Winners revealed: BNZ Bay of Plenty ExportNZ Awards 2013

Winners revealed: BNZ Bay of Plenty ExportNZ Awards 2013

United Travel Business: Emerging Exporter of the Year
FROM: Whakatane/Kawerau
Winner: SURTEES BOATS

Page Macrae Engineering: Innovation in Export Award
FROM: Kawerau
Winner: SWITCHKITES LTD

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic: Export Achievement Award
FROM: Tauranga
Winner: BRUCE ENNIS - PAGE MACRAE ENGINEERING

ZESPRI International: Service to Export Award
From: Tauranga
Winner: GWENDA MERRIMAN

Sharp Tudhope Lawyers: Exporter of the Year
From: Rotorua
Winner: WAIARIKI INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

A capacity crowd turned out for the 23rd annual BNZ Bay of Plenty ExportNZ Awards in Tauranga last night. The theme of the evening was ‘Fairy-tales’ and a fairy-tale about an exporter from the Bay of Plenty called Stevie was told during the evening. There were many surprises including newsreader Peter Willams turning out to be the King who ‘Knighted’ the awards sponsors, Hon. Simon Bridges running on stage and stealing Cinderella from ‘Prince un-charmings’ cluthes during the waltz, and GM of Service for NZ Trade and Enterprise entering for his speech through the back door dressed as a lady and doing a very awkward dance with a confused Prince-uncharming to Joe Cockers ‘You are so beautiful’.
There were fairy-tale endings for five winners…see below.
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EMERGING EXPORTER OF THE YEAR WINNERS INFO AND JUDGES COMMENTS

Winner: Surtees Boats.
Surtees are based between Whakatane and Kawerau.
Surtees Boats design and build aluminium trailer boats for fishing and recreational use in seven different sizes; Their boats have been designed so the cabins, hard tops, seat options and more can be used on any hull length giving customers plenty of options to get the exact boat they want. This also reduces the parts inventory and build time.
Surtees has experienced steady growth over the last few years in a challenging market, and have back orders of 165 boats, which shows that people are willing to wait for a Surtee’s as they have an outstanding reputation amongst serious boaties.

JUDGES COMMENTS
Surtees overcame considerable obstacles to establish a presence in the Australian market. They learned from their mistakes and went on to establish solid relationships with core dealer networks which are now paying dividends.
A clear differentiator in their market is their ability to customise each boat to end user requirements.
Surtees has embraced social media and is harnessing the power of consumer marketing to its advantage.
Surtees has a clear commitment to quality which is evident in each stage of the production process.

JUDGES WINNERS COMMENTS
Surtees has demonstrated plenty of grit and tenacity in achieving this award.
They have experienced plenty of setbacks in entering the export business but with persistence they are successfully marketing a superior quality product into Australia and meeting the individual needs of the end user.
They are now well placed to expand their reach into new markets. Congratulations Surtees!
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PAGE MACRAE ENGINEERING INNOVATION IN EXPORT WINNER INFO AND JUDGES COMMENTS
WINNER: SWITCKKITES
Switchkites design & manufacture kite surfing equipment with the latest technology, using the highest specification materials and equipment available and sell direct to consumers via online marketing, all around the world,.
Switchkites contracted exclusive services of a world famous kite designer from San Francisco,
And they sponsored the world’s best wave rider in Hawaii
Wahoo, look at him go! Locally they sponsored young Tauranga hot shot, Marc Jacobs to enter the World Pro Tour and he is currently ranked 3rd in the world!
JUDGES COMMENTS
The team at Switchkites have challenged the traditional path to market for their products.
Through this, the business has built a loyal following of customer advocates who willingly give feedback on improvements to the products.
The judges saw a dedicated team experiencing strong business growth based on careful planning and product development.
JUDGES COMMENTS ON THE WINNER
Switchkites have built a large following of customer advocates in a short space of time with their innovative approach to direct supply and supporting their team riders.

The judges saw a team fully engaged in the business and actively encouraged to innovate and evolve the business model.

Innovation culture is seen throughout the business from their products through to tracking of individual products for after sales service.

