A family company that in 10 years has quietly become one of the country's leading suppliers of medical products was last night named the Tauranga business of the year.
Mount Maunganui-based Capes Medical Supplies, led by managing director Peter Capes and his parents David and Wynn, started in the garage of
their Otumoetai home in 2000.
Since then, the staff has grown to 13 and Capes Medical has moved into a 1000 square metre warehouse at the Mount, stocking more than 3000 different products, from woundcare to high-quality instruments and equipment.
Capes Medical, entering the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce-organised awards for the first time, sources their products at competitive prices from 100 wholesalers across the country.
The company then sells the items to hospitals and doctors' surgeries around the country, though its main market is Waikato/Bay of Plenty.
It also has an online ordering system.
The whole Capes team rushed to the stage to collect the Westpac Supreme Award at the Baypark Conference Centre last night.
"Dreams of having a successful business do come true," David Capes told the 350 guests.
"We operated the first six years in the family garage, and tonight we accept this prestigious award.
"It's wonderful. We took on a goal of being the best in whatever we do, and everyone has been great ... even our banker Westpac," said Mr Capes.
The excited Capes Medical team walked away with three awards at the gala dinner - the Customer Service and Business Growth prizes, as well as the prestigious Westpac Supreme award.
Just as blown away was former Port of Tauranga chief executive Jon Mayson, who was presented with the Excellence in Business Leadership award to a standing ovation.
An emotional Mr Mayson said "I'm lost for words ... thank you."
Afterwards, he said "I'm always promoting and celebrating business and community achievements. When it becomes personal, that's difficult."
After Mr Mayson stepped down from the top job at the port company five years ago, life became even busier.
He has been the chairman of New Zealand Trade and Enerprise since 2008, and he is presently a director of C3, the biggest cargo handler in the country, natural pet food manufacturer Ziwipeak, kiwifruit harvester Trevelyan Pack and Cool, and property company TKC Holdings which has interests in Matakana Island.
Before that, he was a director of Design Mobel, Thornbury Wines and Port Marlborough, chairman of Export New Zealand, and also did some consulting and business mentoring work.
A wide variety of businesses took out awards last night.
Supacrete Concrete, established by Don Mahoney in 1988 with a second hand ready-mix truck, took out the Workplace Safety, Innovation and Manufacturing/Distribution categories.
The company now has a distinctive fleet of 19 trucks and a certified, automated plant in Maleme St that includes a coloured concrete showroom.
Mr Mahoney teamed up with engineer Bryan Fraser to design and build a state-of-the-art concrete plant, which today is the fastest automated batching plant in the region using componentry and IT systems from overseas.
Law firm Holland Becket, which has operated in Tauranga since 1949, won the Retail and Service category, scented candle maker Candles of New Zealand took out the Community Service award, and Bay Family Homebased Childcare won the Emerging Business Category.
When it comes to promoting your business, Farmer Jones does it well.
The quality butchery has been operating at the Mount for 20 years, and its owner Tony Smith - a first time awards entrant - won the sought-after Brand, Marketing and Design category.
WINNING LINE-UP
The winners in the Westpac Tauranga Business Awards last night were:
Supreme winner: Capes Medical Supplies, Mount Maunganui.
Excellence in Business Leadership: Jon Mayson, chairman of NZ Trade and Enterprise, and company director.
Community Service: Winner, Candles of New Zealand. Finalists, Holland Beckett Lawyers, Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club, Supacrete Concrete.
Workplace Safety Award: Winner, Supacrete Concrete. Finalists, NZCT Aims Games, Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club.
Brand, Marketing and Design: Winner, A M Smith trading as Farmer Jones butchery. Finalists, Kong's (NZ), Bay Family Homebased Childcare.
Innovation: Winner, Supacrete Concrete. Finalist, Candles of New Zealand.
Customer Service Award: Winner, Capes Medical. Finalists, Kong's (NZ), Insulation Plus.
Community Organisation: Winner, Papamoa Surf Lifesaving. Highly recommended, Acorn Foundation.
Retail and Service: Winner, Holland Beckett. Finalists, A M Smith, MTEC Consultants, RWL Group.
Tourism: Winner, NZCT Aims Games.
Emerging Business:Winner, Bay Family Homebased Children. Finalists: Insulation Plus, Accounting Now.
Manufacturing/Distribution: Winner, Supacrete. Finalist, Kong's (NZ).
Business Growth: Winner, Capes Medical. Finalists, Holland Beckett, Healthy Homes BOP (HRV).
A family company that in 10 years has quietly become one of the country's leading suppliers of medical products was last night named the Tauranga business of the year.
Mount Maunganui-based Capes Medical Supplies, led by managing director Peter Capes and his parents David and Wynn, started in the garage of
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