Profiles: Finalists in Innovation and Success Awards

Importer of the Year from the USA

Hawkins Watts Ltd (HWL) is a privately owned Penrose-based company that imports and markets specialty food ingredients to different sectors of the New Zealand food industry. It has a preferred supplier agreement with Fonterra for two ingredients. HWL imports ingredients from six US-based companies. By working closely with suppliers and focusing on value, problem solving and new developments to meet New Zealand customer needs it has achieved strong sales growth over the last four years.

Rockwell Automation (NZ) Ltd has operated successfully in New Zealand for over 20 years as the importer, distributor and marketer of US-sourced Allen-Bradley and Rockwell Software factory management products. The plant and process automation software, geared to helping customers reduce costs, conserve resources, improve productivity and reduce delivery time for material goods and services, is used in many sectors, including dairy, forestry, food processing, electric power generation, water and wastewater and meat. The New Zealand sales and support operation is based in Auckland with a network of support offices and an assembly plant in New Plymouth.

SellAgence Ltd is a full service sales and marketing agency, representing the Gillette global brands, including Mach3, Venus, Duracell and Braun Oral-B in New Zealand. Sales and profit forecasts have exceeded expectations with a successful launch of the Gillette Venus for Women which achieved 100 per cent distribution in four weeks, converting 20,000 customers to the Gillette Mach 3 by implementing a razor swap programme, and the creation of a new grocery category – the power assisted toothbrush.


Exporter of the Year to the USA – GOODS

Hayes International manufactures and exports high quality rollforming machinery for the metal building industry from its Rotorua base. Hayes, which exports to 57 countries worldwide, is a recent entrant to the United States market. Over the last three years, sales to the US have grown to around 20 per cent of annual turnover with exponential growth forecast to continue. Hayes International does not build stock machines, but tailors each machine to suit individual customer's requirements.

Lean Meats Ltd is a marketer and distributor of specialist niche lamb food products. Established in 1989 by 100 farmers, the Hastings-based business, has a holistic approach, integrating all aspects of the farm to plate production, processing and marketing chain to maximise returns to suppliers. Lean Meats, through its US subsidiary, Atkins Sheep Ranch, markets chilled lamb cuts to top-of-the-line retail and trade markets. The products are cut in New Zealand to individual customer specifications to reduce costs and increase market value – and returns

Tubepack Limited is a privately owned manufacturer of plastic containers and closures for the beauty and personal care industry. Employing 150 people at two Auckland production plants, Tubepack exports more than 80 per cent of its production to markets in Australia, Southeast Asia, Europe and North America where it has a sales office in Los Angeles. The company, established in 1965 and with an A list of cosmetics and beauty product customers, has developed a reputation for innovation in packaging presentations and manufacturing, customised choice, flexibility in order size and timely responses to market needs and trends.


Exporter of the Year to the USA – SERVICES AND TECHNOLOGY

Airways New Zealand has the vision of being part of a future global air traffic management alliance and to be influential in shaping the future of the industry by leveraging best practice from its New Zealand-based business. Airways New Zealand has formed a 10-year partnership with Lockheed Martin Air Traffic Management (ATM) to market its expertise, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. The United States Federal Aviation Administration has already purchased the Oceanic Control System developed by Airways to manage Pacific air traffic. Recently the partnership also secured the installation contract for SkyLine air traffic control systems in China. Airways has established a Technology Development Centre in Christchurch for Lockheed ATM products worldwide.

Marshal Software Ltd is a technology leader in the rapidly growing market for email content and web security. MailMarshal products, which originated in the spare bedroom of one of the company's five founders in 1994, are now used by over half of New Zealand's top 40 companies. The kiwi-grown suite of software is competing with major global technology companies. Based in Manukau City, Marshal Software exports to Australia, the UK, Europe, South Africa and the United States where the first international office was established in 2001 in Atlanta, Georgia. Marshal products protect almost 1.5 million users internationally in 3,000 separate organisations in 30 countries.

Zeacom Ltd has grown its US sales of its call centre technology from zero in 2000 to around 60 per cent of its total turnover and 25 per cent of its worldwide installed base. Founded in 1995 to market its own range of Computer Telephony Integration Solutions for the small to medium enterprise call centre, Zeacom established itself as the Australasian leader and then expanded to the United States. In 2000 it moved its CEO to Newport Beach, California, to spearhead its drive to carving out a position as the contact centre specialist for its market niche.


Exporter of the Year to the USA – NEW AND EVOLVING

Navman NZ Ltd is an export-focused designer and manufacturer of high technology electronic products for the recreational and commercial markets. The specialised skills and experience it has in marine instrumentation has enabled Navman to diversify into land navigation and fleet tracking systems. Earlier this year, Navman, winner of the 2002 Supreme Exporter Award by Tradenz, bought the GPS and timing module business of Nasdaq listed semiconductor maker, Conexant, which is expected to substantially spearhead further growth. In the last five years, Navman has increased sales tenfold, now employing 220 staff and expanding its Auckland and Australian office based to Christchurch, the UK and USA.

Orion Systems International is helping hospitals worldwide improve efficiency and outcomes with integrated health information software systems that are easy to use and give clinicians access to data online. Orion takes the approach of integrating all "best of breed" legacy systems into one secure, web-based system so hospitals can retain their current investment and institutional knowledge. Orion, with 125 staff members, has more than 1,000 clients and partners in more than 20 countries, and is reporting fast growth in annual turnover. It has opened offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, Baltimore, London and Melbourne with new offices expected to open later this year in Singapore and two other US locations.

Pacific Natural Gut String Company Ltd manufactures natural gut strings from beef intestine as a by-product of the meat industry, for used in sports racquets and musical instruments. In 1997, the Pacific Natural Gut String Company was on the verge of closure, its products failing to meet quality standards and market needs. That situation has been reversed today as the specialist manufacturer devised and implemented revolutionary processing and manufacturing technologies to now hold the number two position in the world for natural gut racquet strings. New Zealand made gut strings are used by top professionals, including Helena Dokic in the quarter-finals of the French Tennis Open.


Investor of the Year from the USA

Creekside LLC
Geovector Corporation
Jack Links NZ Ltd


Contribution to Tourism with USA

P&O Cruises
Horizon Holidays/Tourism Holdings Ltd
Flight Centre