Brewer's 664pc growth a winner

Pete Gillespie (left) and Jos Ruffell's Garage Project is No 1 on the Fast 50 index. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Wellington craft beer brewer Garage Project has hit the top spot on this year's Deloitte Fast 50 index with growth of 664 per cent for the year.

Brothers Pete and Ian Gillespie and good friend Jos Ruffell started Garage Project after Pete returned home from his OE and the three decided to fulfil their dream of starting a brewery.

As well as being ranked No 1 on the Fast 50 index, the trio also won the national award for fastest growing manufacturer.

The annual Deloitte Fast 50 index ranks companies based on their revenue growth over three years across a range of sectors, with awards for top firms across a range of categories including manufacturing, technology, services and mature business. The index sets a benchmark for high growth companies in New Zealand.

Of the 50 companies, 30 per cent classified themselves as being technology-based, followed by 24 per cent in consumer business.

Deloitte private partner Bill Hale said the diverse mix of companies in this year's Fast 50 index showed any type of business from across New Zealand could do well.

"This is important as it creates job opportunities across more than just the tech industry, and demonstrates that [small and medium] businesses can be successful in their niche with good strategy and good execution."

The 2015 national Rising Star award, sponsored by Deloitte and BNZ, recognises early-stage high potential companies. This year's award went to dairy company Lewis Road Creamery.

Fast 50 - top 5:

1 Brewing company Garage Project with year's growth of 664%

2 Christchurch construction company Farrell Group with growth of 628%

3 Food company Mad Group with growth of 603%

4 Jewellery manufacturer Naveya & Sloane with growth of 552%

5 Tradespeople recruiter Tech 5 Recruitment with growth of 545%.