Productivity Award initiative expands into Waikato

BOP NZTE Productivity Award initiative expands into the Waikato

A unique productivity assessment is providing Bay of Plenty and Waikato businesses with the opportunity to benchmark themselves and compete for an NZTE Productivity Award in each region.

The NZTE Productivity Award is part of the Waikato and the Bay of Plenty Sustainable Business Network Awards, which are held in September.

The Award targets business practices such as lean manufacturing or other systems that allow them to increase their output while reducing resource use, waste or time.

Jo Wills, Regional Manager of the Sustainable Business Network Bay of Plenty/Waikato, says, “We are really pleased to introduce the productivity assessment, which we developed in conjunction with NZTE, to the Waikato. The assessment garnered very positive feedback when it was launched in the BOP last year, helping to bridge the gap between sustainable practice and mainstream business.”

SBN runs regional awards around the country, as well as the NZI National Sustainable Business Network Awards. However, the NZTE Productivity Award is exclusive to Bay of Plenty and Waikato businesses.

Trevelyan’s Pack and Cool won the 2009 NZTE Productivity Award in the BOP.

“This is a way in which we can offer increased value to businesses located within these two regions where significant industry is situated. Highlighting the business case for sustainability through the principles of long term productivity is a key way that we believe we can assist business to be the driver for change in NZ,” says Wills.

The award will take into consideration the strategic approach businesses have taken to productivity, as well as the influence they have had with stakeholders, including staff, suppliers and customers.

Lionel Crawley, NZTE’s Regional Manager Bay of Plenty, says, “Productivity is of vital importance both for business success and to lift economic growth in our region. There is also a clear link between productivity and sustainability as both require a focus on reducing waste, so we are keen to see as many businesses as possible complete the assessment and enter the Award.”

The Award is free to enter for businesses in the Bay of Plenty and the Waikato.
ENDS

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