Finalists for AmCham-DHL Express Success & Innovation Awards

For Immediate Distribution.

Finalists Announced for the 2014 AmCham-DHL Express Success & Innovation Awards

AUCKLAND, 7 July, 2014 – The American Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand has today announced the finalists for the 2014 AmCham-DHL Express Success and Innovation Awards, the 15th year of these awards celebrating success and innovation for companies doing business with the USA.

Mike Hearn, Executive Director for AmCham, says 2014 has seen another strong group of entrants, covering diverse range of products and services. These include cars, refrigeration equipment, technologies, cricket bats, water, agricultural equipment, horticultural products, healthcare devices, pharmaceuticals and tourism.

“We continue to see New Zealand companies entering the US market and succeeding there. While trade with the USA continues to run around $9 billion pa, there are more New Zealand companies establishing offices in the USA, particularly in the tech sector.” says Mr Hearn.

Tim Baxter, country manager DHL Express New Zealand further highlights the interest in the US market.
“In a recent exporter survey conducted by DHL Express, it found that the US continues to be the second major export destination behind Australia. Fifty per cent (50%) of exporters shipped goods there in the last 12 months.

“Exporters continue to face challenges such as the strong kiwi dollar, rising fuel costs and increased competition in export markets. However they are continuing to innovate and make in-roads into the lucrative US market. We do everything we can to support exporters with our dedicated team of Certified International Specialists at DHL Express,” says Mr Baxter.

This is the first year of the Eric & Kathy Hertz Award for Citizen Diplomacy which has attracted a diverse range of entries.

The finalists are:

Importer of the Year
- BMW Group New Zealand Ltd
- Patton Ltd

Exporter of the Year to the USA $1 to $500,000
- Kiwa Digital Ltd
- Laver & Wood Ltd
- Modlar Ltd
- StQry NZ Ltd

Exporter of the Year to the USA $500,001 to $5m
- 1970 Water Ltd
- JUCY Group Ltd
- Movio Ltd
- Pacific Wide NZ Ltd

Exporter of the Year to the USA over $5m
- Compac Sorting Equipment Ltd
- Douglas Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Ltd
- Orion Health Ltd
- Scott Technology Ltd

Each of the above winners receives an receives a return economy Class ticket on Hawaiian Airlines from Auckland to either, Honolulu, Maui, The Big Island, Kauai, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Diego, Seattle, San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, Portland, Phoenix, Sacramento or New York.

Investor of the Year to or from the USA
- EnerNOC, Inc.
- Khosla Ventures, Malaysian Life Sciences Capital Fund, Qiming Ventures (Lanzatech)
- Microsoft New Zealand Ltd
- Scott Technology Ltd
- Valar Ventures & Martix Capital (Xero Ltd)

The Eric & Kathy Hertz Award for Citizen Diplomacy
- Fulbright New Zealand
- Royal New Zealand Ballet
- NZ Bootcamp
- New Zealand Robotics Charitable Trust/Vex Robotics

One of the above will be chosen as the Supreme winner.
One other award will be presented on the night: The AmCham Supporter of the Year

The awards will be presented at a black tie gala dinner at the Pullman Hotel Auckland on 7th August. For details and tickets seewww.amcham.co.nz

In addition to AmCham, DHL Express and Hawaiian Airlines, the awards are supported by 3M New Zealand, ASB Bank, Baldwins, Fonterra Co-operative, Prescient Marketing & Communications, The Pullman Hotel and media sponsor The Business.

Previous winners of the Supreme Award have included Zespri International, Peace Software, Airways Corporation, HumanWare, Tenon, Orion Health, Zeacom, SMI Group, Fonterra and Pratt & Whitney Air New Zealand Services t/a Christchurch Engine Centre, Buckley Systems, Vista Entertainment and Greenshell New Zealand.

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