June 16, 2005
designindustry Ltd named finalist in national business awards
Christchurch company, designindustry, has been named a finalist in the inaugural New Zealand Excellence in Business
Support Awards.
The Christchurch company made the shortlist for its work with small and medium companies – such as Methven Taps - to
help them produce products and services of distinction.
The company ‘builds’ design-bridges to connect businesses with design and their target markets through services that
include design-centred strategic planning and specialist education programmes.
Methven chief executive Rick Fala said designindustry as ‘’primarily responsible’’ for encouraging the senior
management of Methven to embrace design thinking.
``We have seen real advances and success as a result. They have a real commitment to delivering value and I would
recommend any business wishing to lift their performance to the next level to get input from the designindustry team,"
he said.
Dorenda Britten, chief executive and founder of designindustry, said being named a finalist in the awards was just
recognition of their achievements and progress as a new growing company.
``We feel honoured to be noted and to get this far is a great boost for us and South Island business. It is also a
fantastic recognition for the value of design.’’
Thirty-two finalists have been named announced across seven categories, including Microsoft NZ, the National Bank and
Sir James Fletcher.
The awards are being independently judged by the NZ Business Excellence Foundation (NZBEF) and they were created by
small business support sector specialist Sarah Trotman.
Foundation chief executive Mike Watson was impressed by the number and standard of nominated entrants.
“The standard was excellent. I was highly impressed with the quality of candidates. For the first time up with this
type of awards, it’s very good to get such a high number of quality applicants,” he said.
The NZBEF is a not-for-profit charitable trust set up to help improve the overall performance of New Zealand
organisations.
The winners will be announced at a gala dinner at Auckland Showgrounds on July 21. The awards are sponsored by Vero and
the Ministry of Economic Development.
ENDS