2022 Electra Business & Innovation Award Winners and Finalists
ELECTRA BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2022
Winner: Sustainable Foods Limited
Sponsor: Electra
Judges Comments: The Judges were impressed by Sustainable Foods Limited as an outstanding example of a company with an ambitious, fast-growing strategy. It identified a new business opportunity supplying plant-based protein in local and international markets. Adopting a world first innovation in product development, SFL has shown an admirable strategic approach to leveraging partnerships and external expertise in research, finance, and market development.
Construction and Trades Award
Winner: Techlam
Sponsor: Steel-it Framing Ltd
Judges Comments: The Judges noted Techlam has developed innovative products that can replace energy-intensive building products concrete and steel, adding value to New Zealand’s extensive pine forests. As well as adding value locally, Techlam’s approach is also an improvement on the practice of exporting pinus radiata offshore in its raw state. Techlam is a smart, innovative company that cares about its customers and staff, investing in all aspects of the business to improve the experience and results for everyone.
Finalists: Green Van Solar and Electrical, Techlam
Manufacturing, Production and Processing
Winner: Sustainable Foods Limited
Sponsor: Kapinua
Judges Comments: The Judges note that Sustainable Foods Limited is an outstanding example of a fast-growing company that has identified a new business opportunity in supplying plant-based protein in local and international markets. Reporting a world first innovation in product development, it has shown an admirable strategic approach to leveraging partnerships and external expertise in research, finance, and market development.
Finalists: Dark Horse Coffee Co., Kāpiti Chocolate Factory, Sustainable Foods Limited, Woodys Free Range
Hospitality, Entertainment and Tourism
Winner: Kāpiti Island Nature Tours
Sponsor: Leverage
Judges Comments: The Judges note Kāpiti Island Nature Tours is an iwi provider demonstrating an increasingly purposeful approach to a precious cultural taonga and lived experience. This unique whānau led business delivers a high-quality experience to visitors both international and domestic, enabling it to thrive during the Covid era. Kāpiti Island Nature Tour’s application showed an impressive commitment to fostering staff and the environment.
Finalists: Boss Bagels, Kāpiti Island Nature Tours, Relish Café and Catering, Seriously Pickled
Professional and Business Services, or Technology
Winner: Essence Architectural Design Limited
Sponsor: Graphic Press & Packaging
Judges Comments: The Judges note that Essence Architectural Design has adopted IT solutions and other practices that focus on the detail of options for architecture structure and internal design. Two key staff have ‘Bachelor of Design’ (Interior) degrees so can offer a custom service to create beautiful interiors. Essence Architecture produces bespoke custom designs for each client. It listens and creates concepts, then once approved, focuses on the construction details, assisting with onsite contract administration if required. With increased staff and an improved approach to engagement with clients, Essence has the potential to grow its revenue while doing business in a way that excites staff, clients, and builders alike.
Finalists: Enrich Retirement, Essence Architectural Design, Zebunisso Alimova Mike Pero Mortgages, Pipi Learning Ltd
Not for Profit, Community and Public Services
Winner: The Shed Project Kāpiti
Sponsor: L.T. McGuinness
Judges Comments: The Judges said that The Shed Project Kāpiti is making an invaluable contribution to our community. The Shed Project benefits from a pro-active, positive approach to fundraising for this excellent project.
Finalists: The Shed Project Kāpiti
Retail
Winner: Orba Shoes
Sponsor: Crombie Lockwood
Judges Comments: The Judges note Orba Shoes is an aspirational company determined to replace current shoe wear products with shoes made from sustainable, renewable, and biodegradable raw materials. After some development years, Orba is moving into positive revenue and gross profit. This business started with an audacious goal and in a very short time is well on its way to achieving its dream of a fully sustainable rubber sole that will quickly break down when it’s no longer being worn. After just three months in the market, Orba became a certified B Corporation, is working on their EU/UK launch and will be releasing a range of colours using traditional Balinese plant-based dyeing processes.
Finalists: Orba Shoes, The Brave Pants Company, We Love Local
Consumer Services
Winner: TBI Health
Sponsor: GTB IT Solutions
Judges Comments: The Judges say TBI Health is a progressive and very successful business that has implemented innovative technology solutions. As well as addressing client need, these technologies also enabled it to overcome Covid restrictions. It efficiently and effectively engages with patients with an innovative service-delivery model and has grown its customer base during COVID.
Finalists: Cardiolabs, Pawsitive Behaviours, TBI Health
Small Business Award
Winner: We Love Local
Sponsor: NZME
Judges Comments: The Judges commended We Love Local as a wonderful example of a business that can reflect the best in local values of hard work and initiative while working to achieve a challenging commercial revenue target. It has demonstrated it can achieve commercial returns while also adapting its systems to become increasingly sustainable. It keeps its energy-foot print low and its customer offer high value through using the best local products. The Judges said that it is wonderful to see the progress this business has made in such a short time by virtue of hard work and smart thinking.
New/Emerging Award
Winner: Pipi Learning Ltd
Sponsor: Kāpiti Coast Chamber of Commerce
Judges Comments: The Judges believe in the post COVID era, Pipi Learning has huge potential to deliver in an education and training marketplace hungry for fast intuitive online flexi-learning with New Zealand centric content. It has culturally responsive content designed so learners can see themselves in the content. Pipi’s content includes films with culturally representative actors to engage the learner, as well as interviewing experts or leaders in the field to provide real-world experiences. The new school history curriculum with additional Māori cultural content offers endless opportunity, as does Pipi’s capability to develop great online module- based training is a matter of days.
Innovation Award
Winner: Techlam
Sponsor: Templeton Group
Judges Comments: The Judges say Techlam demonstrates it is possible to develop innovative products and methods keeping a low carbon footprint by using raw materials and initiatives developed here. As well as producing innovative products, Techlam has innovated its sustainability processes supported by a grant from the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment to reduce the amount it sends to the landfill by 25%.
Sustainability Award
Winner: Sustainable Foods Limited
Sponsor: Recreational Services
Judges Comments: The Judges found Sustainable Foods Limited has a holistic approach to adopting environmentally sustainable practices to the benefit of their business operations and their bottom line. The company is committed to developing a sustainability framework based on the 3 Rs, reduce, reuse, and recycle, and energy efficiency, while manufacturing products that will have a place in a low carbon economy.
Kāpiti Top Shop
Winners: Relish Cafe - Waikanae
Sponsor: Vodafone
Finalists: Jojo’s Café, Kāpiti Food Fair, Orinoco Designs, Relish Café
Horowhenua Top Shop
Winner: Unichem Levin
Sponsor: Vodafone
Finalists: Levin Glassworks T/A Levin Novas, Streetwise Pets, Paper Poppy, Unichem Levin
Sponsor of the Electra Business of the Year 2022
Sponsor of - Hall of Fame - Kapiti
Sponsor of - Hall of Fame - Horowhenua
Sponsor of - Top Shop - Kāpiti & Horowhenua
Sponsor of - Small Business Award
Sponsor of - Professional and Business Services, or Technology
Sponsor of - Manufacturing, Production and Processing
Sponsor of - Innovation Award
Sponsor of - Retail (Includes hair and beauty services)
Sponsor of - Not for Profit, Community and Public Services
Sponsor of - Sustainability Award
Sponsor of - New / Emerging Award
Design Sponsor
AV Sponsor
Accounts Sponsor
Video Sponsor
