Energy Mad founders win innovation award

BAYER INNOVATOR AWARDS

Media Release - 15 August 2008

Energy Mad founders win prestigious innovation award

Christchurch entrepreneurs Chris Mardon and Tom Mackenzie were picked from a strong field of ten finalists to win a Bayer Innovators Award for their energy efficient light bulbs.

The awards ceremony was held in Auckland at the Hyatt Hotel last week (05 August).

Energy Mad won the design and engineering category of the Bayer Innovators Awards, one of six categories encompassing a wide range of industries and sectors.

The company was recognised by the judges as an excellent example of an organisation picking market trends and designing to take market share with features that give them strong competitive advantages.

Energy Mad developed the Ecobulb, which removed the flaws of early compact fluorescent lamps and is now in more than 50 per cent of all New Zealand homes. These will save enough electricity over their lifetime to power all of the homes in a city the size of Christchurch for one year.

More than a hundred people representing 60 finalists across six categories attended the Awards.

Hans-Dieter Hausner, Senior Country Representative Bayer Australia and New Zealand said that as a global company with a proud history of research and development, Bayer recognised the link between innovation and business success.

“At any one time Bayer is involved in up to 100 research trials in New Zealand, whether it’s a new cancer treatment, a new crop protection product or a new cattle drench, said Hans-Dieter Hausner.

Last year Bayer spent more than NZ$5 billion on research and development.

“Innovation is the key to future business success, which is why we support the Bayer Innovators Awards in association with the National Business Review.”

The six category award winners in the Bayer Innovators Awards were:

1. Agriculture and environment: Johan Verbeek, University of Waikato & Novatein, Waikato.
2. Design and Engineering: Chris Mardon and Tom Mackenzie, Energy Mad, Christchurch.
3. Information Technology and Communications: Mike Carden and Mark Hellier, Sonar 6, Auckland.
4. Manufacturing: David Percy, Pertronic, Hutt Valley.
5. Research and Development: Ray Avery, Medicine Mondiale, Auckland.
6. Science and Health: Olaf Diegel, AUT University, Auckland.

ENDS

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