Health sector comes up trumps at Business Awards

Media release - Wednesday 17 August 2011

Health sector comes up trumps at Business Awards

The health sector came away triumphant at the Westpac Auckland South Business Awards 2011 at a prestigious Gala Dinner on Friday night.

Along with being announced as Supreme Winner on the night, four out of the nine award-winning businesses are in the health sector.

East Tamaki Healthcare was announced 2011 Westpac Auckland South Business of the Year Supreme Winner, also winning the Cogita Excellence in Innovation and Strategy and RSM Prince Excellence in Service Delivery awards.

Botany-based private facility Ormiston Hospital won the Wiri Licensing Trust Excellence in Emerging Business Award with Recovery Solutions Group, a mental health trust, winning the Brookfields Lawyers Excellence in Employer of Choice Award.

GMP Pharmaceuticals, the biggest supplement manufacturer in New Zealand, won the Employers and Manufacturers Association Excellence in Manufacturing Award.

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development's Manager Business Development - South, Yvette Hellyer, says the success of these businesses highlights the strength of this industry in the region.

"The number of health sector winners in the 2011 Westpac Auckland South Business Awards highlights the industry's perseverance and innovation in these challenging economic conditions. This industry is strong and dynamic in the area which has been apparent through the awards. South Auckland's health sector manufacturers alone turn over an estimated $560 million per year," says Ms Hellyer.

"The winners are an inspiration for other businesses and a reflection of what is being achieved. These awards recognise their contribution to the south Auckland economy and community as a whole."

The innovation and strategy category in particular was dominated by the health sector, with three out of the four finalists, winner East Tamaki Healthcare, Recovery Solutions Group and GMP Pharmaceuticals, in this field.

Judge Garry Reynolds says, "The judges were surprised to see a large percentage of entries in the innovation and strategy category were health sector and wellbeing companies as we thought this to be a mature industry. It turned out that, like successful entries across every industry, effective strategy was a competitive advantage and innovation was a means to stay ahead of the competition."

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) facilitates the Westpac Auckland South Business Awards 2011, which cover the entire south Auckland area, including the Franklin Ward.

The awards were instigated 19 years ago to recognise, encourage and assist business growth and development in the south Auckland region.

ENDS

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