Thursday 19 March 2015
NATURAL PRODUCT INDUSTRY 2015 AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Natural Products NZ this evening announced the winners of its annual industry awards:
Label & Litho Sustainability Award: Absolute Essential
James & Wells Intellectual Property Excellence in Marketing Award:
Winner: Comvita
Highly commended: FlowMotion
DHL Global Marketing Excellence in Export Award: GMP Pharmaceuticals
Natural Products NZ (NPNZ) is a national industry organisation representing this country’s natural products, functional
foods, complementary medicines, cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals industries.
Announcing the winners, NPNZ’s Executive Director Alison Quesnel said a recent survey showed the natural products
industry contributes around $1.4 billion to New Zealand’s economy and that growth had been reflected in the record
number of Awards entries received this year.
“Entrants are expanding into new markets, demonstrating innovation in both product design and marketing strategies. This
growth and success was reflected in the quality and quantity of Awards entries received; the sector is certainly in
great heart,” she says.
Award winner overviews
JAMES & WELLS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY EXCELLENCE IN MARKETING AWARD: COMVITA
This award recognises a company or employee of the company who has achieved exceptional results from the innovative
marketing, advertising or promotion of a service or product achieving significant market growth or market access.
Paengaroa-based Comvita won the award for its work in repositioning the Medihoney range from focusing on first aid, to
also including eczema. The marketing campaign proved highly successful in raising consumer and trade awareness of
Medihoney as a natural eczema management preparation.
Judges were impressed with Comvita’s superb implementation of a systematic approach to marketing with innovative
solutions and its thorough understanding of – and empathy with – customers’ needs.
NZX listed Comvita is an international natural health and beauty products company that is committed to the development
of innovative products and backed by ongoing investment in scientific research. It is the world leader in Manuka
(leptospermum) honey and fresh-picked olive leaf extract, which are at the core of its product range. Comvita sells into
more than 18 countries.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: FLOWMOTION
Nelson-based FlowMotion produces, markets and distributes FlowMotion Organic Lubricant. It is the only organic personal
lubricant sold in New Zealand supermarkets, and is also one of only two BioGrow NZ Certified Organic personal lubricant
products sold in this country.
Since identifying a gap in the market, it took founder Michele Surcouf less than a year to develop, market and
distribute the product, which has rapidly gained a strong and rapidly growing following throughout New Zealand.
Judges commented that FlowMotion totally gets how to market a new product, and had well researched customer insights.
LABEL & LITHO SUSTAINABILITY AWARD: ABSOLUTE ESSENTIAL
This award celebrates the entrant that has either; a) best implemented the principles of sustainability throughout their
company, products and people; and / or b) applied considerable changes across several platforms to demonstrate a move
toward becoming a sustainable business.
Absolute Essential, which is based at Muriwai (north-west Auckland) has 25 years’ holistic healthcare experience. The
company produces fair-trade aromatherapy, pure essential oils, organic natural skin care and natural health products
that are sourced from small, organic farms and sustainable wild harvests. Every aspect of the company’s operations –
from its people, its product and its interface with the environment – is managed in a sustainable manner.
Award judges were highly impressed with Absolute Essential’s entry, stating it was outstanding and one of the best
entries seen to date. They went on to say that it: “Clearly shows every level of the business process is engaged in
sustainability good practice.”
DHL GLOBAL MARKETING EXCELLENCE IN EXPORT AWARD: GMP PHARMACEUTICALS
For the company with the most significant export growth and/or who has successfully conquered new market/s in 2014.
GMP Pharmaceuticals Group is a leading privately-owned Australia and New Zealand based manufacturing company
specialising in pharmaceuticals, natural health and dairy products. Its East Tamaki, Auckland factory is one of New
Zealand’s largest privately owned contract manufacturers and has this country’s only pharmaceutical grade standard milk
production facilities.
Last year a combination of regulatory changes and the fallout from Fonterra’s botulism scare saw GMP experience
significant challenges when selling into its most lucrative market, China. Despite this, GMP’s sound strategy and
excellent practices resulted in a 72.5% increase in international sales revenue in the financial year ended 31 March
2014.
Judges were impressed with the extent to which GMP is achieving excellent export growth, adding value to local
ingredients, and selecting export markets through a combination of research, business connections and internal cultural
competencies. They noted GMP’s: “Great SWOT analysis and transition into a clear export plan, with objectives, KPIs and
measures.”
ENDS