Winners named in Auckland North business awards

Media release
27 October 2012

Winners named in Auckland North business awards

Takapuna company Recreational Services Ltd won supreme honours at the Westpac Auckland North Business Awards last night, the first organisation in the awards’ history to claim the prestigious title twice.

Recreational Services, which specialises in the management and maintenance of parks, turf and sporting facilities across New Zealand, claimed the Babcock Excellence in Leadership Award before winning the evening’s top prize, the Westpac Supreme Business Excellence Award.

The company first won the supreme award 12 years ago.

Chairman of judges, Matthew Bellingham, who led the independent judging and evaluator panel, says the company stood out as an exceptional organisation.

“We were impressed with the overall management of Recreational Services. Its solid processes, clear direction and exceptional leadership has created a successful business,” says Mr Bellingham.

“Recreational Services is a deserved winner and a truly excellent business”

Established in 1992, Recreational Services is a family business that started with four staff and one contract. It now has 300 staff spread from Cape Reinga to Masterton.

Managing Director Brett Turner sees his staff as the lifeblood of the business.

“It is simply about getting the right people in place who are a passionate about what they do, and then supporting them with a good balance of sound business systems and technology,” says Mr Turner.

“It is critical we get the right fit for all parties. Over the years, we have developed some non-negotiables and we have discovered that it is this shared passion and belief in those non-negotiables that contributes to a happy, healthy and vibrant company.”

More than 450 people attended the 15th annual awards ceremony at North Harbour Stadium to acknowledge the winners of the evening’s nine categories and supreme award.

Run by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), the awards have become the premier event on the local business calendar, and Chief Executive Brett O’Riley believes it deserves its iconic status.

“Congratulations to Recreational Services and all the winners from this year’s awards. They represent the tall Kauri of Auckland businesses, the ventures whose innovation, drive, and all round excellence helps to transform them from a good business into a thriving enterprise. These businesses are capable of competing on the international stage and are helping to create a robust and vibrant Auckland economy,” says Mr O’Riley.

Ian Blair, General Manager Business Banking for Westpac, the awards’ major sponsor, is impressed with the winners.

“As proud supporters of local, regional and national businesses, Westpac is delighted to be associated with a programme that inspires organisations to strive for and celebrate success. Congratulations to the 2012 winners. We’re sure this is a stepping stone to an even brighter future,” says Mr Blair.
This year’s awards attracted 143 entries from a diverse mix of companies stretching from Warkworth to Takapuna.

2012 Westpac Auckland North Business Awards – Winners
Westpac Supreme Business Excellence Award
Winner: Recreational Services Ltd

RSM Prince Excellence in Strategy and Planning Award
Winner: Partners Life

Babcock Excellence in Leadership Award
Winner: Recreational Services Ltd

Mitre 10 Excellence in Customer Engagement Award
Winner: DogHQ Limited

Eclipse Recruitment Excellence in Workforce Development Award
Winner: Naturally Organic Ltd

3M Excellence in Sustainable Success Award
Winner: Singh Corporation Ltd

Flintfox Excellence in Information Management Award
Winner: Turners Panelbeating and Carpainting 2004 Ltd

Massey University Excellence in Innovation and Improvement Award
Winner: Spark Dental Technology Limited

Simpson Western Small Business of the Year Award
Winner: Federation Clothing Ltd

The EcoPro Cleaning Co Best Emerging Business Award
Winner: Partners Life

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