The best Victorian electrical and communications contractors were recognised at the annual electrical industry Excellence Awards hosted by peak Australian industry body the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA).

Sixteen companies across eight categories received the top state award in front over 600 industry representatives including contractors, suppliers, educators and government representatives at the pinnacle showcase of the electrical and communications industry at Crown Palladium.

The winning projects in 2014 included electrical, lighting, and communications installations.

NECA Victoria executive director Kevin McCosh says the winning companies were chosen because of their commitment to excellence, significant engineering achievements and importantly their ability to integrate many different technologies into the one project.

“The electrical and communications contracting firms that have won awards are simply outstanding for what they have achieved during each project,” Kevin says.

“This year NECA received a wide variety of nominations and it is very encouraging to see that Victorian electricians and electrical businesses are leading the country in everything from occupational health and safety through to energy efficiency and the wiring of smart homes.

“The judging panel was privileged to view a wide variety of high-quality projects and as always NECA members have contributed positively to some of the biggest construction jobs in this state.”

The winning companies and their projects are listed below:

Category – Domestic Residence
A single residence project in the domestic sector where the applicant’s contract value is less than $1 million.
Winner: Argus Technologies Solutions
Project: Private Residence Mornington Peninsula
Why: “Argus Technologies aimed to offer the client excellent functionality while remembering the home was to be a family-friendly environment with consideration given to how the home would be used, and by whom. Argus were able to achieve this by utilising some of the same technologies the family were previously accustomed to while also including the automation of all lighting, security and multimedia equipment.
As the property had a heritage overlay Argus Technologies was responsible for preserving the history and character of this home while making it family friendly and functional.”

Category – Small Contracting Business
A small contractor, employing less than 10 technical employees, demonstrating a wide range of skills and may be a company or project based.
Winner: Deacam Pty Ltd
Project: Airservices Australia
Why: “This job had numerous speed humps and headaches, but we believe the greatest achievement was to convince the German design team that a small electrical firm from Healesville with a spare bedroom for an office and a shed for a workshop, could not only install the system but become an integral partner in the project.
“The magnitude of this achievement was realised when we were called upon as an extra to our contract to design and install the control system for the Zone 0 and Zone 1 hazardous areas that were needed to supply the training ground with a number of dangerous gases and liquids.”

Category – Environment and Energy Efficiency
A project where the design, product selection, lighting, processes or technologies have created an energy efficient or sustainable installation and/or made a significant contribution to preservation of a site’s natural environment.
Winner: Australian Wind and Solar
Project: Project 13131
Why: “The awards are a benchmark of excellence within our industry and proof that there are talented businesses in our given specialisation that strive for excellence and handwork. To be recognised as a winner of this year’s awards, reflects the outstanding work and dedication performed by the team at Australian Wind and Solar in providing quality renewable energy options to our clients.”

Category – Lighting
A commercial, industrial, residential, hospitality, retail or sports project of any value where the lighting achieves a high level of visual, technical and aesthetic excellence.
Winner: Walker Electrical Contracting
Project: Lighting Poles and Lighting SGC Korumburra
Why: “The major accomplishment our business achieved during this project was to complete the new lighting facility for our local sporting club and community, of which we are a part of. A project of this scale has expanded our business capability to seek larger and more technically developed projects for our local region.”

Category – Industrial Project – Small
An industrial project which may include, but is not limited to, undertakings of a civil, mining, high voltage, manufacturing or process nature where the contract value is less than $2 million .
Winner: Laser Electrical Ballarat
Project: Electrical Installation and Commissioning for Laucke Flour Mills, Bridgewater, Victoria
Why: “Taking on such a large project, part way through the construction process provided many challenges to the team including being flexible to changing schedules and changes in scope while working closely with and around the civil and mechanical contractors but still maintaining the project budget. It allowed a couple of team members to extend their leadership and project management skills, while developing and refining procedures and documentation to streamline the installation and testing processes.”

Category – Commercial – Small Project
A commercial project where the applicant’s contract value is less than $500,000.
Winner: Argus Technologies Solutions
Project: Carlisle Homes, Spectra Selection Centre
Why: “The Company is very proud to be associated with such a quality building project which has tested our resources and set us challenges enabling us to provide state of the art technological solutions exceeding our client’s expectations.
“Strong leadership, project management and careful planning from beginning to completion have enabled the Company to meet all objectives and provide solutions, quality workmanship and client satisfaction.
“Commitment, clear communication, team work and a sense of satisfaction for a job well done was felt by all involved in the project.”

Category – Commercial – MEDIUM Project
A commercial project where the applicant’s contract value is more than $500,000 and less than $3 million
Winner: ADJ Contracting
Project: Box Hill Institute Integrated Technology Hub
Why: “The architectural intricacies of the building demanded a high level of coordination to successfully preform the installation. The ability of our staff to maintain such quality output was a credit to all involved.”

Category – Commercial – Large Project
A commercial project where the applicant’s contract value is greater than $3 million.
Winner: Nilsen (Vic) Pty Ltd
Project: Telstra Data Centre
Why: “Nilsen’s greatest accomplishment was pioneering the integrated use of new technologies, Revit and Trimble, to achieve exceptional quality in the fit-out of the Telstra Data Centre. Revit enabled the intensive collaboration – with our client, other contractors and trades on site – required to solve the complex programming, space and time challenges posed by this substantial project. Our people have paved the way for major productivity advances in the MEP industry.”