Each year, the Rothman Institute coordinates with other corporate sponsors this annual event which selects the finest family businesses in the state and recognizes them at an awards luncheon in October. Winners are honored at an Awards Ceremony in October, and profiled in the November issue of New Jersey Monthly magazine.

Nominate Your Favorite Family Firm! Application for the 2013 New Jersey Family Business of the Year Award

Related Program: Family Business Forum

2012 New Jersey Family Business of the Year Awards

2012 Winners

Becht Engineering, Liberty Corner - Over $10 Million Category

Charles Becht III formed Becht Engineering in 1964, initially serving the real-estate investment community. In 1986, his son, Charles Becht IV, joined the organization and added a new focus: service to process industries, including oil refineries and chemical plants. Now in its third generation, company and family values including innovation, entrepreneurship, independent thinking, pride and achievement are reflected in the day-to-day operations of this growing business. Employees are highly valued as the backbone of the firm’s success. To that end, the family has committed to empowering its staff to act, take responsibility for and grow its respective areas of business.

Mrs. G's Appliances, Lawrenceville - Up to $10 Million Category

Mrs. G’s is a third generation superstore that has developed an outstanding reputation for over 77 years. It started in 1935 when Abe and Beatrice Greenberg opened their own plumbing supply store in Trenton. The couple found after World War II that the shop could no longer limit itself, and it then became a prominent appliance dealer. The business was almost lost in 1972, when a gas explosion leveled the store. This did not stop them; just a few days later the family reopened its business in its warehouse. This resilience has paved the road to continued success. In 2000, granddaughter, Debbie Schaeffer, took leadership of the business. She uses the same philosophy of her grandparents, taking care of the customer, having a great selection of brands and keeping the long tradition of supporting the community and local charities.

Category of Companies with Sales Up to  $10 Million

Semifinalists

Black Rocket Productions, Freehold

Olde Mill Inn, Basking Ridge

Giambri Quality Sweets, Clementon

Magnets.com, Jersey City


Finalists

Leonardo Jewelers, Red Bank

Singer Nelson Charlmers, Teaneck

Category of Companies with Sales Over $10 Million

Semifinalists

Hamilton Jewelers, Princeton

Gellert Global Group, Elizabeth

Jack Daniels Automotive Group, Fair Lawn

Marvic Corporation, Union

Royal Printing Services, West New York


Finalists

Energy Kinetics, Lebanon

Ski Barn, Paramus

2011 New Jersey Family Business of the Year Awards

2011 Winners

Sickles Market, Little Silver - Over $10 Million Category

Since 1908 Sickles Market has become a favorite destination for the best produce, plants, gourmet foods, garden accessories, and gifts at the New Jersey Shore.  Family owned and operated for four generations, Sickles continues to delight a growing community of customers and with unparalleled quality and selection, outstanding customer service, and dedication to community support. 

Cooper Pest, Solutions, Lawrenceville - Up to $10 Million Category

Cooper Pest Solutions provides pest management services to clients in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Richard Cooper is known as one of the top industry experts on the return of Bed Bugs.  His brother Phil developed the company’s “WOW” system of customer service, and speaks around the country on this topic to a wide variety of industries. Together, the brothers have built the business their father started back in 1955 into one of the industry’s leaders, where the commitment to service excellence is permeated throughout the entire organization.

Category of Companies with Sales Up to  $10 Million

Semifinalists

Harrison Rand Advertising, Guttenberg

Messina Wildlife Management, Washington

Rainey’s Repair Center, New Brunswick

Riverview Service Center, Elmwood Park

Singer Nelson Charlmers, Teaneck


Finalists

Leonardo Jewelers, Red Bank

Nassau Racquet Club, Skillman

2010 Winners
Accurate Box Company, Paterson - Over $10 Million Category

Accurate Box was founded in 1944 by Henry Hirsh as a folding-carton manufacturer in Newark. It grew and thrived under the reigns of Hirsh’s son, Charles, and moved to larger facilities in Paterson. During the 33 years he ran the business, it    added $20 million in revenue. Today, the company’s entire product line is high-end graphics corrugated packaging and has doubled in size. Under the stewardship of Henry’s granddaughter, Lisa, the company is a third-generation company and isthe only woman-owned, litho-laminated packing company in the nation.

Ingrassia Construction Company, Middlesex - Up to $10 Million Category

Anthony Ingrassia came to the United States in 1928 and worked as a laborer. He studied nights and became an architect. Ingrassia started his business in his sister’s home in Newark. The company has grown to become one of New Jersey’s premier public contracting companies. The Ingrassia family strongly believes in serving their community. One effort that particularly stands out is their support of “Community House” at Princeton University. This organization provides the opportunity for underprivileged children to attend a summer enrichment camp. The Ingrassias fund this program through their Christopher Ingrassia Memorial Organization, a trust that they opened in memory of their son Chris, a Princeton graduate who was killed during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Category of Companies with Sales Up to $10 Million

Semifinalists

AJ O’Connor & Associates, Parsippany

Lont & Overkamp, Prospect Park

Turul Bookbindery, Wharton

Singer Nelson Charlmers, Teaneck

Messina Wildlife Management, Washington

Finalists

Stellato Funeral Homes, Lyndhurst

Roman Jewelers, Flemington

Category of Companies with Sales over $10 Million

Semifinalists

Advanced Digital Data, Flanders

Data Reduction Systems, Union

Montrose Molders, South Plainfield

Energy Kinetics, Lebanon

Otterstedt Insurance, Englewood Cliffs


Finalists

Becht Engineering, Liberty Corner

Wellshire Farms, Swedesboro

2009 winners

Morey's Piers, Wildwood, NJ - Over $10 Million Category

Morey’s Piers is the largest seaside amusement center in the Western hemisphere. Voted Third Best Seaside Amusement Park in 2007 by Amusement Today, the company, found in 1969 by brothers Will and Bill Morey, has a sprawling complex of four amusement piers strung along Wildwoods’ five-mile beach and two-mile boardwalk, featuring more than 100 rides and attractions. The company has an ambitious vision: As seaside parks fade away across the world, it hopes to completely reinvent the definition of boardwalk and balance the fine line between celebrating nostalgia and developing new and exciting products that bring families together. In doing so, the company hopes to contribute to preserving a very important New Jersey tradition.

