Owned and operated by Geoff Tighe, the Williamstown North company employs 70 people and rolls out stock for major companies, including the Australian Wheat Board and Rio Tinto.

El Zorro Transport has a policy of supporting local suppliers.

Mr Tighe joined the Victorian Railways Department in 1979 and became chief executive of V/Line Passenger Corporation, National Express and Great Northern Rail.

He has taken steps to drought-proof his business by moving into the mineral sands market and aims for El Zorro to be the first Australian company to introduce a hybrid railway engine.

He said winning the overall award was unbelievable.

"To be in the top three was fantastic - my heart went beep, beep, beep.

"I couldn't believe we'd won the big one."

Zoom Recruitment and Consulting, established in Williamstown North in 2004, won the service category.

Hobsons Bay Pet Care, which offers everything from dog walking to canine counselling, was named best emerging business.

Other winners were Nosh@Newport (restaurants and cafes), Able Industries at South Kingsville (manufacturing), Elg and Robinson Butchers at Williamstown (retail), Aqueous Solutions at Williamstown North (environmental), The Substation or Hobsons Bay Community Arts Centre Inc at Newport (good access), Quest Williamstown North (tourism) and Westgate Health Co-operative at South Kingsville (not-for-profit).

Certificates of Merit were awarded to Marks Bros Electrical and Mosaic restaurant.

The mayoral achievement award went to Mothers Art, a collective of artists based at Spotswood.

Hobsons Bay Mayor Peter Hemphill said he was "blown away" by the calibre and diversity of local businesses.

The winners were determined by a panel of judges comprising representatives of Victoria University, VECCI, Western Melbourne Tourism and neighbouring councils.