Awards finalists reflect diversity of economy

PRESS RELEASE

North Shore Business Excellence
Awards finalists reflect diversity
of city’s thriving economy

Exceptional organisations, epitomised by this year’s finalists in the Westpac Enterprise North Shore Business Excellence Awards, are taking advantage of North Shore City’s booming economy and contributing to the vitality of its business environment.

Finalists in the 12 categories impressed the 10-member independent judging panel with their diverse range of exceptional achievements.
Awards Convener of Judges Gordon Lamont, who is chairman of Canon New Zealand Ltd and was the judging convener for last year’s Awards, says he continues to be impressed by the high overall standard of entrants. Several businesses are finalists in more than one category with 22 businesses sharing the top 34 places for the 12 awards.
“The businesses that entered are all very solid and substantial. It is great to see several that have participated in past years taking part again as well as new entrants who are keen to benefit from the learning experience and the profile the Awards will give them,” said Mr Lamont.
“The businesses that have achieved finalist status reflect the diversity of the North Shore’s economy and their entries and achievements demonstrate that the city’s economy is in robust health.”
This year’s finalists are from a broad spectrum of the North Shore business community ranging from education to retail, manufacturing, information technology and the service sector.

Mr Lamont says the only new category in this year’s Awards, the Local Directories Best New Start-up Business Award, gave the Awards more breadth and proved its worth by being one of the most popular categories.
Several entrants, however, missed out on an opportunity to become finalists in categories other than the one in which they entered, he says. Judges commented to him that they were disappointed businesses did not recognise the potential to have their achievements in several fields recognised by the Awards.
Enterprise North Shore's Chief Executive Terry Hoskins says he continues to be inspired and proud of the businesses that step out of their comfort zone to put themselves on the line.
“Enterprise North Shore is delighted to be able to give the finalists an unprecedented opportunity to build and promote their business and lift their profile,” he says.
“All our entrants make a great contribution to the city, so it’s rewarding to be able to provide something tangible and worthwhile in return.”
Bruce McLachlan, General Manager Business Banking for Westpac, says the Westpac Enterprise North Shore Business Excellence Awards continue to attract and draw attention to well-performing and exceptional businesses.
“The finalists are great examples of having a sound business plan and sticking to it. They give us an opportunity to celebrate and share hard work, innovation and sound business thinking. When quality people get together to conceive and pursue a business goal, extraordinary things can happen.”
Between them, the 22 finalist businesses employ approximately 1453 full-time staff members and 239 part-timers, most of whom live on the North Shore. The finalists have networks of clients and suppliers across the country and, in some cases, throughout the world.
The judging panel assessed 73 entries to determine the finalists in the Awards’ 12 categories. They are now focusing on selecting a winner in each category plus the winner of the ultimate honour, the Westpac Supreme Business Excellence Award.

The winners will be announced at a black tie Gala Dinner at Takapuna's Bruce Mason Centre on Thursday, August 26.

The finalists in the Westpac Enterprise North Shore Business Excellence Awards 2004 are:

3M Excellence in Innovation Award
Creative Business Systems Ltd
Events by Design Ltd
Terrabyte Screenprint Ltd

ACC ThinkSafe Work Safety Award
Events by Design Ltd
Warehouse Stationery Limited

Actionmail & Alliance Construction Excellence in Marketing Award
Brustics Brushwood Fences Ltd
Hillside Building Supplies Ltd
Zeald Ltd

Chelsea Sugar Excellence in Exporting Award
Creative Business Systems Ltd
Powershield Ltd

Clearlite Excellence in Service Delivery Award
Comworth Group
David Storey Motors Ltd
Trade-tech New Zealand Ltd

Massey University Excellence in Technology Award
Kristin School
Orcon Internet Limited
The Network Group Limited

North Shore City Council Excellence in Tourism Award
McLaren Brown Publishing Ltd
The Spencer on Byron Hotel

North Shore Times Community Contribution Award
Albany Real Estate Ltd
Brustics Brushwood Fences Ltd
Warehouse Stationery Limited

Smales Farm Excellence in Environmental Management Award
Lowery Supa Cutters Ltd
Toner Recycling Centre

Local Directories Best New Start-up Business Award
Action Panelbeaters
Petals & Pots
Terrabyte Screenprint Ltd
Zeald Ltd

Vector Best Emerging Business Award
Brustics Brushwood Fences Ltd
Creative Business Systems Ltd
Hillside Building Supplies Ltd
Orcon Internet Limited

Veritas Employer of Choice Award
Dateline Imports Limited
Hillside Building Supplies Ltd
Warehouse Stationery Limited

For more information on the Awards, visit www.enterprisens.org.nz.

July 27, 2004

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