Awards entries a reflection of diversity

PRESS RELEASE
Awards entries a reflection of North Shore’s diversity

Premier North Shore businesses are again hotly contesting the Westpac Enterprise North Shore Business Excellence Awards with all entries now with the ten-member independent judging panel.

The A.C. Blackmore Excellence in Service Delivery Award along with the 3M Excellence in Innovation Award and the Telecom Local Directories Best Emerging Business Award, drew the most entries.

Enterprise North Shore Chief Executive Terry Hoskins says the three most highly contested categories reflect the energy, vitality and commitment of North Shore businesses.

“Innovation, service and new businesses – they’re all hallmarks of an energetic business community that is working hard to please customers and bring them new and exciting products and services.”

This year’s entries came from a broad spectrum of the North Shore’s business sector.

Bruce McLachlan General Manager Business Banking for Westpac says the wide ranging nature of the businesses entering the awards is an indication that the North Shore has a vibrant business community.

“A mix such as this year’s entries that includes businesses from the manufacturing, exporting, tourism and services sector demonstrates the breadth of business activity on the North Shore. These are companies, both large and small, who are successful and are determined to make a difference.”

Furniture manufacturing company de Bruin-Judge Furniture is a first-time entrant. The company has entered into three award categories - the ACC ThinkSafe Workplace Safety Award, the Smales Farm Excellence in Environmental Management Award and the Actionmail & Alliance Construction Excellence in Marketing Award.

Director Robyn de Bruin-Judge says entering the Awards has highlighted the many aspects where the company has done well and has given the company’s team a chance to contemplate where their energies could be best spent in the future.

Seeby Woodhouse, Managing Director of ISP wholesaler, Orcon Internet, says this is the third year the company has participated in the awards.

This year’s entries are in the 3M Excellence in Innovation Award and the Massey University Excellence in Technology Award.

“We were a runner up in 2001 and then last year we won the Massey University Excellence in Technology Award. We’ve entered it again this year and have also put an entry in for the 3M Excellence in Innovation Award. The standard of the awards has risen each year.”

Chris Gregory, Director of Development at Pinehurst School in Albany, which was recently named as a Goodman Fielder School of the Year finalist, says entering the awards gives the school an excellent opportunity to take a ‘birds eye’ view of its progress. This year Pinehurst has entered the A.C. Blackmore Excellence in Service Delivery Award and the TMP/Hudson Global Resources Employer of Choice Award.

“We have been finalists for the past two years – in the A.C. Blackmore Excellence in Service Delivery category. Entering again gives us the chance to evaluate our business and reflect on the many successful things we do. Our entry has improved dramatically each year.”

Businesses entered in up to three of the 12 award categories which included two new categories this year – the Chelsea Sugar Excellence in Exporting Award and the North Shore City Council Excellence in Tourism Award.

Categories for the 2003 Awards are:

- ACC ThinkSafe Workplace Safety Award
- North Shore City Council Excellence in Tourism Award
- Tertiary Education Commission Excellence in Workplace Training Award
- A.C. Blackmore Excellence in Service Delivery Award
- Massey University Excellence in Technology Award
- 3M Excellence in Innovation Award
- Telecom Local Directories Best Emerging Business Award
- Actionmail & Alliance Construction Excellence in Marketing Award
- Chelsea Sugar Excellence in Exporting Award
- North Shore Times Advertiser Community Contribution Award
- TMP/Hudson Global Resources Employer of Choice Award
- Smales Farm Excellence in Environmental Management Award

A total of 85 entries, about the same number as last year, were received from 52 businesses. The Awards judges will evaluate entries during the next month and the finalists will be announced on July 29. The winners, including the winner of the overall Award, the Westpac Supreme Business Excellence Award winner, will be announced at a glittering Gala Dinner at the Bruce Mason Centre in Takapuna on August 28.

For tickets for the Gala Dinner contact Enterprise North Shore on
09 414-1341 or visit www.enterprisens.org.nz.

ENDS

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