13th Westpac Franchise Awards Winners 2007

Press Release
12th November 2007

Mobile carpet franchise, Carpet One New Zealand, received the top franchise industry accolade for Supreme Franchise System of the year at the 13th Westpac Franchise Awards, hosted on Saturday night by the New Zealand Franchise Association. Carpet One executive chairman Patrick Harrison also accepted the award for the best Retail Franchise System.

The Supreme Westpac Franchisee of the Year award went to Te Puke based couple Alan and Michelle Cook with their Fonterra franchise – Mace Holdings Limited. They also won the Franchise NZ Magazine and Website Food and Beverage Franchise Award.

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The award dinner, possibly New Zealand’s wealthiest business award ceremony, was held at Auckland’s upmarket Langham Hotel, showcasing the best franchises and franchisees in the country which generate more than $10.4 billion in the national economy.

“In a very competitive market Carpet One has focused on the innovative use of technology to meet customer needs, drive greater efficiency into its system and deliver far greater profit to the bottom line of both franchisees and the system itself,” said head judge New Zealand Business Excellence Foundation (NZBEF) CEO Mike Watson.

“The company is a very worthy winner of both the Best Retail Franchise System award and the supreme title of Franchise System of the Year award,” he added.

Carpet One launched in New Zealand 10 years ago, providing a direct door-to-door service selling carpet. The company operates a fleet of mobile showrooms which carry more than 1000 oversized samples of all the latest colours, styles and textures in floor coverings from a selection of New Zealand and Australia's premium manufacturers.

A hands-on approach and ability to think outside the square has seen the Bay of Plenty Fonterra Franchise - Mace Holdings Limited win the Food and Beverage Franchisee award and claim top honours as Supreme Franchisee of the Year.

Owner-operators of Mace Holdings Limited, Alan and Michelle, started their business three years ago and in that time they have established themselves as market leaders within the Te Puke region delivering Anchor milk and beverages.

Judges commented that the Cook’s demonstrated a very strong relationship with the local community which was crucial to retaining their 80 per cent share of what is essentially a limited market. The Judges were also impressed by the excellent business planning backed up by the extensive support from the Franchisor.

Entry numbers in all categories were extremely strong, and applicants had to undergo a much more rigorous application procedure than in previous years, as the association stepped up to the New Zealand Business Excellence Foundation (NZBEF) standards.

“We’ve been working alongside the Franchise Association to bring its award standard up to the same level as other major programmes,” said Mike Watson, NZBEF CEO and head judge of the 13th Westpac Franchise Awards. “It has greatly improved its processes and has implemented a much more robust process this year.

“As a result the calibre of entrants for 2007 has been very impressive and it made the job of judging a very challenging one.”

The 13th Westpac New Zealand Franchise Award winners:

Supreme Awards Winner Region
Supreme Award Westpac Franchise System of the Year Carpet One New Zealand Ltd
Auckland
Supreme Award Westpac Franchisee of the Year Mace Holdings Ltd -
Fonterra Brands (NZ) Ltd Te Puke
Special Awards Winner
Westpac Service Provider of the Year LINK Business Broking Ltd
Auckland

Award Category Winner Region
BDO Spicer Business Services Franchisee of the Year Rapida Cleaning Ltd – Paramount Services Ltd Auckland
BDO Spicer Business Services Franchise System of the Year Fastway Couriers (NZ) Ltd Napier
Franchise NZ Magazine & Website Food & Beverage Franchisee of the Year Mace Holdings Ltd -
Fonterra Brands (NZ) Ltd Te Puke
Franchise NZ Magazine & Website Food & Beverage Franchise System of the Year Fonterra Brands (NZ) Ltd
Auckland
Franchisebusiness.co.nz Home Services Franchisee of the Year Enterprise Le Moigne
VIP Home Services NZ Auckland
Franchisebusiness.co.nz Home Services Franchise System of the Year V.I.P. Home Services NZ
Auckland
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Snap Print Lifestyle Services Franchisee of the Year Quest Newmarket
Auckland
Snap Print Lifestyle Services Franchise System of the Year Roost 2007 Limited
Dunedin
Retail Franchisee of the Year Mr Rental Hamilton
Hamilton
Retail Franchise System of the Year Carpet One New Zealand Ltd Auckland

With more franchises per capita than any other country in the world, New Zealand’s franchise industry is setting the international standard, says Franchise Association General Manager Peter Fergusson.

Just back from three international conferences, including the World Franchise Council AGM, Mr Fergusson said the New Zealand industry was in great shape.

“New Zealand tends to underestimate its standing and capability in the world market,” he said. “Comparisons at the conferences I recently attended showed that our franchise concepts and systems are world-class, our sector growth and organisation is admired and there are superb opportunities for our best businesses to export.”

New Zealand’s franchise industry generates more than $10.4 billion in the national economy. More than 70,000 Kiwis are employed by over 14,000 individually owned franchisee businesses, in an industry that has created hundreds of millionaires.

“New Zealand is seen internationally as one of the franchise leaders and appears to have a fantastic balance in comparison to many other countries,” said Mr Fergusson.

For further information visit www.franchiseassociation.co.nz

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Notes to the Editors:

The 2007 13th Westpac Franchise Awards Judging Panel:

Head judging convenor: Mike Watson– Chief Executive NZ Business Excellence Foundation

Prof Gael McDonald – Professor of Business Ethics, Vice-President, Research, Unitec

Kevin Connell ¬– Independent Scrutineer, Franchise Association of New Zealand

Fran Mitchell – Performance Excellence Project Leader, Auckland Regional Council

Ian Ris – Strategic Business Development Adviser, Progressive Business Solutions

Maureen Reid – Director of Planning, AUT University

Annie Rennie – Training and Coaching Facilitator, Empowering People

Jane Tito – Membership Services Manager, New Zealand Business Excellence Foundation

Leanda Newitt – Awards & Administration Manager, New Zealand Business Excellence Foundation

Sarah Butler – Performance Analyst, Auckland Regional Council

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