Business
21 July, 2024
Rochelle tops awards
THE owner of a local manufacturing company, Pro Form Tops, has become Cairns Business Woman of the Year for her outstanding contributions to the industry.
Rochelle Prien was awarded the title at the 40th anniversary of the Cairns Business Women’s Club last Friday. Thirty-four finalists from an array of industries competed in eight categories.
Pro Form Tops, based in Portsmith, was founded 33 years ago by Ms Prien’s parents. The company consists of four businesses: Pro Form Tops, which manufactures laminated benchtops and custom-built flat packs, Laminates North, a supply division of board, laminate and ply, NQ Acrylic and Stone, suppliers and installers of stone and porcelain benchtops, and Cabinet Code Hardware, suppliers of cabinetry hardware.
It was only five years ago that with her husband she fully took the reins of the business, and since then the local manufacturing company has flourished, creating more jobs, bringing innovation, new machinery and a modern product that has now led her to becoming Cairns Business Woman of the Year.
“I’m still in shock, we become so engrossed in our work, so to be able to sit back and reflect on your achievements is a really special thing,” Ms Prien said.
“I’m very passionate about my staff, they’re like family to me, so it’s important for us to work as a team and that we continue to grow, so we can employ more staff and support their families.
“I’m also incredibly passionate about being a local company. We employ locally, we manufacture locally and we offer a good product at very competitive prices, and we’ve made this one-stop shop where people can come in and we help customers achieve their dream kitchen.”
CBWC president Kearley Dent said the finalists underwent a remarkable journey over several months in the awards process, from initial nomination and application submissions to attending workshops, networking, and facing a judging panel.
Other awards were small business owner: Fleur Sharpe (Di-Vetelact). Indigenous: Connie Rovina (WidiWorks Aboriginal Art Gallery). Manager: Zoe Williams (Gulf Savannah NRM). Sole entrepreneur: Kylie Anderson (FOHER Co). Young entrepreneur: Maddison Owens (Bloom – Skin, Brows and Beauty). Collaboration of the year: Phoebe Kitto and Rebecca Wright (Human Resource Dynamics). Michelle Commins Legacy: Stacey Jeanes (Southside Comets Football Club).
