Excellence and Achievement Awards Winners and Finalists 2013
ELECTRA BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2013
Sponsor: Electra
Winner: Aura RedEye
Judges Comments: “this business has a huge vision based on identifying global market potential with a leading innovative idea, taking the company to its next level of national and international success. This is not easily achieved in today’s market and we should all be proud of having this company in our region.”
BNZ HIGHLY COMMENDED AWARD 2013
Sponsor: BNZ
Winner: HMC Kapiti
Judges Comments: “HMC Kapiti has smart management, good systems and is focused on moving forward with a positive culture and well trained staff. Based on six core values and a strong team spirit this business has come far and has huge potential. We look forward to hearing more about them in the future.”
EXCELLENCE AWARD: Owner Operator
Sponsor: Beach FM
Winner: Webz Development Ltd
Judges Comments: “This is a business to watch as the owner’s very strategic thinking is based on an intelligent combination of vision and product potential.In some respects the business has been a normal – but superior – web development company, yet the ethics and drive of the owner tend to set it apart. In addition, it is in the process of developing a potentially revolutionary system of selling affordable websites that are easier maintained and serviced as businesses expand. In short, Webz has strengths in the areas of project management and information systems that have the potential of becoming quite big.”
Finalists: Bassingers Motor Lodge | Kapiti Mortgages & Insurance | Ohau Playcentre | Webz Development Ltd |
EXCELLENCE AWARD: Small Business
Sponsor: Whitireia NZ
Winner: Paula’s Furniture and Beds
Judges Comments: “This business has grown well and has a lot of further potential based on improving the performance of its team and the way they integrate into the business. The store in Paraparaumu has experienced another year of steady but substantial growth in revenue and profits. Equally the owner is clearly taking the store through a period of change consistent with her own vision and development, also improving the business to the point where it can really perform in the future. We look forward to seeing it entering for any awards in the next few years to benchmark its progress.”
Finalists: Hardy’s Coastlands | Marty’s Panel & Paint Ltd | Paula’s Furniture & Beds | Quarter Acre Cafe & Bistro |
EXCELLENCE AWARD: Medium/Large Business
Sponsor: The Law Connection
Winner: Aura RedEye
Judges Comments: “Solid management practices ranging from strategic thinking through to information systems, workforce engagement and proactive marketing are in place to build this company’s reputation and performance. This company has a huge vision having identified a major global market potential with a seemingly industry leading idea and the development of a scalable and cost-effective profitable product. Speed and agility are two key factors in achieving this and the owners have clearly displayed these characteristics to advance their company internationally.”
Finalists: Aura RedEye | HMC Kapiti |
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Health & Safety
Sponsor: Crombie Lockwood
Winner: Ohau Playcentre
Judges Comments: “A very well run and highly motivated Playcentre with a clear idea about their challenges, how to address these and improve with new ideas, including health and safety. Perhaps the greatest strength of this playcentre is the way the team looks at their values and vision to bring together the systems and information tools to innovate and deliver the outcomes they want and become beneficial to the business. They have particular strengths in all aspects of health and safety with the introduction of new products that are unique and have led to substantially increased results, including improvement in their financial performance.”
Finalists: Cottage Park Motor Lodge | Driving Miss Daisy | Ohau Playcentre |
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Sustainability
Sponsor: BNZ
Winner: Blueberry Art
Judges Comments: “The owners are running a very attractive business around lifestyle choices and a strong commitment to sustainability from their rural land. The business is compatible with the owners’ specific skills while they work very well together. Products have been developed over time as customer demand has been identified to the point now where they have a unique and interesting offering. The business has been showing significantly improved financial results and is trending in the right direction while still retaining a strong dedication to sustainability and products around that principle.”
Finalists: Bluberry Art | Marty’s Panel & Paint Ltd | Zero Emmission Vehicles |
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: New Thinking
Sponsor: Kapiti Observer/Horowhenua Mail
Winner: Marty’s Panel and Paint
Judges Comments: “In challenging economic times this business has displayed superior thinking in its innovation together with the development of new products and markets.The business has made significant steps forward since two years ago and the owner has put into place a number of information systems to improve the business and increase its potential. This has been based on new products that have come online and are relevant to the business based on research by its owner. The base potential for increased business is therefore there and we encourage them to re-enter the Awards in 2-3 years time to benchmark its progress.”
Finalists: Aura RedEye | Marty’s Panel & Paint Ltd | Webz Development Ltd | Zero Emmission Vehicles |
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Emerging Business
Sponsor: Finman Services
Winner: Vee Hair by Design
Judges Comments: “Vee launched with a great ambition and high quality product, achieving good testimonials and a very strong growing client base with huge potential in Kapiti. The owner has been the sole person in the business to date but has now employed a senior hairstylist. The business is well organized and operated, using Kitomba and Xero, with the owner clearly understanding the processes involved and monitoring the results to improve the business. Other systems are also well in place with the overall success to date being very good and being a testament to the caliber of the person.”
Finalists: Bassingers Motor Lodge | Mega Cafe Kapiti | Vee Hair by Design |
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Most Promising Clean Tech Business
Sponsor: Clean Technology Trust
Winner: Silaca Glass Crushers
Judges Comments: “Silaca impressed the judges with their enthusiasm and vision, showing that world-leading technology can be technically and commercially developed here in Otaki. This company has taken Kiwi ingenuity to a new commercial level adding value to one of our main waste streams – glass – and producing recycled glass into a range of crushed and graded products for a variety of uses. Not only is Silaca diverting this waste stream into environmentally friendly products, it has also established an export market for their machinery and will expand their processing of glass waste to the whole Kapiti region and beyond.”
Finalists: Silaca Glass Crushers | Zero Emmission Vehicles |
