Top companies step up as finalists

Top companies step up as finalists in 2007 Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards

From an online bookseller called Fishpond, to the fiesta bar offering more than just salsa; the animal managers unleashing their potential, and the race car driver with his foot to the floor of a growing scrap metal business. These, and nearly 30 other finalists in the Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards all have one thing in common: they set very high standards.

The Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards is one of the country’s biggest business excellence awards, and finalists were announced at a special function sponsored by Westpac on the evening of Thursday 19 July. There were 35 finalists in ten categories, and to get this far each has been through a detailed examination by awards judges.

Manukau City Council instigated the awards 15 years ago to recognise, encourage and assist business growth and development.

Mayor Sir Barry Curtis is proud of the city's business community and its achievements. "We have many of the leading companies in New Zealand based here in Manukau and they contribute greatly to the city. They create thousands of jobs a year and help drive our local economy.

"The awards highlight the best of these businesses and I always look forward to the gala presentation evening each year because the buzz is so positive. I congratulate all the 2007 finalists. Getting this far is a great achievement. Even if they do not take out an award on the night, they are all winners."

"The Westpac business team helps thousands of companies and businesses thrive throughout New Zealand. These finalists set a great benchmark for others to aspire to and really raise the bar for the business community,” says Bruce McLachlan, General Manager of Business Banking at Westpac New Zealand. "We're very proud to be associated with these awards as well as these businesses, and we look forward to celebrating their successes."

Finalists in the 2007 Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards are:

Excellence in Customer Services
Catch Restaurant/Guada Fiesta Bar
DSS Animal Management
Grange Lodge
Ray White - Manurewa

EMA Excellence in Manufacturing & Services
IBEX Group
Jakaar Industries Ltd
Metalman New Zealand Ltd

Wiri Licensing Trust Best Emerging Business
International Travel College of New Zealand
Liquid Health Ltd

Excellence in Small Business
Grange Lodge
Ray White - Manurewa
South Pacific Loans Ltd

Excellence in Exporting
Fishpond.co.nz
IBEX Group Ltd
Jakaar Industries Ltd

Cogita Excellence in Innovation & Strategy
Catch Restaurant/Guada Fiesta Bar
DSS Animal Management
Fishpond.co.nz
Works Infrastructure Ltd

Auckland International Airport Excellence in Tourism - Visitor Services
Grange Lodge
International Travel College of New Zealand
Prenzel of Whitford

Brookfield Lawyers Employer of Choice
Catch Restaurant/Guada Fiesta Bar
DSS Animal Management
International Travel College of New Zealand
Ray White - Manurewa
Solomon Group
Works Infrastructure Ltd

ACC Workplace Safety Award
DSS Animal Management
Linfox Logistics (NZ) Ltd
Works Infrastructure Ltd

Manukau Community Foundation Business Contribution to Community
Nominees
Tina Taylor – Digital & Printing Solutions
Evan Wheeler – Rainbow’s End Theme Park
Kimberly-Clark New Zealand
Allan, Diane and Andrew Wallace - Firmount Golf Park

Winners in each category, plus the Westpac Manukau Business of the Year, will be revealed at a gala dinner at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre on Friday 24 August 2007. Tickets are available by contacting Enterprising Manukau on 09 262 2244 or visiting www.bizawards.co.nz.

Sponsors are Manukau City Council, Westpac, Brookfields Lawyers, Wiri Licensing Trust, the Employers & Manufacturers Association, Cogita, Auckland International Airport Limited, ACC and the Manukau Community Foundation.

The Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards are delivered by Enterprising Manukau on behalf of Manukau City Council and have been a firm fixture on Manukau’s business calendar for 15 years.

ENDS

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