Multi-Award-Winning Night for Taylors Contracting at Forestry Awards
Strong recognition of the contribution Brightwater company Taylors Contracting makes to forestry in the region was provided at the Top of the South Forestry Awards on Friday (19 July), with Taylors Contracting nominees winning four awards.
Forestry Department Manager Mike Fahey took out the Hero of the Industry Award for 2024.
The award recognises Mike’s 40 years working in the forestry sector, most of it spent with Taylors.
“We love it when our people are recognised for their work,” Taylors CEO Charlie Taylor says. “Forestry is a very important part of our business and our success in these awards reflects our commitment to what is a vital part of the local economy.”
Taylors nominees received awards across a wide range of categories at the event which was held at the Trafalgar Centre in Nelson. It was a night of records for the awards event, which attracted 580 attendees (exceeding the number of attendees in 2022) and a remarkable 78 award nominations.
Taylors’ contractor Kevin Palmer of AC Palmer & Sons shared the Truck Driver Excellence category with Chris Dyer of Borlase Transport with Kevin also taking the big award of the night, Skilled Professional of the Year.
The judges said, “Committed to the industry through his family’s business, Kevin’s dedication to excellence, commitment to safety, and proactive approach to environmental practices made him a deserving recipient of the award. Kevin’s reputation for delivering exceptional service highlights his exceptional contribution to the forestry sector.”
Taylors Contracting’s Heavy Equipment Operator John Brunsden won the award for Roading Civil Excellence which, when considered alongside Kevin’s effort in the driving section, demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to safe and efficient operations, says Charlie Taylor.
Taylors was a finalist in the Outstanding Environmental Management Award, which reflects the company’s endeavours to be good environmental stewards.
“The environment is very important to our company and to be in contention for this award shows we don’t just talk the talk we walk the walk,” says Charlie says.
That sentiment was echoed by Tasman District Council Mayor Tim King as he presented the award for Outstanding Environmental Management. Mayor King said that the forestry industry had come a long way with respect to its approach to environmental management. This was indicated by the fact that Taylors Contracting had nominated one of its operators Jacob Ching for the awards’ Good Deed category for saving an endangered snail.
“While we work hard internally to recognise the efforts and successes of everyone in our team, including our long-standing contractors, it’s a real boost when we are recognised externally for our efforts,” Charlie says. “These successes are something we can all be proud of.”