The judges were impressed by the infectious enthusiasm of the team for their brand and product - Congratulations on your win!!
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BAY OF PLENTY POLYTECHNIC EXPORT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER INFO AND JUDGES COMMENTS

Winner: Bruce Ennis – Page Macrae Engineering
Page & Macrae are also finalists in the Exporter of the Year, and they nominated Bruce Ennis, the cargo handling equipment manager, for this award.
Page Macrae designs and produces several models of bulk grabs, log lifting equipment, discharge hoppers and other cargo handling products for the New Zealand and offshore markets.
Bruce began working for Page Macrae Engineering in 1991 as a Fitter in the shipping department where the company's focus was primarily on ship repairs. In 2004 Bruce became the shipping Manager.
As a result of a downturn in ship repairs, the department then evolved to producing cargo handling equipment.
The first real export opportunity came when an Australian company approached Page Macrae for a solution to a cargo handling problem which required the design of a custom product.
Bruce met the challenge and produced equipment that exceeded the client's expectations and this was the beginning of Page Macrae's foray into the export market.
The Page Macrae management team say that it is has been Bruce’s dedication and tireless efforts that have seen exports of these products increase to where they are now, with a significant jump in the last two years.
Bruce has always strived to respond to customers’ needs and develop products to provide solutions for Page Macrae's clients.
Bruce has many hobbies but his ultimate relaxation is going for a cruise on his Triumph rocket motorcycle with his wife Bronwyn.

JUDGES COMMENTS
Bruce is quietly taking the lead through owning the lifecycle of these products.
He is combining engineering expertise, customer insight and is developing, marketing and servicing a product suite; He is leading Page & Macrae’s impressive exporting charge.

WINNERS COMMENTS
It is known widely in Page Macrae that as they are moving from a service base to more of a manufacturing base that “all of their current exports are attributable to Bruce, and that Bruce has been developing and pushing product that are selling well overseas and without him this activity would never have got off the ground”. Bruce covers the whole gamut of designing, manufacturing, commissions and after sales support. A very impressive winner.
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WINNER OF THE ZESPRI INTERNATIONAL SERVICE TO EXPORT AWARD INFO

Winner: Gwenda Merriman
Gwenda Merriman is the winner of the ZESPRI International Service to Export Award, which is a complete secret till the night. Angela Wallace, Executive Officer of ExportNZ Bay of Plenty and Gwenda’s father Rob Jeffrey have been having clandestine meetings over the last few weeks, gathering information, quotes and photos to put in the surprise presentation shown on the night, set to the song ‘Purple Rain’ by Prince due to Gwenda’s love of the colour purple.
Gwenda is a past president and chairperson of ExportNZ Bay of Plenty and has been involved with the organisation for almost 20 years. Gwenda hold a lot of organisational history about ExportNZ and is a very valuable, supportive and stabilising member of the organisation.
Gwenda’s current roles:
Export Manager at Jeffco International Ltd
District Councillor at Western Bay of Plenty District Council
Director at Newnham Park Ltd
Director at RBI Ltd (Freight forwarding)
Director at Kiwifruit Processing Company Ltd

Gwenda work for many years or the family company ‘Jeffco’ who among other things specialist in the import and export of livestock. Gwenda accompanies thousands of animals on air-freights around the work and play a huge part of the inception of exporting livestock to China.
She is an extremely experienced exporter and always makes time to help others on their export journey. This award is particularly special since it was her birthday on the same day. She was walked up to the stage by her father and her youngest brother Craig whilst the 500 strong crowd sang her a rousing Happy Birthday.

This award is judged by past winners of the award, and we gather messages from various people in the winners life. Here are three for Gwenda..
"Having a father deeply passionate and heavily involved in exporting, stood Gwenda in good stead when she was encouraged to join the family business in [19xx] exporting livestock to Asia. That commitment quickly rubbed off on Gwenda and flowed into the Bay of Plenty Export Institute in it's early days as Gwenda contributed as a Board member. Gwenda was elected to Chair in [date] and served in that role for [xx] years.

During her term Gwenda was an outstanding passionate advocate for the Bay of Plenty and New Zealand exporting community giving of her time way over and above the call of duty. Gwenda stands as a wonderful example of whole hearted commitment and dedication to the cause and continues to do so to this day even in her role as a local Councillor.

Through the efforts of people such as Gwenda it should come as no surprise that the Bay of Plenty has established itself as one of the shining regional hubs of Export Nw Zealand today. It is a real regret that the writer could not attend the awards event this year to applaud this worthy award recipient".

Alan Bougen
Comvita Director, and 2007 winner of this award.

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From Bob Sievwright, Trimax Mowers and 2008 winner of this award

“Gwenda throws herself into everything she does. She is passionate about export and enthusiastically assists those that seek her advice. She is the ultimate export ambassador.”

