Spotlight shines on Manukau's top businesses

Winners of 2010 Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards announced:

§ Bluebird Foods Ltd wins Westpac Business of the Year Supreme Award
§ Boardertown Ltd recognised as The New Zealand Herald Small Business of the Year for the second year running
§ Eight companies were honoured in total
§ Spookers recognised for their Contribution to the Community
§ Tim Guy, co-founder of Boardertown Ltd, named as Manukau City Council Young Business Person of the Year

Years of business development and weeks of intensive judging were distilled into one exceptional night for finalists in the 2010 Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards. Winners took the opportunity to celebrate their success at the glamorous Gala Dinner on 17 September at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre.

Two companies walked away with three Awards each, the first being Bluebird Foods Ltd. As well winning the sought-after 2010 Westpac Business of the Year Supreme Award, the well-known snack brand also won the Brookfield Lawyers Employer of Choice Award and the EMA Excellence in Manufacturing Award.

Bluebird Foods’ vision is to be New Zealand’s fastest growing and favourite convenience food company. This is supported by an organisational commitment to deliver sustained growth through empowered people acting with responsibility and trust.

The other company to scoop three Awards was Boardertown Ltd, a Botany Town-based retailer of snowboards, wakeboards and skateboards as well as clothing and accessories.

Boardertown won The New Zealand Herald Small Business of the Year for the second year running, plus the Wiri Licensing Trust Excellence in Emerging Business Award. Co-founder Tim Guy was also named as the Manukau City Council Young Business Person of the Year.

The other winners are:

The International Travel College of New Zealand (ITC) was presented with two Awards: the RSM Prince Excellence in Service Delivery Award, and the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Award.

Providing full time and distance learning training programmes to the airline, travel and tourism industries, The International Travel College of New Zealand promotes itself as the premium travel and tourism college in the Auckland and Manukau Region. It has placed more than 2,000 students during its 14 years of operation.

Envirofert Ltd won the Manukau Water Excellence in Environmental Management Award. Based near Pukekohe, Envirofert operates one of the largest composting sites in New Zealand, covering 100 acres of consented land. Envirofert also operates a 40 acre “cleanfill” where inert materials are stored and reprocessed over time. The company also collects greenwaste and waste plasterboard, so that these materials do not go to landfill.

The winner of the NALCO Excellence in Exporting Award is GMP Pharmaceuticals. GMP Pharmaceuticals provides end-to-end contract manufacturing and packaging of health products and neutraceuticals. 85% of the products manufactured by the company are exported, either directly or indirectly.

HTC Specialised Tooling Ltd won the Cogita Excellence in Innovation and Strategy Award. Based in East Tamaki, the company offers sales, hire and service of high force hydraulic tools and other specialised equipment, as well as calibration of torque wrenches and crimping tools to industry throughout New Zealand. The company has worked with contractors on many high-profile projects such as the Northern Gateway project, Manukau Harbour Crossing, Newmarket Bridge replacement, and windfarm developments.

HTC Specialised Tooling Ltd also won the Sir Barry Curtis Excellence in Governance Award. PricewaterhouseCoopers are the judges of this Award. As advisors to both large and small organisations across New Zealand, the team recognise what it takes for an organisation to implement effective corporate governance structures.

The ACC Workplace Safety Award went to Progressive Enterprises Limited. Progressive is one of the largest single retail organisations in New Zealand, operating the Countdown, Woolworths and Foodtown supermarket brands. The company is one of New Zealand’s most significant employers with more than 18,000 people engaged nationwide across nearly 200 sites. These including 152 supermarkets, several meat processing plants, numerous warehouse operations, 22 fuel forecourts and support offices.

Spookers were presented with the Auckland Communities Foundation Manukau Fund Business Contribution to the Community Award. Spookers is a live entertainment experience in which visitors move through a theatrically-themed Haunted House environment populated by sets, props and live scare-actors. As the victims walk through the experience they will encounter visual, tactile and sounds effects intended to scare them.

“There is no doubt that all of these companies are highly deserving,” says Ian Blair, General Manager, Westpac Business Banking. “The Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards judge companies on all the fundamental aspects of business management, and to be named as a winner is a sign of a truly excellent approach to doing business.

“The high standards set by these businesses are inspiring. On behalf of Westpac, I congratulate all the winners on their success in these Awards.”

Manukau City Council Mayor Len Brown believes that successful business underpins every thriving city.

“Economic strength brings personal strength, and the companies that are named as winners in the Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards are leaders in what they do, as employers, innovators and industry champions.”

“As Manukau City evolves into being part of the Auckland Super City, I am sure that we will continue to see this region being a powerhouse for business and economic growth. I am very proud to go into this new era by celebrating what we’ve achieved, right here in Manukau.”

Sponsors of the Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards include the Wiri Licensing Trust, New Zealand Herald, Brookfields Lawyers, EMA, NALCO, COGITA, RSM Prince, Manukau Water, TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre, ACC and the Auckland Communities Foundation Manukau Fund. Manukau City Council and Westpac are the major sponsors of these awards, which are delivered on behalf of the council by Enterprising Manukau. These Awards were instigated 18 years ago to recognise, encourage and assist business growth and development.

ENDS