More than 100 team members of the Appliance Traders Ltd (ATL) Group were recognised for outstanding and long service at the annual Prestige Staff Awards last Saturday.

The glitzy event, held at the Jamaica Observer‘s Beechwood Avenue headquarters in Kingston, formed one of the activities marking two milestones in the group — the 50th anniversary of ATL and the 25th year of operation of the Observer.

“This is always one of the best evenings for us every year, when we can come out and celebrate excellence, but this is also a special evening for us. This is an unbelievable year— 50 years for ATL, 25 years for the Jamaica Observer and 21 for ATL Automotive,” the Group’s Deputy Chairman Adam Stewart said to rousing applause from staff, their family, and friends.

“This is the time of year when we come out and recognise the team members who have made things possible, the people who go beyond the call of duty every day, are early to work and leave late, not watching the clock, because at the end of the day we are doing one thing — providing goods and services to someone, we are finding a way to give somebody what they need in a manner that makes them want to do business with our organisations,” he added.

Stewart also praised the nominees who were selected from the 1,000 employees across the three companies in the group.

“Not only is it extraordinary that you’re here, it is extraordinary because you were nominated by your peers,” he said, adding that the nominees are emulating the ethos of what his father, Gordon “Butch” Stewart, the founder and chairman of the ATL Group, started in 1968.

Noting that the entire organisation has had an extraordinary year, he lauded staff members for their respective contributions while emphasising that none of it would be possible without their input.

Stewart, in the meantime, encouraged all employees to dig deeper within themselves to find their passion and purpose so that they can give even better service to customers.

Observer Managing Director Danville Walker, who gave the welcome, emphasised the achievements of the companies in the group, noting that it was a remarkable accomplishment for ATL to get to 50 years in business and for the Observer to survive for 25 years.

“The commitment of Butch Stewart to these companies is understandable, but his relentlessness that they survive and continue to provide is unquestionable,” Walker said.

“It is not just profit, these companies provide income for families. When you add it up it might be 1,000 employees, but that’s just the start; we all spend our money and our money is supporting employees elsewhere, which is a hell of an achievement to do that for 50 years and the competition is not easy, it’s tough,” he said.

Walker also saluted the staff, including the awardees, whom he described as the “soul” of the organisation.

Prior to the event, employees in the various departments within the companies were nominated by their colleagues for the ultimate prize — Team Member of the Year 2017.

The winners were Karena Bennett, business reporter from the Observer; Khadeisha Dawes, product manager from ATL; and Ferhandi Henry, sales executive from ATL Automotive Group. Each received an engraved acrylic crystal, a 42-inch Samsung smart TV, a home entertainment system, US$350, and an all-expense paid five-night/six-day vacation for two at any Sandals or Reaches resort in the Caribbean.

The runners-up were Terry Ann Gordon, sales executive, from the Observer; Petagaye Givans, account executive, ATL; and John-Paul James, service advisor from ATL Automotive Group.

The winning trio will go on to represent their companies in the ATL Group’s Ultimate Awards in June, which will include the top employees from the Sandals and Beaches resorts chain.

Long service awards were presented to Observer and ATL staff who have been with the companies for over 20 years, heart of the house for support staff members who always express a keen willingness to assist; top technician in the appliance store; and top sales executive at the automotive dealership.

Awards also went to the top contractor and top vendor for the Observer, while news reporter Racquel Porter won the award for the story that had the greatest national impact last year, that of Trench Town Hero Tremayne Brown, who jumped into a gully with raging flood waters to rescue a 12-year-old boy from drowning.

Dancers and drummers from Ashe Company as well as reggae band Notis Heavyweight Rockaz provided the night’s entertainment. Clear Sound provided stage, lighting, sound and decor.