Business Awards: West winner demonstrates innovation

31 October 2014

Business Awards: West winner demonstrates ‘out-of-the-box’ innovation

Last night A-Ward Attachments Limited captured the Supreme Business Excellence Award at the Westpac Auckland Business Awards 2014 – West.

Experts in shipping ideas offshore as customised container solutions, A-Ward Attachments has customers as far afield as Kuwait, Chile and Peru. “No day is the same here and our staff love it,” says chief executive Simon Ward. “We live and breathe minute by minute innovation. It’s a ‘drop tools, flip the egg timer and nail the solution’ approach.

“Our customised handling and shipping solutions allow for more efficient loading and unloading of materials into shipping containers,” explains Simon. He says that one idea came from a matchbox – the tray of matches can slip easily in and out of the outer box – and they’ve applied the same principle to loading containers.

Earlier in the evening, A-Ward Attachments won the Excellence in Innovation, and the Excellence in Exporting awards. “Why do we go to China for solutions when we have some of the smartest people right here? We need to export more of our ideas,” says Simon Ward.

Auckland Chamber of Commerce CEO Michael Barnett congratulates A-Ward Attachments Limited and all the West awards category winners which represent the diversity of Auckland’s economy in size, management style and innovative business strategies.

“The West Auckland region has a real sense of pride and innovation, and this year’s winners show that entrepreneurship is alive and well in this part of Auckland,” says Barnett.

“We look forward to seeing more of what these businesses – particularly the standout businesses identified by our judges – have to offer to the wider Auckland business community in the near future as they innovate, grow and prosper.“

Auckland Council’s economic growth agency – Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) – partners the Chamber to present the Awards.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown says: “We are proud to support the awards and congratulate last night’s winners. It is fantastic to see the growing level of excellence and innovation being shown by companies in the West region.

“Through ATEED, Auckland Council is committed to working with growth companies and our partners to drive economic transformation in the region. Our wide-ranging projects such as the Youth Employment Traction Hub will help to create high-tech jobs and grow the skilled workforce Auckland needs.”

Simon Power, Westpac GM Business Banking, Private Wealth and Insurance says: “A huge congratulations to the Supreme and Business Excellence category winners at the Westpac Auckland Business Awards 2014 – West.

“Westpac is extremely proud to be associated with a programme that recognises the outstanding achievements of businesses across New Zealand, including the West Auckland region.

“We wish the 2014 award winners all the very best for their future business endeavours and, if history is anything to go by, we’re sure they will continue to excel.”

The West Gala Dinner and awards ceremony was a glittering occasion held at The Trusts Arena, Henderson attended by more than 300 guests.

More details about the Westpac Auckland Business Awards 2014 and a full list of finalists can be found at www.aucklandbusinessawards.co.nz.

Westpac Auckland Business Awards 2014 – West winners

Supreme Business Excellence sponsored by Westpac
A-Ward Attachments Limited

Best Emerging Business sponsored by Spark Business Waitakere
Glass Systems

Excellence in Strategy and Planning sponsored by UHY Haines Norton and Corban Revell
Blue Barn Consulting Limited

Excellence in Business Leadership sponsored by Douglas Pharmaceuticals
Lisa Woolley, VisionWest Community Trust

Excellence in Innovation sponsored by Canam Group
A-Ward Attachments Limited

Excellence in Customer Service Delivery sponsored by North Western Toyota
Plumbing World Henderson

Excellence in Exporting sponsored by Babich Wines
A-Ward Attachments Limited

Excellence in Marketing sponsored by Unitec Institute of Technology
Be Nourished

ENDS

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