Natural Product Industry 2015 Award Winners Announced

Thursday 19 March 2015

NATURAL PRODUCT INDUSTRY 2015 AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Natural Products NZ this evening announced the winners of its annual industry awards:

Label & Litho Sustainability Award: Absolute Essential

James & Wells Intellectual Property Excellence in Marketing Award:

Winner: Comvita

Highly commended: FlowMotion

DHL Global Marketing Excellence in Export Award: GMP Pharmaceuticals

Natural Products NZ (NPNZ) is a national industry organisation representing this country’s natural products, functional foods, complementary medicines, cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals industries.

Announcing the winners, NPNZ’s Executive Director Alison Quesnel said a recent survey showed the natural products industry contributes around $1.4 billion to New Zealand’s economy and that growth had been reflected in the record number of Awards entries received this year.

“Entrants are expanding into new markets, demonstrating innovation in both product design and marketing strategies. This growth and success was reflected in the quality and quantity of Awards entries received; the sector is certainly in great heart,” she says.

Award winner overviews

JAMES & WELLS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY EXCELLENCE IN MARKETING AWARD: COMVITA

This award recognises a company or employee of the company who has achieved exceptional results from the innovative marketing, advertising or promotion of a service or product achieving significant market growth or market access.

Paengaroa-based Comvita won the award for its work in repositioning the Medihoney range from focusing on first aid, to also including eczema. The marketing campaign proved highly successful in raising consumer and trade awareness of Medihoney as a natural eczema management preparation.

Judges were impressed with Comvita’s superb implementation of a systematic approach to marketing with innovative solutions and its thorough understanding of – and empathy with – customers’ needs.

NZX listed Comvita is an international natural health and beauty products company that is committed to the development of innovative products and backed by ongoing investment in scientific research. It is the world leader in Manuka (leptospermum) honey and fresh-picked olive leaf extract, which are at the core of its product range. Comvita sells into more than 18 countries.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: FLOWMOTION

Nelson-based FlowMotion produces, markets and distributes FlowMotion Organic Lubricant. It is the only organic personal lubricant sold in New Zealand supermarkets, and is also one of only two BioGrow NZ Certified Organic personal lubricant products sold in this country.

Since identifying a gap in the market, it took founder Michele Surcouf less than a year to develop, market and distribute the product, which has rapidly gained a strong and rapidly growing following throughout New Zealand.

Judges commented that FlowMotion totally gets how to market a new product, and had well researched customer insights.

LABEL & LITHO SUSTAINABILITY AWARD: ABSOLUTE ESSENTIAL

This award celebrates the entrant that has either; a) best implemented the principles of sustainability throughout their company, products and people; and / or b) applied considerable changes across several platforms to demonstrate a move toward becoming a sustainable business.

Absolute Essential, which is based at Muriwai (north-west Auckland) has 25 years’ holistic healthcare experience. The company produces fair-trade aromatherapy, pure essential oils, organic natural skin care and natural health products that are sourced from small, organic farms and sustainable wild harvests. Every aspect of the company’s operations – from its people, its product and its interface with the environment – is managed in a sustainable manner.

Award judges were highly impressed with Absolute Essential’s entry, stating it was outstanding and one of the best entries seen to date. They went on to say that it: “Clearly shows every level of the business process is engaged in sustainability good practice.”

DHL GLOBAL MARKETING EXCELLENCE IN EXPORT AWARD: GMP PHARMACEUTICALS

For the company with the most significant export growth and/or who has successfully conquered new market/s in 2014.

GMP Pharmaceuticals Group is a leading privately-owned Australia and New Zealand based manufacturing company specialising in pharmaceuticals, natural health and dairy products. Its East Tamaki, Auckland factory is one of New Zealand’s largest privately owned contract manufacturers and has this country’s only pharmaceutical grade standard milk production facilities.

Last year a combination of regulatory changes and the fallout from Fonterra’s botulism scare saw GMP experience significant challenges when selling into its most lucrative market, China. Despite this, GMP’s sound strategy and excellent practices resulted in a 72.5% increase in international sales revenue in the financial year ended 31 March 2014.

Judges were impressed with the extent to which GMP is achieving excellent export growth, adding value to local ingredients, and selecting export markets through a combination of research, business connections and internal cultural competencies. They noted GMP’s: “Great SWOT analysis and transition into a clear export plan, with objectives, KPIs and measures.”

ENDS

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