Natural Health Industry Announces Top Performers

MEDIA RELEASE
23 February 2007

Natural Health Industry Announces Top Performers at Inaugural Awards

Outstanding leaders in the Natural Products Industry were recognised last night at the 2007 Natural Products New Zealand Annual Gala Dinner in Nelson.

The Awards, which are hosted by Natural Products New Zealand and sponsored by New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, acknowledged companies and individuals making a phenomenal contribution to industry and society.

Multi-national manufacturing company, GMP Pharmaceuticals scooped the Natural Products New Zealand Exporter of the Year Award, sponsored by Lock Finance, and green lipped muscle extract pioneer John Croft was recognised for his Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Natural Products Industry.

Natural Products New Zealand Executive Director Michelle Beckett said the size and depth of the industry is such that it can now justify holding its own awards.

“The natural products industry continues to grow both locally and internationally and currently contributes $500million to the New Zealand economy. The knowledge and expertise in this country is immense and it is wonderful to be able to recognise individual contributions. The awards were well contested with a high calibre of entries received during this inaugural year.”

Exporter of the Year GMP Pharmaceuticals manufactures a wide range of natural health products, from soft gel capsules to powders, chewable tablets to liquids and topical solutions.

The company offers a range of packaging options including bottles, blister packs, sachets and bags and a laboratory testing service, product development and registration services.

GMP Pharmaceuticals has seen phenomenal growth in exports to key Asian markets – an increase of 611% over the period July 2005 to June 2006.

The judging panel, which comprised Natural Products New Zealand members, said; “GMP Pharmaceuticals have produced a well planned sales and marketing plan behind their growth which has been supported by NZ Trade & Enterprise and the company has ensured that it has world-class manufacturing standards which are pivotal to its success.”

The Awards also recognised John Croft, Research Consultant at Healtheries NZ Ltd, for his Outstanding Contribution to the industry during the last 35 years.

Croft has been instrumental in establishing the green lipped mussel extract market which has spawned the development of the New Zealand marine nutraceutical industry .

Croft is the author of four books on the topic, and has been responsible for the development and research programmes associated with the extract and other marine-based therapeutic products for arthritis sufferers and joint health.

According to the judges; “John’s contribution as the founder of marine natural products in New Zealand is extremely valuable, not just to the industry, but to the nation as a whole and to the people whose arthritic pain it relieves.”

The awards were announced on the back of the annual Natural Products Summit held during the day. Participating companies ranged from natural health specialists to contract manufacturers and industry brand leaders like Healtheries, Nutra-Life Health & Fitness, Blackmores, Lifestream and Thompsons as well as research organisations and government agencies.

More than 70 companies and 100 delegates attended from around New Zealand to discuss innovation, globalisation and the future of the industry.

The Summit, now in its sixth year, is one of the most important events on the calendar for the natural product industry.

ENDS

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