2023 Electra Business & Innovation Award Winners and Finalists
ELECTRA BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2023
Winner: Mills Albert Ltd
Sponsor: Electra
Judges Comments: Mills Albert has demonstrated that it is an excellent business through its commitment to success for the business and individual staff. It has an impressive and innovative business strategy that addresses the challenges of finding and retaining key skilled staff and acquiring scarce resources.
Mills Albert’s commitment to its staff and customers sets a very high standard. It has deployed a range of clever measures to create an excellent workplace culture. The approach to projects ensures collaboration, teamwork and high customer satisfaction.
It is an impressive example of planning for and implementing sustainable business practices, including minimising their carbon footprint through reducing direct carbon emissions, such as the use of solar power.
Construction and Trades Award
Winner: Mills Albert Ltd
Sponsor: Steel-it Framing Ltd
Judges Comments: Mills Albert is clearly a well-run company that has done well and will continue to do well.
What particularly stood out is its staff engagement, impacts and benefits and sustainability. An impressive example of innovation and creativity is the acquisition of a dairy farm to supply rocks for its earthworks contracts.
Finalists: Stonewood Homes Horowhenua and Manawatu, Stripped Electrical Ltd
Manufacturing, Production and Processing
Winner: Dark Horse Coffee
Sponsor: Kapinua
Judges Comments: The Judges loved the vision of Dark Horse Coffee boys to take on a premium positioning in the crowded coffee market. Its focus on team (internships), quality, packaging and building relationships has been key in building and reinforcing the Dark Horse brand. This is shown in its strong growth in supermarket sales which are now over 15% of the business, underpinned by results such as growing sales to become the 3rd biggest brand in Kāpiti Pak ‘n Save.
Finalists: art by RIWA, Duncan’s Brewing Co.
Hospitality, Entertainment and Tourism
Winner: Relish Cafe and Catering
Sponsor: Air Chathams
Judges Comments: The Judges commend Relish Café and Catering for its focus on continued staff training and retention, for valuing delegation and respecting staff through the appointment of four Duty Managers and using professional HR support. This is paying dividends, creating an increasingly viable business that can afford to invest. With out-catering, word of mouth works (your sponsorship is appreciated by your local market), and social media to target younger people, all contribute to growing this excellent business.
Finalists: Sunday Cantina
Professional and Business Services, or Technology
Winner: Zebunisso Alimova/ Mike Pero Mortgages
Sponsor: Graphic Press & Packaging
Judges Comments: This is a strong business with a clear ethos, a strategy of investment in marketing, staff expansion and process automation. Its focus on meeting customer's needs and solutions for their problems has led to continued business when house sales, in general, were slow. With clear measurable goals, this has resulted in a very successful and high-performing company.
Finalists: TALK Communications, Whare Kōtare
Not for Profit, Community and Public Services
Winner: The Shed Project Kāpiti
Sponsor: L.T. McGuinness
Judges Comments: The Shed Project is an innovative social services enterprise operating since April 2014. It is designed to serve and unlock the potential to improve the lives of differently-abled people in the Kāpiti community. A key point of difference is that the Shed’s 70% self-funded and through this is an excellent and viable organisation.
Finalists: Hope Hub, Horowhenua District Health Transportation Trust
Retail
Winner: The Greenery
Sponsor: Gallagher
Judges Comments: The Judges congratulate The Greenery on a huge year! Its attention to detail and ability to plan, execute and operate is to be celebrated. Taking a pre-emptive approach when responding to outside events (such as COVID-19) and concern for staff’s wellbeing has ensured a strong position. These initiatives and actions show a determination to be financially independent and successful which provides a sense of stability and a feeling of control.
Finalists: Juli Hunter Eco Friendly Style
Consumer Services
Winner: Dress My Nest
Sponsor: New World Levin
Judges Comments: The Judges enjoyed seeing such a well-run business that is getting great results both in and beyond the local region. Dress My Nest clearly recognises that numbers count and that by focussing on key indices, the business benefits. This is backed up by relationship management and great marketing to its target market/high-value clients. Dress My Nest is impressively innovative with its offer of end-to-end service from concept to completion.
Finalists: Caci Levin, Kāpiti Neuro Therapy, Beauty & the Beach, The Hair Studio Kāpiti, Nation Beauty
Small Business Award
Winner: Dress My Nest
Sponsor: NZME
Judges Comments: Dress My Nest has a strong awareness of its financial performance and how it influences your success. This is backed up by investment in technology to ensure efficient processes and enhance customer experience through PM and CRM systems. Dress My Nest has demonstrated that it understands the importance of building enduring relationships with its customers and supply chain.
New/Emerging Award
Winner: Caci Levin
Sponsor: Kāpiti Coast Chamber of Commerce
Judges Comments: Caci Levin has developed a great therapeutic relationship with its clients which they trust and value. This, when coupled with the CACI brand, the skilled staff and its marketing has been very successful in its first year of operation.
Highly Commended: Beauty & the Beach
Judges Comments: The young owner of Beauty & the Beach has demonstrated business excellence after only just over two years in business. Chelsea’s commitment to her clients is manifested through direct respect of their individual requirements. This is an excellent and holistic approach.
Innovation Award
Winner: art by RIWA
Sponsor: J.B’s Environmental Ltd
Judges Comments: This business is so innovative, it’s hard to decide what to highlight about art by RIWA. Its products from baby beds to caskets are excellent examples of essential goods made from renewable resources designed for effectiveness. The business model of training weavers from throughout the country and then couriering directly to the buyer is an innovative way to scale its activities. This is reflected in growing revenue and profitability with art by RIWA .
Sustainability Award
Winner: Dark Horse Coffee
Sponsor: Wham Bam Events
Judges Comments: Through the creation of a strong and clever brand based on sustainability, “leave less hoofprints”, Dark Horse Coffee has demonstrated its social responsibility and leadership in promoting sustainability among its stakeholders, customers, and community.
Kāpiti Top Shop
Winners: Relish Cafe - Waikanae
Sponsor: One NZ
Finalists: M+M Master Butchers, Orinoco, Waikanae Golf Pro Shop
Horowhenua Top Shop
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
