Contenders for Manukau’s Top Business Awards Named

The finalists for this year’s Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards have been announced. The 22 companies and individuals represent the strength and diversity of Manukau business.

“I congratulate all the businesses who entered the awards,” said Gaelle Deighton, Chief Executive of the city’s economic development agency, Enterprising Manukau. Manukau is growing strongly and it is our businesses that are at the heart of that.”

The Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards finalists, ranging from new and small businesses to long established companies employing hundreds of staff, are assessed against criteria including their business processes, leadership, human resources, customer focus and results.

The strength of the entries has made the process of deciding the finalists both enjoyable and difficult for the Awards judges.

“The award entries are of an extremely high quality and provide just a taste of Manukau’s many successful and innovative businesses. Westpac is delighted to be supporting the awards in recognising business success is Manukau,” says Bruce McLachlan, Westpac General Manager for Business Banking.

The entries also reflect growing business activity in Manukau.

“With more than 21,000 businesses, Manukau is of ever-increasing importance for the New Zealand economy,” says Mayor of Manukau Sir Barry Curtis. “We have seen positive increases in our economy, commercial building activity, employment and business investment, and this growth is reflected in the calibre of businesses entering the awards.”

“Building strong businesses is key to the development of our city and our people. The city is expanding from its traditional, and still vital, manufacturing base, and is seeing more retail, hospitality, tourism and service businesses,” says Sir Barry Curtis.

“These awards play an important part in recognising our best of businesses and the leaders who are taking them forward.”

Enterprising Manukau’s Gaelle Deighton says the Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards are going from strength to strength.

“By recognising Manukau’s top businesses, the awards have become a centre piece of the business year. The gala event on September 8 will be a fantastic night, with up to 1000 people attending.”

“I’d like to thank all of our category and supplier sponsors, and particularly Westpac and the Manukau City Council, for their support of Manukau business and these Awards,” says Gaelle Deighton.

Employer of Choice Award Finalists
Presented by Brookfield Lawyers, Navigating Your Success
- Kimberly-Clark New Zealand
- Mete Construction Ltd
- Times Newspapers Ltd
- Works Infrastructure Ltd

Excellence in Exporting Award Finalists
Presented by Express Logistics, comprehensive global logistics for import and export
- Rural Direct Manufacturing Ltd
- IBEX Group

Excellence in Manufacturing Award Finalists
Presented by the Employers’ & Manufacturers Association, our vision, your success
- Styrobeck Plastics Ltd
- IBEX Group
- HMI Technologies Ltd
- Kimberly-Clark New Zealand

Excellence in Innovation and Strategy Award Finalists
Presented by Realize Innovation Limited, services for business growth and early stage equity capital raising
- Styrobeck Plastics Ltd
- IBEX Group
- Times Newspapers Ltd
- HMI Technologies Ltd

Excellence in Customer Services Award Finalists
Presented by Westfield Manukau City, a great selection of retail
- Grange Lodge Motel
- Total Health 2000 Ltd

Excellence in Small Business Award Finalists
Presented by Enterprising Manukau, committed to excellence in small business
- DECA Training
- Grace Painters Limited
- HMI Technologies Ltd

Excellence in Tourism Award Finalists
Presented by Kiwi Discovery Limited, a taste of New Zealand in travel retail stores
- Grange Lodge Motel
- TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre
- Howick Historical Village

Workplace Safety Award
Presented by ACC, recognising excellence in Workplace Safety Practices
- Works Infrastructure Ltd
- Amcor Kiwi Packaging

Business Contribution to the Community Award
Presented by the Manukau Community Foundation, local giving for local needs
- Ken Stevenson
- Fisher and Paykel Appliances Ltd
- Kit Parkinson –South Pacific Loans Ltd
- Uluomatootua Aiona – Cogita
- Rob Loader Motors
- Bucklands Beach Yacht Club
- Reay and Brian Neben – Times Newspapers

The Winners of each category, the Supreme Business of the Year, and new inductees into the Hall of Fame, will be announced at the Awards Gala Dinner, a black tie event on the evening of Friday September 8 at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre.

Book your tickets by visiting www.bizawards.co.nz, or calling Enterprising Manukau on 09 262 2244.

The Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards are sponsored by Brookfields Lawyers, Express International Logistics, the Employers & Manufacturers Association (Northern) Inc, Realize Innovation Limited, Westfield Manukau City, Kiwi Discovery Limited, ACC, the Manukau Community Foundation, Westpac and Manukau City Council.

Supplier sponsors are Villa Maria, Auckland International Airport, Frucor, Cock & Bull, and the Manukau Institute of Technology.

ENDS

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