North Melbourne signage, vehicle wrap and wallpaper business Grafico – launched in a Carlton garage as part of a university project - has taken the top award in the Lord Mayor’s Small Business Awards for 2022.
 |
| Lord Mayor of Melbourne Sally Capp presents award to Grafico CEO Damian Corney |
Grafico Group was awarded the Small Business of the Year by Lord Mayor of Melbourne Sally Capp in recognition of its “innovation, creative marketing, sustainability initiatives and long-standing connection to the City of Melbourne.
“The business was founded in 2004 by designer Damian Corney as part of a university project,” Capp said. “Grafico Group from North Melbourne supports local jobs, producing custom print wallpaper, mosaic tiles, vehicle wraps and premium vinyl wrap colours.
“Damian Corney and the team at Grafico are a leading example of a Melbourne-owned and operated business which has achieved huge success on a national level. We’re thrilled to recognise their achievements and look forward to seeing them further prosper.”
Grafico Group CEO Damian Corney said: “Grafico is very proud to accept this prestigious award and look forward to finding a wall at Grafico to hang this award on! A testament to our hard-working team especially over the past years of the pandemic bringing its own challenges.”
Other finalists included homewares, clothing and accessories company MAKE Designed Objects and local knitwear house Knovus. The Lord Mayor's Small Business Awards also recognised the achievements of 49 Melbourne business owners who've been operating in the City of Melbourne for more than 10, 20 and 40 years, including: Wendy Scully Millinery, Dungeon of Magic, The Chicken Pantry, You Day Spa, and Clementine’s gift shop.
"Melbourne's small businesses are the engine room of our economy, and they continue to make our city the place it is today – thriving with ideas, innovation, creativity and sustainability, said Capp. "I want to congratulate all of our award winners, who have contributed so much to our city through the most difficult trading period in living memory.”
Grafico last year won Avery Dennison's Wrap Like a King 2021 Asia-Pacific award for its work on a Lamborghini for French fashion brand Faure Le Page.
