From hundreds of entrants from right across the nation, 29 have made the Plumbing Business Finalists Lists of 2024 Australian Trades Small Business Champion Awards – a major recognition awards programme dedicated to spotlighting top-performing trades-based small business operators, nationwide.

Spanning all capital cities as well as rural, regional and suburban towns, the Australian Trades Small Business Champion Awards pertinently pays tribute to the vital role of small businesses in the trade sector as the backbone of the nation’s construction industry, and a significant contributor to Australia’s overall social and economic prosperity.

Moreover, the Trade Awards recognise trades-based small business owners’ invaluable contributions to their local communities and to their fields of specialty.

Now in its second year, the 2024 Australian Trades Small Business Champion Awards features a total of more than 50 categories, across trades-based retail, services and manufacturing industries.

Among this year’s most competitive categories, Plumbing Business is proving exceptionally challenging to judge, says Steve Loe, Awards Founder and Managing Director of Precedent Productions, which coordinates the Australian Trades Small Business Champion Awards.

“The quality of entrants in the Plumbing Business categories in particular is very impressive. The shortlisting of this year’s finalists was quite the challenge for our judges.

“When the Champion Judges evaluate entries, they consider all aspects of a business: its strategies, growth, eco-friendliness, community contributions, innovation, customer service, and product and service quality – to name but some of the criteria.

“The next rounds of judging will be intense as we continue to evaluate the achievements of this year’s 29 Plumbing Business finalists to reach just one category winner,” says Mr Loe.

The seven Plumber – Large category finalists are:

Reed Plumbing and Drainage Solutions (VIC), Watermaster Plumbing (VIC), Priority Plus Plumbing (NSW), Mr Splash Plumbing (NSW), YTB Plumbing (QLD), DYFA Plumbing (QLD) and Silver Water Plumbing (NSW).

The 15 Plumber – Medium category finalists are:

H2PRO Plumbing (VIC), Playford Plumbing and Gas (SA), North East Plumbing (NSW), Franklin Plumbing and Gas (QLD), 2Brothers Plumbing & Gas (QLD), Fixed Today (NSW), DCM Plumbing & Drainage (QLD), Hook Line & Sink Plumbing (VIC), JML Plumbing & Gas (NSW), Creek to Coast Plumbing (QLD), Sydney Emergency Plumbing (NSW), Beel Plumbing (VIC), Bennett & Co Industries (SA), Andrew Vanny Plumbing Services & Bathroom Renovations (NSW) and Rydeau Plumbing (NSW).

The seven Plumber – Small category finalists are:

Stop Drip Plumbing (NSW), Jet Plus Plumbing (VIC), Hydrolink Plumbing Services (NSW), Service It Australia (VIC), Crucial Plumbing Services (NSW), ServicePro Plumbing & Relining (NSW) and Unrivalled Plumbing & Gas (WA).

“Being selected as a finalist of this prestigious event – from an entrant pool that really does span the entire country– is no easy feat and speaks volumes of the tenacity and leadership at each of these plumbing small businesses,” says Mr Loe.

Recent data indicates that almost two million tradies are actively employed in Australia and figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal that the vast majority of Australian small business owners are tradies.

“The Australian trades sector is arguably amongst the most complex, but it’s also among the most resilient and certainly hardworking. It’s truly a privilege to help spotlight those who are demonstrating excellence in their trade and encouraging future generations too.

“A career in trades typically means long days and exhausting labour; and for owners, this is in addition to all the pressures that come with running a small business. It can be a taxing career and those who perform to a high standard ought to be acknowledged – which is what the Awards is all about,” adds Mr Loe.

This year marks the second consecutive year of the Australian Trades Small Business Champion Awards. All 2024 winners will be revealed at a glittering gala red-carpet event at Sydney’s The Star on Friday 23 August.

For more information including a full list of 2024 finalists, visit championawards.com.au/trades.

The 2024 Australian Trades Small Business Champion Awards programme is sponsored by Boa, NOVA Employment, Xcllusive Business Sales, VJB Group, Lifestyle Tradie, Big Clean and Castaway Forecasting.