Excellence grows from home

Animal healthcare company Ancare NZ was last night named the supreme winner of the 2001 WestpacTrust Enterprise North Shore Business Excellence Awards.

The company also won the Telecom New Zealand Excellence in Technology Award.

Started 16 years ago by Colin and Mary Harvey from their home in Birkenhead, Ancare has grown to become a leader in the animal health industry, competing against many of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies.

Ancare has achieved consistent yearly growth, with an average sales growth of $2 million each year.

From the beginning, Ancare's goal has been to attain market leadership in the large animal health drench market.

This was achieved for the first time late last year when it overtook Merial, its major competitor, to take the leading position in the market.

Other winners were:

* Creative Abilities & Associates won the AC Blackmore Excellence in Service Delivery Award. The company was set up in 1994 to provide social advocacy for people with different physical needs in the community.

* The Actionmail and Alliance Construction Excellence in Marketing Award was won by Giltrap North Shore. Giltrap Motors is now the largest motor vehicle dealership on the North Shore, with sub-brands of Giltrap Holden, Giltrap Subaru, and Giltrap European, which holds Mercedes Benz and Chrysler/Jeep franchises.

* Friends of the North Shore Women's Refuge won The North Shore Times Advertiser Community Contribution Award. The FNSWR was established as a charitable trust in May 1994 to provide financial support to the North Shore Women's refuge. The North Shore Women's Refuge has been operating since 1985, with 35 dedicated volunteers committed to providing safe accommodation for women and children at a confidential address in the area.

* Jetblast Waterblasting Specialists won the Massey University Best Emerging Business Award. Jetblast specialises in high-pressure waterblasting and low-pressure chemical washing of houses, fences, decks, boats and machinery in both a residential and commercial capacity.

* McCulloch Medical won the Sony New Zealand Excellence in Innovation Award. A life saving encounter with a bloodied roadside victim led McCulloch Medical managing director, Richard McCulloch, to develop a resuscitation device that has won nine international awards, including a gold medal at the 2000 Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva.

* KC Temps won the TMP Worldwide Employer of Choice Award. KC Temps is part of the North Shore's longest established recruitment consultancy service and specialises in providing high-calibre secretarial, clerical and support staff on a temporary or contracting basis.

* The Skill NZ Excellence in Workplace Training and Development Award was won by haulage firm Smith & Davies. Smith & Davies started trading as a general carrier in 1927. The company has grown to become specialists in the areas of bulk materials handling and transport, heavy haulage, civil contracting and forestry.