20 August 2009
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) today announced the finalists in the New Zealand International Business Awards: 17 companies, from world-leading software providers to global engineering consultants, dental technology experts and food manufacturers, growing their operations internationally and making a valuable contribution to the New Zealand economy.
Finalists, selected from more than 90 entries, are now a step closer to winning the Judges’ Supreme Award for International Business – a cash prize of $100,000 to fund further international growth. The winners across all categories will be announced at an Awards ceremony on 30 September 2009, where the business community will celebrate the success of New Zealand’s leading exporters.
The 17 companies and eight individuals named as finalists in the leadership categories span a range of industries, from ICT, services and food products to manufacturing and animal health. All finalists demonstrate a solid commitment to growing their businesses internationally and to returning benefits to the New Zealand economy.
Tim Gibson, Chief Executive of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise said, “The New Zealand International Business Awards celebrate businesses operating successfully in international markets. The standard of entries has been incredibly high. I am impressed by the number of entrants who have demonstrated not only strong business basics, but the ability to adapt and find creative ways to make themselves stand out and succeed internationally.
“Building long standing relationships that give them the inside running on new technology, tapping into the international demand for the clean green image associated with New Zealand food and establishing joint ventures with multinationals are among the ways these New Zealand companies are growing their businesses in international markets.
“These finalists make a valuable contribution to our economy by maintaining jobs in New Zealand and by bringing profits back onshore from their international operations – particularly challenging and important in the current tough conditions.
“We’ve also had the privilege of identifying emerging and outstanding international business leaders, who have achieved successful results through their leadership ability – and inspire others to follow.
“The judges face a tough task in selecting the winners.”
David Green, one of the award judges and Managing Director, Institutional New Zealand, ANZ, the Strategic Partner to the awards, also congratulated the finalists.
"New Zealand businesses are known for their innovation and strong leadership and these qualities have been demonstrated by the finalists. They have also shown that they are resilient and have strategies in place that allow them to react quickly to changing market conditions."
The New Zealand International Business Awards are organised by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) and proudly supported by Strategic Partner, ANZ. Other Award partners include Business New Zealand and TechNZ, Foundation for Research Science and Technology (FRST).
For more information about finalist companies and to buy tickets to the Awards ceremony, visit www.nzte.govt.nz/awards.
Finalist list
General categories
Best business operating internationally – under $10m
Author-it Software
Futrix Ltd
Mobile Mentor
Pitango Innovative Cuisine Ltd
Best business operating internationally - $10m to $50m
Criterion Furniture
Emerald Foods Group
Enatel Ltd
Les Mills International
Phitek Systems Ltd
Simcro Tech Ltd
Best business operating internationally - over $50m
Beca International
Gallagher Group
Tenon Ltd
Special categories
Most innovative approach to international business
BankLink
Pitango Innovative Cuisine Ltd
Tenon Ltd
Triodent Ltd
Best use of design in international business
Criterion Furniture
Emerald Food Group
Mobile Mentor
Modtec Industries Ltd
Simcro Tech Ltd
Best commercialisation of intellectual property in international business
Author-it Software
Gallagher Group Ltd
Simcro Tech Ltd
Best use of research and development in international business, supported by TechNZ
Gallagher Group
Orca (Performance Speedsuits Ltd)
Phitek Systems Ltd
Triodent Ltd
Leadership categories
Emerging international business leader
Simon Ward
Mark Eglinton
Ian King
Shane Lamont
Outstanding international business leader
Mike Daniell
Bill Gallagher
Michael Chick
John Brakenridge
For media enquiries, please contact:
Ann Clifford, NZTE, phone 04 816 8321 or 027 283 3858
Catherine Orr, nbpr, phone 09 354 0558 or 027 563 7695
About the awards
The New Zealand International Business Awards, organised by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, recognise New Zealand businesses operating successfully in international markets.
The Awards both acknowledge and encourage success by providing value to all entrants. In addition to a $100,000 Supreme Award prize, the Awards feature an evaluation programme that provides feedback to businesses on areas they can work on to become even more competitive.
Award categories are:
- Best business (small, medium and large) operating internationally
- Most innovative international business model
- Best use of design in international business
- Best commercialisation of intellectual property in international business
- Best use of research and development in international business.
The Supreme Award will be presented to an overall winner that has stood out across all of the above categories.
The Awards also recognise an emerging and an outstanding business leader who have made a significant contribution to the internationalisation of New Zealand business.
Winners will be announced at an Awards ceremony on 30 September 2009.
More information about the Awards is available from www.nzte.govt.nz/awards.
About New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) is the New Zealand government’s national economic development agency. We work to stimulate economic growth by increasing the number and size of New Zealand businesses operating successfully – from starting out, to exporting and operating as international businesses – through services that include training, market development assistance and programmes that address productivity. We have offices around the world and connect New Zealand businesses with trade and investment opportunities internationally. NZTE was awarded the World Trade Promotion Organisation’s “Best of the Best” Award at the World Trade Promotion Organisation Awards in October 2008.
