Export award finalists demonstrate vibrancy of sector

The variety of companies named as finalists in the 2018 Air New Zealand Cargo ExportNZ Awards demonstrate the vibrancy of the export sector.

From primary industry to tourism, manufacturing and high tech services, judges were impressed with the calibre and range of companies which made it through to be finalists.

Overall, there are 27 finalists in seven categories (see below) from 25 companies headquartered in Auckland and Waikato. Seven of the finalist companies are from Waikato.

"I’m delighted with the diverse range of finalists we have in this year’s awards. It’s important we take time to celebrate and acknowledge the success of our exporters," says Catherine Lye, ExportNZ Auckland Manager.

"Our awards showcase a cross-section of some of our most ingenious and innovative businesses in the export sector," says Sharon Robertson, ExportNZ Waikato Manager.

This year, the category winners from the respective ExportNZ regional awards programmes automatically qualify for entry into the New Zealand International Business Awards (NZIBA), run by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE).

The collaboration between NZTE and ExportNZ will create a cohesive and exciting programme of awards for 2018, culminating in the NZIBA at the end of the year.

ExportNZ Auckland and ExportNZ Waikato are divisions of the Employers and Manufacturers Association. The 2018 awards will be presented at a black-tie gala dinner on Thursday, June 28 in Auckland.

Finalists for Air New Zealand Cargo ExportNZ Awards 2018

Award categories:

1. DHL Best Emerging Business for Goods

- Auckland BioSciences Ltd is in the business of manufacturing and exporting premium New Zealand made animal derived serum and plasma. The four-year old company exports 90% of its products to 14 countries around the world for use in veterinary vaccines, which are critical to the health of global livestock populations. (Auckland)

- Helix Flight Manufacturing Machines Limited specialises in producing machines to manufacture sectional helix forming machines. These are used in the production of augers, screw conveyors, agitators, and many other screw flighted products. Its world leading technology "Manufacturing Machinery" and "Design Software" enables the flexible design and manufacture of highly accurate flights. (Waikato)

- Loadscan Limited enables industry to accurately manage loads instead of relying on weight or guesswork. Its system delivers insightful data including 3D load profiles, from a single drive-through scan. (Waikato)

- Progressive Hydraulics Limited specialises in design, manufacture and installation of simple to complex hydraulic industrial and mobile systems. The Hamilton based company claims its patented SharpGrade, ScapeRake and Katipo are simple, easy to use with low operating costs and exported worldwide. (Waikato)

- Spring Sheep Milk Co. is a boutique sheep milk nutrition company that produces products such as powdered milk and calcium tablets. It prides itself on the quality of the sheep milk it uses, based on the quality of life of the animals have on the farms it runs. (Auckland)

- Zeffer Cider Co. started by selling small batches of its cider at the Matakana Farmers Market in 2009, and has grown to become a leading craft cider brand and the largest independent, dedicated cider producer in New Zealand. It produces more than 500,000 litres per year (roughly equivalent to around 3,000 bottles a day), with its cider being sold throughout New Zealand and exported to China, Taiwan, USA, Australia, Thailand, Singapore, Germany, Hong Kong and Japan. (Auckland)

2. Ports of Auckland Best Medium Business for Goods

- Hunter Filling Systems Limited have been designing and manufacturing liquid and powder filling systems for more than 55 years. It also provides heat sealing, lidding, cap tightening and container handling equipment. Hunter Fillers are simple to operate, easy to clean, fast and accurate. It prides itself on its after sales service, maintenance and reconditioning. (Waikato)

- Mix Limited was born in the back room of a barber shop and has grown into a unique, natural and organic focused and brand led cosmetic business. It is one of the largest cosmetic manufacturers in New Zealand. With market leading brands Essano, Dominate, Primal Earth and Shockwaves, Mix products sell in more than 6,000 stores across Asia Pacific and online into Europe and North America. (Auckland)

- Oceanmax International Limited was built on the principle of discovering and developing high performance products which make marine craft more efficient and economical. Oceanmax is the innovative manufacturer and distributor of Propspeed, a coating that is recognised globally as the best prevention of marine growth and fouling of propellers and running gear. (Auckland)

- Ross Roof Group Limited is a family owned roofing company celebrating 75 years in the industry. With a strong focus on exporting their stone-coated steel tiles, they now operate in all regions of the world with six offices and 17 staff located in the USA, UK, Europe, Japan, UAE and Argentina. (Auckland)

3. Westpac Best Large Business for Goods

- Gallagher Group Limited are a global leader in designing ground breaking animal management, security and fuel systems solutions. As a successful private company in New Zealand, Gallagher employ more than 1,000 staff worldwide throughout North America, Europe, Asia, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. (Waikato)

