Wake Forest University family business center: 2016 North Carolina Family Business of the Year Award winners.

Colton Groome & Company, Illuminating Technologies, National Wiper Alliance and Smith Turf & Irrigation have been recognized by the Wake Forest University Family Business Center and Business North Carolina with 2016 North Carolina Family Business of the Year awards.

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Century Award winner

Smith Turf & Irrigation

Charlotte

As one of the first Toro Manufacturing Co. distributors in 1925, E.J. Smith knew for his new business to be successful, it must rely on four basic principles: integrity, innovative products, exceptional service and an absolute commitment to the customers success.

He moved his family from Minneapolis to Jacksonville, Fla., where a real-estate boom and golf were driving development. When the Great Depression hit, Smith and his son relocated the company to Charlotte. Four generations later, his timeless principles still steer this customer- and family-focused business.

Smith Turf & Irrigation has over 245 "extended family" employees supporting customers in five states and Bermuda. It is now The Toro Company's oldest active distributorship and is well-respected in the green industry. While a lot has changed since the early days, family values still come first and are a part of its everyday culture.

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Large Category Award winner

National Wiper Alliance

Swannanoa

National Wiper Alliance began with three employees in 1996, initially operating out of 2,000 square feet of borrowed space. Jeff Slosman built the company on the belief that creating a unique partnership among vendors and customers would be fundamental to the success of the company.

From the beginning, Slosman began providing individualized services such as private labeling and custom packaging to meet customers' individual requirements. Over the years, NWA has devoted time to both startups and well-established companies, offering development services to help them launch new products.

NWA has become a leader in custom packaging and private label of nonwoven dry wipes. Today, NWA converts wipers for the aerospace, automotive, hospitality, health care, food service and other industries. The company now employs over 90 people at a 500,000-square-foot plant in Swannanoa.

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Medium Category Award winner

Illuminating Technologies

Greensboro

Bob and Lois Hunt and their sons, Blake and Gordon, started Greensboro-based Illuminating Technologies in...