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From Mayor Ross Patterson
Gwenda is a capable and valuable member of the Western Bay District Council. She has the ability to see the big picture and has a good understanding of the economic direction within Council.
Congratulations on this wonderful achievement.
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And one written by her father Rob Jeffrey who was the first winner of this award in 2003.
“Congratulations Gwenda, the family is so proud of you and we value the great contribution you continue to make to the family business.
A very happy birthday to you on this special day”

Past winners of this award are:
2013 2007 Alan Bougen
2012 Kay Rogers 2006 Murray Davies
2011 Catherine Simmons 2005 Jon Mayson
2010 Graeme Boyd 2004 Murray Hill
2009 Lionel Crawley 2003 Rob Jeffrey
2008 Bob Sievwright

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SHARP TUDHOPE EXPORTER OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER INFO AND JUDGES COMMENTS

WINNER: Waiariki Institute of Technology.
Waiariki is a Government funded Institute of Technology providing vocational training in the Bay of Plenty Region.
Waiariki is New Zealand’s fastest growing tertiary institute and a key provider in the Bay of Plenty, with the main campus located in Rotorua, and additional campuses in Taupo, Tokoroa and Whakatane.
Waiariki provides up-to-date and relevant training in key industries such as business, chef training, carpentry and electrical, art, communications and journalism, computing, forestry, early childhood education, IT, nursing and health, social sciences, tourism and hospitality, and more. (have fun with how long the list is)
JUDGES COMMENTS

“Waiariki is turning vocational training into an export success - directly generating export revenues;

They are teaching work place skills critical to our export sector and providing a uniquely New Zealand experience to hundreds and now thousands of young people from around the world”

“With its bicultural approach and multi-cultural population Waiariki promotes a holistic commitment to strengthening and supporting Maori & non-Maori students.

The enthusiasm, enjoyment and commitment from everyone on the campus is clear to see, and the results speak for themselves”

“Waiariki is carving out a position for itself in a truly global market place, they are attuned to evolving stakeholder requirements, and consciously benchmarking itself against other providers in the sector,

They are establishing a global network of agents & partner institutions, and believe that “word of mouth” advertising is the most effective marketing tool around”

COMMENTS ABOUT THE WINNER:

“Driving past Waiariki it’s not obvious that this campus is home to thousands of students each year, even given there are satellite campuses across the Bay of Plenty. With Tangatarua Marae at its heart, Waiariki is proudly bi-cultural, and genuinely multi-cultural through its students and staff”.

Exports commenced in 1978, and there are now almost 1000 equivalent full-time international students at Waiariki contributing more than $10m in export sales, almost 20% of Waiariki’s total revenue. There is a high value added component in this, and strong multiplier effect in the regional economy.

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PAST WINNERs OF THE BNZ BAY OF PLENTY EXPORTNZ AWARDS:

Proudly sponsored by United Travel Business

2013 2007 Florentines Patisserie
2012 Powersmart Solar 2006 Kiwifruit Processing Company
2011 Doherty Engineered Attachments 2005 Stainless Downunder
2010 Pollen Plus 2004 Oasis Engineering
2009 Hotmilk Ltd 2003 Avocado Oil NZ
2008 Tatou International

Proudly sponsored by Page Macrae Engineering

2013 2010 Trimax Mowers
2012 Doherty Engineered Attachments 2009 Triodent
2011 Triodent 2008 Blokart

Proudly sponsored by Bay of Plenty Polytechnic

2013 2010 Scott Coulter
2012 Hemi Rolleston 2009 Jim McEwen
2011 Lance Eagle

PAST WINNERS
OF THE BNZ BAY OF PLENTY EXPORTNZ AWARDS

Proudly sponsored by ZESPRI International

2013 2007 Alan Bougen
2012 Kay Rogers 2006 Murray Davies
2011 Catherine Simmons 2005 Jon Mayson
2010 Graeme Boyd 2004 Murray Hill
2009 Lionel Crawley 2003 Rob Jeffrey
2008 Bob Sievwright

Proudly sponsored by Sharp Tudhope Lawyers

2013 2001 Puma Darts Productions
2012 Bluelab Corporation 2000 NZ Hydroponics
2011 Triodent Ltd 1999 Comvita NZ Ltd
2010 Allied Industrial Engineering 1998 NZ Dairy Ingredients
2009 Stainless Downunder 1997 McAlpine Refrigeration Ltd
2008 Oasis Engineering 1996 Team Horticulture
2007 TrioDent Ltd 1995 Hayes International Ltd
2006 Southern Ocean Marine 1994 Bennett Mirror & Glass
2005 Automation & Electronics 1993 Trimax Industries
2004 Team Horticulture 1992 Taura Natural Foods
2003 Trimax Industries Ltd 1991 Comvita NZ Ltd
2002 Prendo Produce Ltd

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