- Invenco Group Limited is a global provider of self-service payment solutions. Its open platform products include secure outdoor payment terminals supported by industry-certified cloud services. It is revolutionising self-service payments with its open platform approach. (Auckland)

- Milk New Zealand Diary Ltd manages the export division of the Milk New Zealand Group. The company strategy is to build a business supplying consumer products by using its assets and through collaboration with suitable partners. It is committed to continually improving the quality and reputation of high value added New Zealand dairy products to the world. (Auckland)

- New Zealand Bloodstock is a leading thoroughbred bloodstock company servicing an international customer base through its auction house, airfreight, insurance, and finance operations. New Zealand thoroughbreds perform at the highest levels in all major racing jurisdictions and NZB’s Karaka Sales Centre is renowned as the primary source of these champion racehorses. (Waikato or Auckland?)

4. Best Emerging Business for Services

- Haka Educational Tours Limited is part of the award-winning Haka Tourism Group and is a dedicated academic and sport travel company. From curriculum focused school trips, to faculty led University tours and touring school sports teams, it provides a solution for all global student travel needs. (Auckland)

- EverEdge Global provides advisory services in the field of intellectual property and intangible assets to all sizes and types of businesses, with a specialised practice in valuation services. Today, intangible assets account for over 87% of a company’s value (Auckland)

5. BDO Best Medium Business for Services

- Company-X is a fast growing software specialist company which designs and develops bespoke software solutions. Clients include large, multi-national, businesses headquartered oversea. It is ranked on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Asia Pacific 2017 index of the 500 fastest growing technology companies in the region. (Waikato)

- Mindfull helps businesses grow through deep data insights. It empowers its clients with real-time financial planning and decision support, including a proprietary product called QUBEdocs. Its client list includes multinationals like Boeing, Heineken, California University, through to local organisations such as NZ Post and NZ Defence. (Auckland)

- More4Apps creates solutions for users of the Oracle E-Business Suite. In 2000 its developers identified the need for desktop software that enables the easy upload of transactions and other information to Oracle and it has been growing since then. It specialises in providing products for both end-users and developers.

- Valocity Limited is a technology and property data company that is transforming the mortgage and valuation management process. Through its digital platforms it connects the lender, the valuer, the broker and the consumer with accurate and comprehensive property data. This helps achieve increased regulatory compliance and while offering a more seamless customer experience. (Auckland)

6. Best Large Business for services

- EROAD modernises road charging, tax compliance and health and safety compliance by replacing paper-based systems with easy-to-use electronic systems that also improve fleet management. The company is headquartered in Auckland, and listed on NZX. Its US business is based in Portland, Oregon, serving customers with vehicles operating in every mainland state of the United States of America. (Auckland)

- Gentrack Group Limited designs, builds, deploys and provides supporting solutions for some of the most progressive utilities and airports around the world. Pairing powerful platforms with deep market knowledge, Gentrack enables customers to lower service costs, foster innovation and confidently navigate market reform. (Auckland)

7. Baldwins Intellectual Property Excellence in Innovation

- Endace Technology Limited helps its customers manage critical data networks. Via its platforms it helps its customers to accurately detect, investigate and analyse network security and performance issues. Global customers include banks, hospitals, telecommunications companies, healthcare providers, retailers, web giants and governments. (Auckland)

- Valocity Limited is a technology and property data company that is transforming the mortgage and valuation management process. Through its digital platforms it connects the lender, the valuer, the broker and the consumer with accurate and comprehensive property data. This helps achieve increased regulatory compliance and while offering a more seamless customer experience. (Auckland)

- Organic Initiative (Oi) is a New Zealand social enterprise focused on removing plastic from hygiene products. Oi’s product range delivers premium, 100% certified organic, healthy, and yet affordable women’s sanitary items including tampons, pads and liners and Oi’s natural alternative to tampons and pads - the Oi Cup. The range can be found in all major supermarkets, pharmacies and health shops. (Auckland)

- Spring Sheep Milk Co. is a boutique sheep milk nutrition company that produces products such as powdered milk and calcium tablets. It prides itself on the quality of the sheep milk it uses, based on the quality of life of the animals have on the farms it runs. (Auckland)

- Serko is Australasia’s leading online travel booking and expense management solution provider. More than three million people across 25 countries have access to its technology, and more than 6000 companies in Australasia alone, rely on Serko to help them cut the cost of corporate travel and automate expense reconciliation. (Auckland)

The other two categories are the Air New Zealand Cargo Supreme Winner (selected from the winners of award categories 1-6) and the Auckland International Airport Exporters Champion (for exemplary services to export), which are announced at the awards evening in June.

ENDS

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