November 30, 2006
New Zealand’s top exporter for 2006 is Opus International Consultants, a company that’s come a long way from its origins as the Ministry of Works and Development to become the country’s leading engineering, architecture, planning and property management consultancy.
Opus outperformed 18 other finalists to be named the DHL Supreme Exporter of the Year by the Prime Minister Helen Clark at the 2006 New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) Export Awards at Auckland’s Sky City Convention Centre tonight. Opus also won the Services Exporter of the Year Award.
Based in Wellington, Opus achieved record revenue of $217 million last year. About $37 million was from exports, up from $12 million in 2003. The company was applauded by the Awards’ judges who called Opus a ‘truly global company that is consistently upgrading and constantly innovating.’
They said Opus’ international evolution, its complexity, scale and sharing of knowledge across international subsidiaries is indicative of a company that demonstrates excellence across the board.
Presently Opus has over 1800 staff in 58 offices throughout Australia, Canada UK and New Zealand.
Opus Chief Executive, Dr Kevin Thompson, said the skills and capability the company has developed over decades working in New Zealand have been instrumental in building the business internationally.
A key strength is Opus’ road asset management capability, a niche in which Dr Thompson said New Zealand was regarded as a world leader. Some of the high profile international projects Opus is currently involved in are the upgrading of the London Underground Piccadilly Line stations and the British Columbia highway privatisation programme.
NZTE Chief Executive Tim Gibson described the calibre and achievements of this year’s Export Award winners as 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.”
NZTE also awarded a special New Thinking commendation to two companies: phil&teds Most Excellent Buggy Company Ltd and 42 Below Ltd in recognition of the New Thinking approach they take to their business through creativity, innovation and technology.
The 2006 NZTE Export Award winners are:
DHL Supreme Exporter of the Year, Services Exporter of the Year Opus International Consultants, Wellington
Agritechnology, Life Sciences and Biotechnology Exporter of the Year Comvita Ltd, Bay of Plenty
Creative Exporter of the Year phil&teds Most Excellent Buggy Company Ltd, Wellington
Food and Beverage Exporter of the YearHealtheries of New Zealand Ltd, Auckland
Information, Communications and Technology Exporter of the Year Provenco Group, Auckland
Specialised Manufacturing Exporter of the YearSkellerup Industries Ltd, Canterbury
Wood Building and Interiors Exporter of the Year Pacific Forest Products Ltd, Auckland
New Thinking Commendationsphil&teds and 42Below Ltd
DHL is the major sponsor of the Export Awards, and Tim Gibson thanked them for their ongoing commitment to New Zealand’s exporters.
DHL Express General Manager, Derek Anderson, said DHL was very pleased to continue supporting the Export Awards, and the talented exporters who are attaining success internationally.
"We would like to congratulate the 2006 Export Awards winners for their outstanding successes, demonstrating that they are great role models for our future achievers. With many of the Export Award winners over the years being customers of DHL, we are extremely proud to support such competitive and leading-edge players in today’s dynamic global marketplace.”
In addition to the NZTE Export Awards, Export New Zealand presented their National Emerging Exporter of the Year.
Export New Zealand Emerging Exporter of the Year: Radiola Aerospace, Porirua
The Foundation for Research, Science and Technology announced their Technology Commendations for 2006 earlier this week and presented the winners with their trophy and certificate at the Awards Ceremony.
FRST Technology Commendations: Optimation New Zealand Ltd, WellingtonCompac Sorting Equipment Ltd, AucklandWeta Productions Ltd, WellingtonMako Networks, Auckland
Notes for editors:
The Export Awards celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2006. A historical briefing, more information about 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 and full profiles of winning companies are available on request to Jennifer Andrewes.
Contact for 2006 DHL Supreme Exporter of the Year: Richard Silcock, Marketing Services & Corporate Communications Manager, Opus International Consulting, phone +64 4 471 7047, Richard.silcock@opus.co.nz, www.opus.co.nz
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
newzealand.govt.nz - connecting you to New Zealand central & local government services
© 2003-2008 New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
