Winners of the ANZ Auckland Export Awards 2007

Winners of the ANZ Auckland Export Awards 2007

MEDIA RELEASE 25 June 2007

Orion Health, Specialist Marine Interiors, The Sweet Shop, Endace Measurement Systems and A Ward Attachments took the top honours at the ANZ Auckland Export Awards 2007. The awards celebrate exporters’ innovation and sheer determination to export during difficult times.

Orion Health claimed The Mondiale Auckland Exporter of the Year award. This was the most hotly contested of all the sections. “There were several strong contenders and it was fine details which swung the balance in the end,” said Convener of Judges for Export New Zealand, Auckland, Hugh Cronwright of Marquet Trading Ltd.

Orion produces software for the medical profession. With offices in six countries, Orion focuses on its customers’ needs to provide the best solutions possible. Judges said the company’s innovation, vision and commitment to research and development were key components enabling Orion to win in a highly competitive global market.

Ian Mcrae, CEO of Orion said winning The Mondiale Auckland Exporter of the Year “gives our staff an opportunity to celebrate success.”

Specialist Marine Interiors Ltd of Whangarei was awarded the The Air NZ Cargo Auckland Emerging Exporter of the Year. Specialist Marine manufactures and installs super-yacht and aircraft interiors. The company impressed the judges with its careful and detailed approach to every step of manufacture. Its growth in export sales has been excellent and orders are strong. More than 70 staff are currently working overseas installing interiors for super-yachts.

As winner of The Air NZ Cargo Auckland Emerging Exporter of the Year Award, Specialist Marine Interiors will compete for The Export New Zealand National Emerging Exporter of the Year honour to be presented at the 2007 New Zealand Export Awards in November.

The Sweet Shop is The DB Breweries Auckland Service Provider of the Year. The Sweet Shop produces advertising and promotional material for top New Zealand and international brands. Last year, it brought $8.5 million into the New Zealand economy through film work. The judges were highly impressed by The Sweet Shop’s flair and enthusiasm. It constantly seeks out new technology and approaches.

Two excellent companies share the Auckland Export Deal of the Year, A Ward Attachments Ltd and Endace Measurement Systems Ltd.

A Ward Attachments manufactures heavy industrial cutting and demolition equipment. It has been recognised previously as runner-up for Emerging Exporter of the Year.

Last year, Managing Director Simon Ward secured a deal from a US company for A Ward Attachments to supply equipment for 60 recycling yards, representing $19.7 million in the next five years. This deal has just been increased to 70 yards and is now worth $26.2 million.

The deal involves the supply of specialised heavy engineered products that A Ward Attachments have designed, patented and made. The judges say this award has been proudly earned by a determined man and his innovative company.

In March, software maker Endace delivered the world's first monitoring system capable of seeing every communication flowing on a network operating at the fastest speed ever deployed. Endace secured an order worth $1.6 million and was able to design and deliver the product in eight months flat to one of the largest telecommunications service providers in the US.

The judges said Endace is a fine example of Kiwi ingenuity going global in the high-tech sector.

Winner of Hamburg Süd container worth US$5000 (NZ$6500) was Mead International Ltd, producer of fresh food and specialty food products.

As this is Export Year 07, it is fitting that the number of applicants was up strongly this year. Twenty per cent of the entries were in the ICT sector. The quality of entrants was very high, indeed resulting in strong competition, said Mr Cronwright. Judges made detailed study of applications and the companies’ websites, followed by site visits to the businesses themselves to make the final selections.

Export New Zealand, and Principal Sponsor of the Awards, ANZ, congratulate the winners and all the fine companies which entered this year’s ANZ Auckland Export Awards. The awards were presented at a Gala Dinner on 22 June at the Hyatt Regency.

ENDS

Note to editors: A Ward Attachments (A space Ward) is correct.

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