Success of Auckland and Waikato Exporters Celebrated

Success of Auckland and Waikato Exporters Celebrated at Awards

Well established Waikato Milking Systems has taken out the supreme award for the 2016 Air New Zealand Cargo ExportNZ Awards for Auckland and Waikato regions.

A New Zealand success story, Waikato Milking Systems was established in 1967 and is an outstanding example of the growth of agritech exporters. Today it is one of the leading designers and manufacturers of dairy systems in the world. In tonight’s awards, it also won the QBE Insurance Exporter of the Year (export revenue $10 million - $25 million) category.

This is the first year the awards have been opened up to Waikato businesses and judges were extremely impressed with the quality of entrants from this region along with the high standard of entrants overall, says Barry Squires, Convenor of Judges.

"Once again, the standard of entrants, finalists and winners is outstanding. The entrants covered a diverse, broad spectrum of industries, from education providers, high tech manufacturers, tourism operators to internet based service companies," he says.

"Judging is always a difficult, but rewarding process, and this year was no exception given the standard of exporting in our region.

"I congratulate all the entrants, especially the winners, and wholeheartedly encourage those who were not successful or didn’t enter, to make an effort to be involved next year. We need to celebrate the success of our exporters, and the awards programme is a great way to do this, given exporting accounts for 29% of our GDP," says Mr Squires.

Seven category winners were announced from 25 finalists this evening at the awards evening held in Auckland. Alongside the Supreme Winner (Waikato Milking Systems) and Sir William Gallagher being named the Simmonds Stewart Exporters Champion (for his exemplary services to export).

ExportNZ Auckland and Waikato are divisions of the Employers and Manufacturers Association.

Air New Zealand Cargo ExportNZ Awards 2016

2016 winners for the Air New Zealand Cargo ExportNZ Awards

1. Westpac Exporter of the Year (export revenue over $25 million) was the Gallagher Group Ltd which are renowned for innovation and marketing of animal management, security, fuel systems and contract managing solutions. [Waikato]

Other finalists were:

-Hobbiton Movie Set Tours [Waikato]

-Leigh Fisheries [Northland]

-Vista Group Ltd [Auckland]

2. QBE Insurance Exporter of the Year (export revenue $10 million - $25 million) was Waikato Milking Systems. A New Zealand success story founded in the Waikato in 1967, the company is today one of the leading designers and manufacturers of dairy systems in the world. [Waikato]

Other finalists were:

-Auckland Institute of Studies [Auckland]

-BBC Technologies [Waikato]

-Bobux International [Auckland]

-James Dunlop Textiles [Auckland]

3. BDO Exporter of the Year (export revenue $1million - $10million) was Rayglass Boats which was established in 1989 and is a leading manufacturer of high quality power boats, with the Rayglass Legend and the Rayglass Protector being its two key prototypes. [Auckland]

Other finalists were:

-API Consumer Brands [Auckland]

-Dulux Powder & Industrial Coatings NZ [Auckland]

4. Endace Services Exporter of the Year (export revenue $1million - $10million) was ICL Education which is a group of education providers offering a range of tertiary business, computing, teaching English as a second language and early childhood education programmes. [Auckland]

Other finalists were:

-Eagle Aviation Consulting Ltd [Auckland]

-Keedup Ltd [Auckland]

5. TNT Emerging Exporter of the Year was Virsae which provides cloud services to allow its clients to manage their technology and communication systems to peak performance levels, so channels remain open and customers can always get an answer. [Auckland]

Other finalists were:

-Triumph & Disaster [Auckland]

-Zealong Tea Estate Ltd [Waikato]

6. Baldwins Intellectual Property Best Use of Commercialisation of Innovation for Export was Methven Ltd which create amazing water experiences every day with their range of beautifully designed showers, tapware and valves. [Auckland]

Other finalists were:

-Adept Medical [Auckland]

-BBC Technologies [Waikato]

-Quantec Ltd [Waikato]

7. Quantium Solutions E-Commerce Exporter of the Year was Triumph & Disaster which is a modern day apothecary and skincare foundry using bespoke aromas and natural blends to deliver a product that’s reminiscent of simpler times. [Auckland]

Other finalists were:

-Metal Heart Ltd [Auckland]

-Natural Ringa Company [Auckland]

Simmond Stewart Exporters Champion - Sir William Gallagher

Sir William has been recognised for his exemplary service to exporters and exporting. This award recognises a person who has gone beyond the call of duty. His reputation as a dynamic leader and an astute businessman in his own company and across the export industry are key reasons he has been bestowed this prestigious award. Judges felt Sir William’s ability to share his experience, networks, leadership skills and wide talents to help others develop their business offshore were crucial to the enhancement of the export sector. As CEO/Chairman of Gallagher, he has taken his father’s electric fence business to international glory. It has grown into three distinct business units including Animal Management, Security and Fuel Systems - and provides innovative solutions to customers in more than 130 countries. He truly is an exporters champion.

ENDS

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