Legendary Winkler entrepreneur P.W Enns would be proud. 

Triple E's Ryan Elias

That according to 4th generation Triple E leader Ryan Elias after accepting his great-grandfather's namesake, the P.W Enns Community Builder of the Year award.

Elias says the award is humbling, noting his great grandfather was a strong advocate for community. Elias says the leadership team continues with a tangible sense of responsibility to the same commitment to community.

Triple E, employing 800 people, recently celebrated 50 years of business. The local company was one of five Winkler success stories in the private and non-profit sectors honoured at the 2019 P.W Enns Business Award Gala Thursday evening hosted by the Winkler and District Chamber of Commerce.

Elias Woodwork & Manufacturing earned its second P.W Enns award in Business Excellence. CEO Ralph Fehr says excellence is a lofty goal, and while there are many ways to measure it, in the end life and business are about love.

"The only way to get love is to be lovable. It's very irritating if you have a lot of money. You'd like to think you could write a check: 'I'll buy a million dollars' worth of love.' But it doesn't work that way. The more you give love away, the more you get," Fehr says, quoting famed investor Warren Buffett.

Rise Athletics & Wellness Owner Kurtis FoxRise Athletics & Wellness took home the Business Builder award. Owner Kurtis Fox thanked the mentors that have shaped him, adding their advice has gone straight back into the business. His success as an entrepreneur has also been picked up by the international community; Fox recently found out he's been picked as a Canadian Delegate for the 2019 G20 Young Entrepreneurs' Alliance Summit in Japan this May.

Solutions IT was awarded best in Customer Service. Owner Dennis Kehler explains nothing worthwhile is ever built without a strong team "and the customer service award tells us we’re on the right track."

He adds Winkler is the best place to build business with customers across the country and the ability to compete nationally. However, with growth comes challenges, but Kehler says the team remains laser focused on the personal touch as the business continues to grow rapidly.

The Winkler & District Health Care Board was honoured in the not-for-profit sector. Board member Marvin Plett thanked the clinic doctors for embracing the community and making it their home.

He notes a facility expansion in the coming months will continue to grow healthcare in the region.

Winkler & District Health Care Board member Marvin Plett

Keynote speaker and well-known marketing guru Terry O'Reilly spoke on the power of storytelling and the importance of reaching customers' hearts.

"We are emotional creatures," O'Reilly says. "You need people to feel the information, not just know it."

Triple E, employing 800 people, recently celebrated 50 years of business.

Related article: P.W Enns Award Winners Represent Winkler's Best And Brightest 

Solutions IT Owner Dennis Kehler