Westpac Auckland Business Awards 2018

Westpac Auckland Business Awards 2018

Baggage logistics business gets a handle on success at the Westpac Auckland Business Awards 2018.

Glidepath has won the Supreme Business Excellence Award at last night’s Westpac Auckland Business Awards 2018 – North West region.

Glidepath design and build baggage/parcel handling systems for airports and logistics businesses around the world, and its founder and chairman Sir Ken Stevens relishes the thought that the business is doing something good for New Zealand and New Zealand companies.

“We’re a substantial exporter and we’re providing good employment opportunities for people, and also tech exports are now in excess of meat exports in this country and that’s a big thing for us too.”

Glidepath also won the Excellence in Innovation category making it eligible for the supreme award.

Other individual category winners included hospitality business The Beer Spot, IT company Unleashed Software, marine industry developer Oceanmax International Ltd, cereal manufacturer Something to Crow About, engineering consultants Blue Barn, early childhood learning centre Summerfield, adventure tourism business Skydive Auckland and alcohol manufacture Puhoi Organic Distillery.

Auckland Business Chamber CEO Michael Barnett congratulates the businesses on the success they have achieved.

“The winners – and all of the entrants – are businesses that are not only brave enough to discover what they are doing well through the process of entering the awards, but also in allowing others to judge them and learn from them. They are to be celebrated.”

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

ATEED Chief Executive, Nick Hill, praises businesses recognised in the awards describing small and medium sized businesses as essential in helping to create ‘quality jobs for all Aucklanders’.

“The North West is experiencing rapid growth; entrepreneurial spirit runs high in the north where Auckland’s highest proportion of small businesses, sole traders and self-employed people reside. The west is home to a highly diverse economy including specialised manufacturing, food and beverage, screen production and healthcare.”

Andrew Thomson, Westpac Area Commercial Manager, Auckland, says the Westpac Business Excellence Awards are about taking time out to recognise the smartest, savviest and strongest businesses in the Auckland community.

“It’s been fantastic to see the high calibre of entries this year. Auckland is the biggest cog in New Zealand’s economy and fundamentally important to our global success.”

Westpac Auckland Business Awards 2018 - Central winners

Best Emerging Business - sponsored by Air New Zealand
Winner: The Beer Spot

Excellence in Customer Service Delivery - sponsored by Barfoot & Thompson
Winner: Unleashed Software

Excellence in Innovation - sponsored by Massey University
Winner: Glidepath

Excellence in International Trade - sponsored by Ports of Auckland
Winner: Oceanmax International Ltd

Excellence in Marketing - sponsored by Benefitz
Winner: Something to Crow About

Excellence in Strategy and Planning - sponsored by Rosebank Business Association & Smith and Partners
Winner: Blue Barn Consulting

Employer of the Year - sponsored by Business North Harbour
Winner: Summerfield Early Learning Centre

Excellence in Community Contribution – sponsored by Westpac
Winner: Skydive Auckland

People’s Choice Award – sponsored by Hype and Dexter
Winner: Puhoi Organic Distillery

Supreme Business Excellence Award - sponsored by Westpac
Winner: Glidepath

For a complete list of finalists and award ceremony details, please visit aucklandbusinessawards.co.nz

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