Chief executive officer Roy Rogers was present when the disability enterprise was recognised for setting a benchmark for best practice as an employer of choice.

The judges looked for the organisation that best implemented strategies and initiatives to create stimulating and supportive workplace environments for its employees.

The Flagstaff Group operates seven business divisions in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven that provide employment to 275 people with a disability.

And 90 of those roles are at the North Nowra site.

"The team at Flagstaff has been a proud employer of people with disabilities in the Shoalhaven region for the past 10 years and we are committed to providing a range of roles to enhance the lives of our employees," Mr Rogers said.

Flagstaff was acknowledged for its provision of skills, training, and increased work opportunities that employees with disabilities are offered.

The judges saw it as being committed to the region and for providing sustainable employment to people with disabilities through new and innovative initiatives such as the launch of 'Krative Vision Furniture'.

It has also installed a new commercial laundry for glove recycling at the Flagstaff Shoalhaven site.

Instead of being thrown away the gloves are commercially washed and sent back for reuse which saves thousands of gloves from going to landfill and is a great cost saving initiative for many manufacturers and mines.

"These additions are offering greater customer service opportunities and new tasks available to our employees," Mr Rogers said. "It's great to witness the positive impact that employment, vocational training and qualifications have on our employees."

Other winners to gain automatic entry as finalists of the Illawarra awards were Bendigo Bank Sanctuary Point, Waterways Swim School, Nowchem and Stormtech. Young Entrepreneur and Young Business Executive Award winner was Adam Sturt, of Hotondo Homes, and Business Leader Award winner Peter Russell, of Integrity Real Estate.

Other Shoalhaven Business Award winners were Red Car Driving School, Southern Cross Community Housing, Simmark, Jervis Bay Hearing Centre, Shoalhaven Shuttle and StormTech.

Illawarra Business Chamber (IBC) chief executive Debra Murphy congratulated the Shoalhaven winners and said now those awards had been held all the finalists for the 2015 Momentum Energy Illawarra Business Awards at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre on October 23 would be announced on Thursday.

"The inclusion of the Shoalhaven Business Awards winners provides a true showcase of business success from right across the region," she said.

"It also demonstrates the strong alignment and collaboration across the chamber movement. The progress from the Shoalhaven local chamber's awards, through the Illawarra regional awards and up to the pinnacle of the State Awards is a great opportunity for members to be seen on a state-wide stage at the NSW Business Chamber Awards in November."