FirstLine Gloves, Inc. Wins Small Business Award

 FirstLine Gloves, Inc. was recently honored with the Best Closely Held Small Business Award by the Pacific Coast Business Times.

 

The Pacific Coast Business Times, which has been in circulation for the last ten years, holds an annual contest in which they award businesses that are family owned or closely held (two or more members of a family work in the business).

 

The qualifications the Pacific Coast Business Times considers are, “A family or closely held business with a track record of success and a likely trajectory of continued success,” Special Reports Editor, Jim Logan said, “It can also be a little more subjective, such as the feeling that a company is doing something interesting, socially beneficial or just plain smart.” Logan said FirstLine had all of these qualifications.

Henry Dubroff, Editor of Pacific Coast Business Times, Lynda Nahra, CEO of Community West Bank, Colette Perches and Dustin Knackstedt attended the awards banquet hosted by Pacific Coast Business Times

FirstLine was nominated for the award by the Regional Vice President of Community West Bank, Catharine Manset. “We nominated FirstLine as an exceptional example of an innovative and successful family owned business with a commitment to excellence.  They not only provide local jobs as well as integral products to EMT units across the country, but they understand the impact of working with and giving back to the community as exemplified by their work during Hurricane Katrina,” Manset said.

 

FirstLine Company President and CEO, Colette Perches, and her son, Operations Manager, Dustin Knackstedt attended an awards banquet in which Perches was honored for her hard work and devotion to her company.  Perches also received certificates from the California Senate office of Tony Strickland, and, the California Assembly office of Audra Strickland, in honor of her outstanding dedication and commitment to the community.

 

Perches thanked Community West Bank for nominating her business, and expressed thanks to her family and employees for their continued support. 

 

Regional Vice President of Community West Bank, Catharine Manset, and Colette Perches

Perches also told the audience what a blessing and passion the business is for her and how much she admires firefighters and paramedics for all they do. “What I have come to learn is that fire departments are a brotherhood, so I feel like this is just one family business helping another,” Perches said.

 

Many FirstLine customers commended Perches and the FirstLine Team for receiving the award. “I’m glad that FirstLine was honored with this award,” said Richard Hickman, the glove purchasing agent for Tampa Fire Rescue. “Tampa Fire Rescue is always happy with the quality of service and products that comes from working with FirstLine and I feel they are very deserving of this recognition.”

 

Keith Gurrola, a Battalion Chief for Ventura County Fire and Vice President of S.A.F.E.R (Southern Area Fire Equipment Research), agreed with Hickman’s response adding, “Colette shows dedication to the EMS industry by being responsive and staying in touch with what is new in the fire service. She always looks toward the future for ways to improve quality and make sure the end user is protected.”

Both Perches and the FirstLine Team continue to strive for future successes, always keeping in mind the importance of customer service and quality products.  They continue to live by the motto, “Customer Service from the Past and Technology from the Future,” to ensure that their customers feel that they are not just customers but part of the family.