Orion Systems wins AmCham Supreme Award

Orion Systems wins AmCham Supreme Award

Leading software developer provides healthcare technology globally

One of New Zealand’s largest software developers, Orion Systems International, has beaten a field of proven innovators and entrepreneurs from the wood products, manufacturing, engineering and education sectors to take the Supreme Award at the 2005 American Chamber of Commerce-UPS Business Awards.

The Awards, announced tonight (November 2) at a gala dinner in Auckland attended by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Helen Clark, and United States Consul General Siria Lopez, celebrate business innovation and success in the import, export, investment and tourism sectors between New Zealand and its second largest trading partner, the United States.

The Supreme winner is chosen from the four key category winners. Orion Systems International, which also won the Exporter of the Year – Services & Technology Award, fended off strong competition from Carter Holt Harvey’s futurebuild, winner of the Exporter of the Year – Goods Award; Cabco Group, winner of the Exporter of the Year - New and Evolving Award; and Importer of the Year, Prolife Foods.

“Choosing a supreme winner was a tight call because of the exceptional calibre of contenders,” said Mike Hearn, Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand (AmCham).

“However, Orion had the leading edge, demonstrating market leadership and customer focus with its technology for the healthcare sector. Orion also showed business disciplines and sound strategy, working not only in the US but also in many other countries to develop technology than gives healthcare providers secure, universal access to patient information and allows them to manage and co-ordinate patient care across the community.”

Orion’s US customers include the prestigious John Hopkins Hospital, the Centers for Disease Control and New York State Department of Health.

As well as the Importer and Exporter of the Year categories, awards were also given to North Marine Group as Investor of the Year from the US for their investment in Southern Spars and to the travel company Down Under Answers for Contribution to Tourism.

Simon Young, Managing Director of Alliant Energy, received the Trevor Eagle Memorial Award as AmCham Member of the Year.

President of AmCham, Alister Brown, said AmCham, which this year marks its 40th anniversary in New Zealand, stages the annual Business Innovation and Success Awards to celebrate excellence.

“The Awards also promote the value and opportunities of growing bilateral commercial ties with the US. These currently run at just under $9 billion per annum,” he said.

“Looking ahead to 2006, we want to concentrate on what New Zealand and the US have in common, rather than our differences. New Zealand’s relationship with the US is good but there is room for improvement. AmCham is looking to formally meet with the new Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministers shortly to discuss the New Zealand Government’s priorities to improve relations with the US.”

In addition to AmCham, UPS and Air New Zealand, the American Chamber of Commerce Awards are supported by Baldwins, CitiGroup, Ernst and Young, General Electric, New Zealand Steel and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

Prizes include airfares to Los Angeles or San Francisco flying Air New Zealand for the importer and exporter category winners.

Previous winners of the Supreme Award include ZESPRI International, Peace Software, Airways Corporation, HumanWare (Pulse Data) and Tenon.

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