Pumpkin Patch grows into a supreme winner

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Pumpkin Patch grows into a NZ International Business Awards supreme winner

14 October 2010 A well-thought out approach to international markets has helped children's clothing company Pumpkin Patch win the Judges' Supreme Award at the New Zealand International Business Awards.

The listed company has achieved annual sales of close to $400 million, with more than 20 million garments passing through its mail order business and 527 outlets around the globe each year. More than 80 percent of Pumpkin Patch's business is now from international markets. Pumpkin Patch also won awards for the Best Use of Design in International Business and Best Business Operating Internationally (over $50m) at the awards, which were attended last night by more than 500 people in Auckland.

Award judges said Pumpkin Patch understood where the value for its business lay and brought it back to New Zealand. They were impressed by the way it used good design to increase sales and felt it had the culture and processes in place to achieve further international success. Developed by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) in partnership with the private sector, the awards recognise new approaches that businesses are taking to achieve international success. The awards are supported by Strategic Partner ANZ.

Other winners across a range of categories recognising their return to New Zealand's economy and specialist areas of expertise were M-Com, Gallagher Security Management Systems, Simcro, Grasslanz Technology, and GMP Pharmaceuticals.

New Zealand's international business leaders were also acknowledged, with Cantabrians Steve Wilson and John Brakenridge named the emerging and outstanding leader in international business, respectively.

NZTE Chief Executive Peter Chrisp said he was impressed with the calibre of businesses that won awards and the way they were making their mark internationally.

"Pumpkin Patch has faced difficult trading conditions in some markets and reacted quickly with prudent management of its finances. It is a class act and demonstrates that successful international business doesn't come by chance, but by good design."

In the leadership categories the judges looked for individuals who were not just leaders within their own organisations, but who were playing a vital role in helping to shape the future of their industries and communities.

Awards judge and ANZ Managing Director Commercial, Graham Turley said John Brakenridge and Steve Wilson had clear views about how New Zealand business could succeed internationally.

"Both winners have a genuine passion for New Zealand and want to see a strong, healthy economy. John's unwavering vision to transform the merino industry from a commodity to a highly desirable product has produced significant results for merino growers. Steve is a confident leader, whose strategy to invest in marketing and R&D has resulted in a competitive edge in international markets," he said.

TechNZ, the business arm of the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, supports the four special categories that recognise particular areas of focus for international business.

Foundation Chief Executive Murray Bain, who was also an awards judge, said he was impressed by the thorough approaches winners were taking to developing their international business strategies.

"Our exporters are using increasingly innovative approaches to doing business globally. I'm particularly impressed by the ways the winners integrate research and development, design, and intellectual property strategies across their businesses to achieve impressive international results."

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