The Roanoke Regional Chamber and Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center have named QualiChem, Inc., the 2016 Small Business of the Year. The Salem-based manufacturer of water treatment chemicals and metal working solutions that are distributed worldwide was recognized at the Chamber’s 30th Annual Small Business Awards dinner held October 6 at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. The annual awards program showcases the accomplishments of the small business sector which is composed of more than 90 percent of the area’s business community.
Founded in 1990, the company began with eight employees as a blender of water treatment and industrial cleaning products for small regional sales and service distributors in Virginia and the Carolinas. After 10 years of operation, the original owners hired two operations managers who have guided QualiChem from a small non-profitable venture to the international success it is today. QualiChem now has 77 employees located throughout the globe and sell their products to some of the world’s largest manufacturing facilities such as Boeing, Pratt & Whitney, Applied Materials, and Timken.
“This year’s selection committee had a very difficult decision to make as there were a number of highly successful small businesses represented in the competition,” said Joyce Waugh, president of the Roanoke Regional Chamber.
Waugh continued, “The Small Business Awards selection committee was impressed by QualiChem’s story of finding their niche markets and going from a small operation with mostly local sales to one of the fastest growing cutting and grinding fluids manufacturers in the world.”
A committee of local business people evaluates nominees in terms of increased sales, employee growth, staying power, innovativeness, and contributions to the community. To be eligible for the award, companies must meet SBA small business standards and be at least three years old.
Award winners by category are:
- Small Business Advocate: Ariel Lev, The CoLab
- Small Business Veteran of the Year: Paul “Buddy” Rhoades, Five Star Painting of Roanoke Valley
- Construction/Real Estate: Hughes Associates Architects & Engineers has weathered three economic downturns during its 31 years of operation by adapting to the times and their clients’ needs.
- Micro-Business (five or fewer employees): Blue Ridge Wildlife & Pest Management helps property owners tame unwanted wildlife and pest visitors.
- Technology: Securitec Screening Solutions uses specially developed technology programs to provide background information to credit reporting agencies and retail screening firms.
- Business-to-Business Services: HomeTown Bank has remained an independent bank serving the Roanoke Region for over a decade.
- Business-to-Consumer Services: Cave Spring Auto Body has shown consistent growth and pride themselves on their outstanding work and customer satisfaction.
- Manufacturing: QualiChem, Inc.
- Wholesale/Retail: SafeSide Tactical sells a full range of guns and ammunition emphasizing safety and training at their indoor shooting facility.
- Legacy Award (in business for 50+ years): Virginia Prosthetics & Orthotics has custom designed, fabricated and fitted artificial limbs and braces for their patients for 50 years.
- Best New Small Business (in business for one to three years, not eligible for overall award): Star Flight Training offers flight training for everyone from the career-path pilot to the weekend enthusiast to help fill the region’s need for pilots.
- Not-for-Profit Arts & Culture: Virginia Western Community College Educational Foundation helps promote the college, secures scholarship funding, faculty development, and capital projects on the VWCC campus.
- Not-for-Profit Health & Human Services: Foundation for Roanoke Valley enables people who love their community to easily give back through customized philanthropic programs.
- People’s Choice Award: New award in 2016 allowing website visitors to vote for their favorite small business. Volatia Language Network garnered the most votes.
