Hamilton family business Greenlea Premier Meats may start 20-year anniversary celebrations early after coming away the big winners of last night's Waikato Business Excellence awards.

The meat processor was named Supreme Award Winner at the Westpac Waikato Business of the Year awards ceremony at the Claudelands Events Centre.

Greenlea, which started in 1993, has grown from a small family-owned beef processor to a serious player in New Zealand's meat industry, operating plants in Hamilton and in Morrinsville with 380 staff across the two sites.

The company's reported annual turnover is more than $30 million.

The business also won the Tompkins Wake-sponsored award for businesses employing 50 or more fulltime equivalent (FTE) staff.

The Deloittes award for businesses employing five to 14 FTEs went to business-to-business software tool builder More4Apps.

The WEL Network award for businesses 15 to 49 FTEs was won by Anglesea Hospital.

Child advocacy organisation Child Matters, which raises awareness of child abuse in the community, won the Mystery Creek Not For Profit business award.

Novotel and Ibis Tainui hotel general manager Dick Breukink won the Leader of the Year award.

Business incubator Soda Inc was given a Special Recognition Award in recognition of their contribution to building up small and medium business enterprises.

The Waikato Times is a media sponsor of the annual awards. 

- © Fairfax NZ News