"Sometimes people tell us we're lucky," Ralph Fehr, Elias Woodworking CEO, said after accepting the Outstanding Large Business Award at the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce gala last week.

Ralph Fehr, Elias Woodworking CEO

"Well, the harder we work, the luckier we get," he added.

The Manitoba Business Awards are open to organizations of all sizes and sectors in the province, and celebrate community leaders for their accomplishments, investment in their local communities and for their commitment to building a better Manitoba. Elias Woodworking beat out Civility Experts Inc. Worldwide and GoodLife Fitness for the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce award October 25 in Winnipeg.

Elias Woodworking and Manufacturing was started in 1983 and now boasts half a million sq. ft. automated production space in the Pembina Valley.

In the face of fierce competition for skilled workers with the high wages of the oil industry, Fehr says they turned to other aspects to retain good employees, asking questions like, "what makes a good workplace?" and "what motivates people to really care about the details?"

"That's the secret sauce," he says. "People actually want to care and feel good about their work here."

Elias Woodwork & Manufacturing also earned the P.W Enns award in Business Excellence earlier this spring from the Winkler Chamber of Commerce.