Langley business achievers were honoured Saturday at the 13th annual Business Excellence Awards event.

The event is organized by the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce. This year, there were 27 nominees in six separate categories.

Jim McGregor was master of ceremonies for the event at the Summit Theatre at the Cascades Casino, and chamber president Roberto Farina and award sponsors handed out the awards.

Milt Kruger of On Line Collision was named recipient of the George Preston Memorial Business Person of the Year award — an award which was won by the late Mr. Preston in 1989, when the chamber instituted it.

Milt and his wife Kim opened On Line Collision in 1990 at its current location on Fraser Highway at 216 Street. Since the opening day, he has strived to operate, nurture and grow the business that today employs 16 individuals. He believes in treating people openly, honestly and fairly, always keeping your promises, delivering on your responsibilities and being accountable.

On Line Collision has developed a reputation in the industry, and is on the ‘A’ list of all industry suppliers. It has become known as a business that vendors wanted to do business with. Kruger championed innovative processes to the business and the industry. He supports community groups and organizations through volunteering, donations and sponsorships.

Carlo Bonetti of Bonetti Freezer Meats won the award for customer service — for the second time. The company also won the award in 2002.

The 248 Street business has been family-owned and operated for over 36 years. An old-fashioned butcher shop right down to the brown paper wrapping, it offers custom cutting and specialty items including a full range of Italian grocery products. Bonetti Meats prides itself in customer service.

“I am very proud of what my parents worked so hard to create and will do everything in my power to ensure that I carry on in their footsteps in upholding the great reputation of Bonetti Meats. In order to do this, the customers are number one --- after all, without them, we do not exist,” Bonetti said.

Another 248 Street business, Krause Berry Farms, won the small business of the year award. Krause Berry Farms began in 1974, and today grows berries and farm fresh produce on 175 acres. The mission of Krause Berry Farms is to provide and promote the best quality products for health and well-being of all families in the community.

The business integrates new growing technologies with traditional methods to use the whole green farming approach along with new technology to enhance the quality of product they grow, as well as the environment. Krause Berry Farms has also taken agri-tourism to a new level.

Freybe Gourmet Foods, located at the Gloucester Industrial Park, won the medium business of the year award.

Freybe’s business began more than 165 years ago, and has been located in Canada since 1955. It is now operated by the fifth and sixth generation of the Freybe family.

Freybe has demonstrated numerous examples of business excellence in the food processing industry and has thrived during the challenging economic times of the past year. Commitment to community is demonstrated by the company’s support and participation in numerous community events and charity fundraising BBQs.

Aldergrove Credit Union won the large business of the year award, with CEO Gus Hartl accepting. Serving the communities of Langley, Aldergrove, Abbotsford and Mission since 1954, Aldergrove Credit Union is proud of not only growth in members, assets and services, but a long history of being actively involved in the communities in which their branches are located. This participation includes helping with local charitable fundraising drives, supporting local sports teams and providing scholarships for students to continue their education.

The credit union continue to produce financial results which are recognized as some of the best in the B.C. credit union system, especially during these challenging times. New technology will enable it to offer new and innovative products and services to members well into the future.

The credit union is opening a new building for its branch located adjacent to Otter Co-op on 248 Street. The new building is across the street. Head office is in Aldergrove.

The new entrepreneur of the year award went to Heather Stewart of HS Home Staging. She founded her business from her Brookswood home last year.

She has an eye for colour, use of space and flow, as is evidenced in her work in preparing a home for sale, or for the improved personal enjoyment of her clients. Her creative energy and expertise allow her to take a mediocre property and transform it into a property that increases the value and interest, resulting in happy buyers, sellers and agents.

She specializes in attention to detail and creative perfectionism, and has also introduced an entirely new recession-busting service to realtors — photo staging.

Other nominees are as follows:

Business Person of the Year — Greg Barnes, Barnes Harley-Davidson Buell and Jack Froese, JD Farms;

Customer Service — Cintas Corporation; Coffee News; Erikson’s Daylily Gardens; Freybe Gourmet Foods; Krause Berry Farms; Kwantlen Polytechnic University; Langley Bottle Depot; Precision Auto Service; Fort Wine Company and Trinity Western University Spartan Athletics.

Business of the Year — Great Escape; Fort Wine Company; Ozark’s Famous Bar-B-Q Restaurant; Langley Bottle Depot; Harvey Pet Food and Supplies; Forever Yours Lingerie; Equilibria Training; Donald’s Fine Foods; CKF Inc.; Cascades Casino, Coast Hotel and Convention Centre and Bonetti Freezer Meats.

New Entrepreneur — Andrea Johnstone, Buzz Promotion and Cassandra Rush, Sassy Cassy’s Boots.