Photo: Sharyn Smart
Ecomist Taranaki has claimed the insect control company’s 2013 award for best franchise, the third time it has claimed the top prize.
Owner/operator Gordon Gower said he was honoured to be named Franchise of the Year at the company’s annual awards in Christchurch recently.
“It was a great honour to receive the award,” he said.
Ecomist Taranaki was recognised for the systems and practices it has in place to run the business, and the sales it achieved.
Mr Gower was proud of the hard-work his team had accomplished and thankful to the business’ loyal customers.
“Kudos to our team. When you are performing at the top of your game it’s great to be acknowledged.
“There are 18 franchises so to be the top is great,” he said.
The business has gone from strength to strength over the last 17 years and now employs eight part-time staff in the Taranaki and Wanganui region.
And after seven years operating out of Cutfield Rd, Mr Gower was able to shift operations to lower Carrington St last year.
He said having a larger number of businesses around them had helped increase the business’ sales figures, especially the foot traffic.
“In a franchise system when you are performing at the top of your game it feels really good,” he said.
Every Wednesday Mr Gower can be found in his car driving around the mountain delivering orders and installing insect control cans.
He said people appreciated the personal service as he installs systems for those who were unable to do so themselves.
“We have a real loyal customer base. Some of them have been with us from the beginning,” he said.
As well as insect control products many businesses are now using Ecomist’s range of fragrances to personalise their premises.
Ecomist Taranaki has won the award previously in 2006 and 2007.
This article was published in the Taranaki Daily News on July 8, 2013