Finalists announced for ANZ Exporter of the Year Awards
Strategic partner of Export New Zealand and leading foreign exchange and trade services provider ANZ today announced the
finalists for the ANZ Exporter of the Year Awards.
Hosted by Export New Zealand, the ANZ Exporter of the Year Awards recognise both emerging and established exporters from
the Bay of Plenty region with strong export strategies and demonstrating excellence in marketing, foreign exchange
growth and quality management.
Finalists for the ANZ Exporter of the Year Awards in the Bay of Plenty are as follows:
Sharp Tudhope Exporter of the Year Award - established exporters: - Design Mobel, Tauranga - manufacturer of flexible
slat bed 'sleep systems' and other bedroom furniture. Supplier to Australian and NZ markets for almost 15 years. - Hayes
International, Rotorua - manufacturer of roll forming machines and associated machinery for the metal building
components manufacturing industry. Plants in NZ and Queensland, Australia. - Trimax Industries, Tauranga - exporter of
tractor-mounted mowers and mulchers and multi-spindle rotary mowers to Australia, the UK, US, South Africa and Canada. -
Thornbury Wines, Mt Maunganui - producer of New Zealand wines from grapes grown in the Hawkes Bay and Marlborough
regions, exporter to the US and Europe. - Simba International, Rotorua - marketing company for timber Lockwood Homes and
a range of wood product manufacturing companies.
United Travel at the Mount Emerging Exporter of the Year Award - less than three years exporting: - Avocado Oil NZ,
Tauranga - manufacturer and seller of cold processed extra virgin avocado oil. Exported to Australia, the UK, US, Canada
and Asia. - Panztel, Tauranga - developer of computer based EZI Traker service to enable companies to manage client
invoicing, payrolls and other administrative tasks. - New Zealand Flax Hybridisers, KatiKati - grower and exporter of
flax plant varietals to the US, Asia and the UK.
A new award this year - the Taura Export Award - will recognise an individual or organisation not directly involved in
exporting, but making a significant contribution in fostering export growth from the Bay of Plenty region.
ANZ's Head of Trade and Transaction Services Mr Graham Mills said ANZ's support of the Exporter of the Year Awards was a
practical way in which the bank could play a role in encouraging existing and new exporters to thrive.
"We're supportive of Export New Zealand's commitment to increasing the country's foreign exchange earnings and
employment opportunities through exporting. Celebrating the achievement of the Bay of Plenty's premier exporters is a
small way in which we can contribute to this aim," said Mr Mills.
"Congratulations to the finalists and we look forward to formally recognising the skills and entrepreneurship of Bay of
Plenty exporters who are taking their products and services to the world," he said.
President of Export New Zealand Bay of Plenty region Mr Lloyd Guy said Export New Zealand and ANZ had formed a strategic
partnership earlier this year to support the growth and development of the country's export sector.
"ANZ has strong national and global representation and Export New Zealand is delighted to work with ANZ business
managers and the bank's foreign exchange and trade finance specialists to support the export community," said Mr Guy.
The ANZ Exporter of the Year awards will be held in Tauranga on Friday 20 June. All nominees and finalists are based in
the Bay of Plenty region.
ANZ was ranked the top provider of foreign exchange services in New Zealand this year by global strategic consulting and
research group Greenwich Associates. The survey was based on the responses of New Zealand companies with significant
overseas transactions and who undertake substantial exporting or importing.