Fonterra Global Foodservice has taken out the supreme award for the 2017 Air New Zealand Cargo ExportNZ Awards for Auckland and Waikato regions.
Judges were impressed with the $1.6 billion foodservice business (which is 80% exports) and growing at around 20% per annum, returning strong margins and true added value to the dairy industry and New Zealand. In tonight’s awards, it also won the Westpac Exporter of the Year (export revenue over $25 million) category.
“These awards demonstrate the vibrancy of our export sector. Our winners and finalists show the diverse nature of exporting and the high calibre of talent and innovation that represents New Zealand on the world stage,” says Catherine Lye, Regional Manager of ExportNZ Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
“We’re all about building a community of exporters to help each other to prosper through collegial support, inspiration and sound advice. We need to celebrate the success of our exporters and these awards are just one way we do this,” says Ms Lye.
Seven category winners were announced from 24 finalists at the awards evening held in Auckland.
ExportNZ Auckland and Waikato are divisions of the Employers and Manufacturers Association.
2017 winners for the Air New Zealand Cargo ExportNZ Awards
Award category 1:
Westpac Exporter of the Year (export revenue over $25 million) was the Fonterra Global Foodservice which is renowned for innovation in dairy nutrition and preferred supplier of diary ingredients to many of the world’s leading food companies. It drives value for shareholders by converting more milk into higher value products to supply for bakeries, restaurants and hotels in more than 50 countries. [Auckland]
Other finalists were:
-Milk New Zealand Dairy [Auckland]
-New Zealand New Milk [Auckland]
Award category 2:
Ports of Auckland Exporter of the Year (export revenue $10 million – $25 million) was ABE’s Real Bagels which demonstrated a clear knowledge of its market and had a well thought through plan for future growth. It began life as café in Auckland and now sells its product into Australia’s Woolworths, Coles, Costco and IGA stores nationwide. [Auckland]
Other finalists were:
-Endeavour Consumer Health [Auckland]
-Mastip Technology [Auckland]
Award category 3:
New Zealand Trade & Enterprise Services Exporter of the Year (export revenue over $10 million) was WhereScape which is a global success story in data warehouse automation software. It helps its customers get value and business intelligence from data. Its global customers include Nike, Tesco, Volkswagen and McDonalds [Auckland]
Other finalists were:
-Cognition Education Group [Auckland]
-Hobbiton Movie Set [Waikato]
-Serko [Auckland]
-Straker Translations [Auckland]
Award category 4:
BDO Exporter of the Year (export revenue $5million – $10 million) was PowerShield which specialises in the design and manufacture of permanent battery monitoring systems and services for critical applications. This provides risk management in the event of power failure and an early identification system on the integrity and life of the batteries. [Auckland Region]
The other finalist was:
-Oob Foods [Auckland]
Award category 5:
DHL Exporter of the Year (export revenue $1 million – $5 million) was ENZO Nutraceuticals which manufactures an extract from pinus radiata bark called Enzogenol. Human clinical trials were used to show that this product improves brain function. This product is exported to more than 14 countries and is used in beverages and health supplements. [Waikato]
Other finalists were:
-Helix Flight Manufacturing Machines [Waikato]
-Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry (NZ) [Auckland]
-Olivado [Northland]
-Pollen Group [Auckland]
-Savar [Auckland]
Award category 6:
Endace Services Exporter of the Year (export revenue $1 million – $10 million) was Company X, a creative software specialist which helps customers solve their business challenges. Its project managers, business analysts and developers design, build, test and deliver cutting-edge software applications for specific business needs. [Waikato]
Other finalists were:
-HealthLink [Auckland]
Award category 7:
Baldwins Intellectual Property Best Use of Commercialisation of Innovation for Export was Invenco which is a global provider of self-service payment solutions with a range of products focused on the petroleum industry. The company is among the top five providers of outdoor payment terminals globally with existing markets in Southeast Asia and Europe. [Region]
Other finalists were:
-Abodo Wood [Auckland]
-LIC [Auckland]
-Pollen Group [Auckland]
Fairfax Media Exporters Champion – Heather Baigent
Heather Baigent has been recognised for her exemplary service to exporters and exporting. She is described as a passionate, fearless and well respected member of the export community. She is a former diplomat and corporate international manager.
Her foresight and entrepreneurial nous means she spotted the potential of Indonesia as a tier one export market, well before others.
Another critical area she has driven is advocacy around technical barriers to trade. She has championed on behalf of SME exporters the lack of investment in this area. In particular, the need to bolster the Technical Barriers to Trade Enquiry Point, which is a valuable resource to the export community.
She runs her own export-related business (Interact) and is always willing to help the wider export community through her service on many export-related councils.
