award winners included:
• Medium Business of the Year (Between $1-5 million revenue): Canada West Garage Door, Kelowna;
• Small Business of the Year (Less than $1 million revenue): Teal Diamond Contracting, Kelowna;
• Automotive Business of the Year: Swagman, Penticton;
• Construction & Development (Developers & General Contractors): Lake Valley Homes, West Kelowna;
• Construction Trades (Journeyman): Adera Windows & Doors, Kelowna;
• Construction Trades (Enterprise): Littco Enterprises, Kelowna;
• Environmental Sustainability Business of the Year: Trak International Green Energy Resources, Kelowna;
• Hospitality & Tourism: Four Points by Sheraton Kelowna Airport, Kelowna;
• Industrial Manufacturer (Journeyman): Always On UPS Systems Canada, Kelowna;
• Industrial Manufacturer (Enterprise): Northside Industries, West Kelowna;
• Non-Profit Organization of the Year: Project Literacy Central Okanagan Society, Kelowna;
• Professional Services Business of the Year: Urban Matters, Kelowna;
• Retail (Brick & Mortar/E-Commerce): Connects Wireless, Kelowna;
• Technology & Innovation Business of the Year: Innov8 Digital Solutions, Kelowna.
