Provenco Group wins ICT Exporter of the Year Award

November 30, 2006

Provenco Group, a company whose excellent customer knowledge and expertise in developing smart technology solutions for the retail oil industry has helped it achieve export sales of $32 million in 2006, has won the Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) Exporter of the Year Award.

The Award was presented to Provenco Group at the 2006 New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) Export Awards in Auckland on Thursday 30 November. ICT was one of seven sector awards, with the top prize, the DHL Supreme Exporter of the Year, won by Opus International Consultants.

The Awards’ judges said they were impressed with Provenco’s thorough understanding of its markets and its world leading technology. "Innovation, consumer understanding and managing strategic partnerships are all strengths of this business."

NZTE Chief Executive Tim Gibson said the calibre and achievements of this year’s Export Award winners was outstanding and inspirational.

"They are building world class companies by continually striving to take their business to the next level. And despite the diverse areas they work in, they share common strengths, including confidence, visionary leadership and the ability to do what they do extraordinarily well."

He said the companies proved that coming from a distant country of just four million people was no impediment to winning in the tough international business arena.

"We celebrate their achievements and the valuable contribution they are making to the New Zealand economy."

Provenco Group is an Auckland based publicly listed technology company with over 30 years experience developing EFTPOS and payment solutions and retail oil automation solutions. The Group’s operating revenue for 2006 was $154 million.

Chief Executive David Ritchie said over the past three years, the company’s international business, Provenco Retail Automation, has grown from being a successful local supplier of technology for the retail petroleum industry (service stations) to a thriving regional player, exporting its payment technology to more than 20 countries predominantly in the Southern Hemisphere, with recent expansions into India, Belgium, the Middle East and South-East Asia.

The company has developed sound partnerships with high profile oil companies across these regions, which use Provenco’s technology and systems to run their service stations, including point of sale, back office systems and payment devices.

Provenco has developed a suite of innovative products which can be sold as an integrated solution and implemented across multiple service station sites, or individual products that can be integrated into existing systems. Benefits to clients include greater security and reliability and lower IT, administration and hardware costs.

Mr Ritchie said continually developing new technology is one of the keys to success to working with the multi-billion dollar global oil industry; all Provenco’s research and product development is carried out at its Auckland and Palmerston North offices where staff numbers in the international division have increased by over 100 per cent in the last three years to 140.

Provenco Group is also expecting strong growth from its other key export business, Vantex, a distributor of mobile and wireless technology in the Asia-Pacific, selling leading global brands. Its sales growth is being generated through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions.

Contact: Gabrielle Domett, Group Marketing Communications Manager, Provenco Group, phone +64 9 361 0500, email Gabrielle.domett@provenco.com, www.provenco.com

Notes for editors:

The Export Awards celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2006. A historical briefing and more information including profiles of all of this year’s finalists and media information on individual sector category winners is available at www.exportawards.co.nz 

Interviews can be arranged through Jennifer Andrewes, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, phone +64 4 931 6144, mobile 027 228 0261, or email jennifer.andrewes@nzte.govt.nz

Photographs representing Provenco Group are available on request to Jennifer Andrewes.

About NZTE:

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise is the government's economic development agency, committed to helping New Zealand businesses grow their international competitiveness, capability and profitability. Visit www.nzte.govt.nz or www.exportawards.co.nz

About DHL:

DHL is the global market leader of the international express and logistics industry, specialising in providing innovative and customized solutions from a single source.
DHL offers expertise in express, air and ocean freight, overland transport, contract logistic solutions as well as international mail services, combined with worldwide coverage and an in-depth understanding of local markets. DHL's international network links more than 220 countries and territories worldwide.  285,000 employees are dedicated to providing fast and reliable services that exceed customers' expectations.

DHL is a Deutsche Post World Net brand. The group generated revenues of €56 billion in 2005.

About the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FRST):

The Foundation for Research, Science and Technology invests over $460 million a year on behalf of the New Zealand Government, in research, science and technology. These investments are made to enhance the wealth and well being of New Zealanders.

Through its Technology New Zealand suite of schemes, the Foundation assists companies to undertake research and development projects that result in new export-focused products, processes or services. Investment from the Foundation, in the form of grants, is directed at supporting technical risk and the building of technical skills and expertise in companies.

For more information visit www.frst.govt.nz

About Export New Zealand (ENZ) - The association of New Zealand exporters:

ENZ is a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), not for profit incorporated society with national coverage. ENZ specifically focuses on helping its membership of exporters and exporter service providers grow their business in the international market place. ENZ has an elected National Executive and CEO with well established regions in Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wellington and Christchurch providing the important regional presence and focus that ensures local needs are understood and met.  ENZ specifically acknowledges new export success with the Emerging Exporter Award.  This year, five regional finalists will compete for The Export New Zealand Emerging Exporter of the year award, to be presented at the NZTE Gala Awards evening in November.

For more information visit www.exportnewzealand.org.nz

Distributed by Jennifer Andrewes, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, phone +64 4 931 6144, mobile +64 27 228 0261, or email jennifer.andrewes@nzte.govt.nz