OAKVILLE, Ontario – Akhurst Machinery, a fourth-generation distributor of industrial woodworking machinery and accessories, was honored as the 2020 National Enterprise of the Year by the Family Enterprise Xchange (FEX).

Akhurst was named Family Enterprise of the Year of British Columbia last fall, making it a finalist for the national award.

FEX said the award recognizes Akhurst for exemplifying strong values, success, and excellent customer service while “building trust, creating together.”

Akhurst Machinery was founded in 1938 by W.A. Akhurst at the age of 60 to primarily sell industrial equipment to sawmill operations in British Columbia. Today the company is led by Graham, Ryan, and Brent Akhurst. Akhurst Machinery is a leading distributor of equipment for woodworking, metalworking, and machine tooling. The company has 80 employees and five offices across Canada, including its headquarters in Vancouver, British Columbia.

“On behalf of Family Enterprise Xchange, I would like to congratulate our 2020 National Family Enterprise of the Year Award winners, the Akhurst Family and Akhurst Machinery Limited. I firmly believe that family businesses, including our FEYA finalists, will be leading the way in our economic recovery in Canada,” said Bill Brushett, president and CEO of Family Enterprise Xchange. 

The Family Enterprise of Year Award (FEYA) was established in 1986 to celebrate and promote the achievements of Canadian business families and the considerable contribution they make to the economic and social fabric of both their local communities and Canada as a whole.