Garden Terrace Nursing Home, Chatham, NJ - Up to $10 Million Category

Garden Terrace Nursing Home has been family owned and operated since 1964. The private, 34-bed skilled nursing facility offers a familiar, homelike atmosphere while effectively providing short-term respite and long-term and therapy services.The Flemming family proudly provides the same comprehensive care of a larger, corporate facility while maintaining a warm intimate setting. Peter, Phyllis, Laura and Peter, Jr. carry on this tradition of excellence by living the following philosophy: Celebrating life in a compassionate and dignified manner; providing a home-like setting that invites warmth, caring and security in a safe therapeutic environment and promoting support, encouragement and education for family and friends as they face roles as caregivers.

Category of Companies with Sales up to $10 Million:

Semifinalists

Ingrassia Construction, Middlesex

Roman Jewelers, Flemington

Singer Nelson Charlmers, Teaneck

Turul Bookbindery, Wharton

Finalists

Nassau Tennis Club, Skillman

Stellato Funeral Homes, Lyndhurst

Tony Pallet, Newark

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Category of Companies with Sales over $10 Million:

Semifinalists

Advance Digital Data, Flanders

Bridgeway Senior Healthcare, Bridgewater

EPS Corporation, Tinton Falls

Finalists

Accurate Box Company, Paterson

DCH Auto Group, South Amboy

Wellshire Farms, Swedesboro

The 2008 top winners were Cory Home Delivery Service, a third generation commercial delivery service, for the over $10 million category, and Old Monmouth Candy Company, a three-generation candy business, for the under $10 million category.

Top Family Business Honors go to Old Monmouth Candy Co. and Cory Home Delivery Service

On October 7, 2008, a day officially proclaimed by New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine as “New Jersey Family Business Day”, two New Jersey businesses were awarded the coveted title of “New Jersey Business of the Year”- Old Monmouth Candy Company (in the up to $10 Million category) and Corey Home Delivery Service (in the over $10 Million category). Both winners will be featured in the November issue of New Jersey Monthly, which will be on newsstands at the end of October.

The event featured a keynote address by Brenda Blackmon, co-anchor of WWOR TV’s My 9 News. “It is remarkable to see the innovation, longevity and legacy of New Jersey’s family businesses,” stated Blackmon. “Today we honor your success!”

This year marked the sixteenth year for the awards, which have become a revered New Jersey institution. The awards were made possible by the following sponsors: New Jersey Monthly, The Rothman Institute of Entrepreneurial Studies, PNC Bank, Camares Communications, The Crystal Plaza, JH Cohn, PSE&G and Schenck, Price, Smith and King LLP.

Companies up to $10 Million

Old Monmouth Candy Company, Freehold

Established in 1939, Old Monmouth Candy Company is sometimes referred to as a Freehold institution. Many generations have fond memories of visiting the shop, which is owned by Hal and Susan Gunther, President and Vice President and their two sons, who now work in the business.

Susan learned a valuable lesson from her father, Warren Prest, the company’s co-founder. “My father taught me that it is a priviledge to own a business and serve the public, selling a product you can be proud of,” Susan said.

Companies Over $10 Million

Cory Home Delivery Service, Secaucus

Cory Home Delivery Service, is one of the oldest and largest specialized home delivery carriers in America. Founded by Joseph Cory in 1934, it is now under third generation family management and ownership. The company was founded as a one-truck operation and today lists clients including Best Buy, Crate and Barrel and Ethan Allen.

The family credits their success to carefully balancing home and work life while maintaining strong relationships among family members, retail clients, owner-operator teams, management and employees.

The five semifinalists in the category of  companies with sales up to $10 Million:

Cutting Edge Industries, Linden

Roman Jewelers, Flemington

Rue Insurance, Hamilton

Turul Bookbindery, Wharton

Villani Bus Company, Linden

The three finalists in the category of companies with sales up to $10 Million:

Old Monmouth Candy Company, Freehold

Race Farms, Blairstown

Tony Pallet, Newark

The five semi-finalists in the category of companies with sales over $10 Million:

Machinery Services Corp., Rapid Pump and Meter Service, Paterson

Manufacturer’s Reserve Supply, Irvington

Morey’s Piers, Wildwood

Reuther Material Company, North Bergen

Spiral Binding Company, Totowa

The three finalists in the category of Companies with sales over $10 Million:

Bridgeway Senior Healthcare, Bridgewater

Cory Home Delivery Service, Secaucus

Verrex, Inc, Mountainside

Sponsors

The New Jersey Family Business of the Year Awards program is sponsored by the Rothman Institute, PNC Bank and New Jersey Monthly. Co-sponsors include Camares Communications, Crystal Plaza, J.H. Cohn LLP, Public Service Electric and Gas and Schenck Price, Smith & King LLP.

If you would like to RSVP for the 2011 New Jersey Family Business of the Year Awards or if you have any questions, please call Kim Dennison at 973-443-8880.