Small business award winner recognised for its big Impact

30 October 2012

Small business award winner recognised for its big Impact

Queenstown embroidery and screenprinting business Impact is celebrating taking out the Small Business Award at the Westpac Queenstown Chamber of Commerce awards dinner held on Saturday night .

Impact may have won a small business award but they are certainly no small players in the Queenstown marketplace.

Over the past 23 years Impact has established itself as the ‘go to’ company for printing, embroidery of uniforms, merchandise and promotional products for some of Queenstown’s biggest names.

Owners Brigit and Paul van der Kaag said they were honoured by the recognition from the Queenstown Chamber and were delighted to see their hard work recognised, especially in a category which attracted entries from a wide range of businesses and entrepreneurs.

“In 1990 we bought a screen printing business that was struggling to perform, and now we run a successful uniform, screen printing, embroidery and promotional merchandise business which supplies clothing to hospitality, tourism, trade, recreational, the professions, the film industry and schools,” said Mrs van der Kaag.

“I think it’s fair to say we’ve grown over the past 23 years and now offer a one-stop-shop for all these products.

“We also offer a full design service from concept to completion and free consultation, and supply clothing from a wide range of manufacturers.”

The chamber awards were presented in front of a sell-out audience of 300 members of Queenstown’s business community, recognising the best and brightest from the resort town. Award finalists included businesses in the tourism, accommodation and professional services industries as well as new businesses.
“Paul and I were thrilled to receive this award on behalf of our incredibly talented team,” said Mrs van der Kaag.

“It means a lot to be recognised in front of so many of our clients, and many we have formed close relationships with over the years.

“Queenstown is a great place to do business, and we feel very lucky to be here and to have achieved this level of success.”

The company has made a big impact in the Queenstown marketplace over the years through its ability to adapt and change to the specific needs of its customers. Mrs van der Kaag said resilience was in their nature, as well as a lot of hard work.

“After we bought the business, we immediately worked to improve efficiencies by reducing over-staffing, improving communication channels and minimising wastage, then worked on bringing in a much wider range of services,” she said.

Paul and Brigit came from a tourism background before buying the business then known as Impact Screenprints.

Impact is responsible for clothing some of Queenstown’s biggest names in tourism including NZSki, Queenstown Resort College and Skyline Enterprises.

“We know Queenstown is a diverse marketplace and our long relationship with businesses here means we understand their needs well.

“We work hard to keep ahead of the game by offering the latest options and trends, the same as suppliers from bigger cities may be offering.”

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