Waipapa Pine leads awards

Westpac's Rod Parkinson (left) with Westpac Northland Business Excellence Supreme Award winners Grant Arnold, Adrian Broughton and Shane Horan from Waipapa Pine. Photo / Dan McGrath

Northland businesses, large and small, were celebrated once again at this year's Westpac Northland Business Excellence Awards.

The Awards took place at Forum North last Friday with 40 entries submitted across five business categories, seven ancillary categories and an overall supreme winner.

Waipapa Pine was the Supreme 2016 Westpac Northland Business of the Year and was also the winner of the Vodafone Excellence in Business Large Business Award (25-plus, full-time employees).

The judging panel was unanimous in making the Supreme Award to Waipapa Pine.

The scale and complexity of the business and the space in which it operates, the company's holistic approach to its industry and the people in it, plus its industry leadership and genuine respect for the environment, madeWaipapa Pine's entry shine above the rest, the panel said.

Waipapa Pine directors Grant Arnold, Adrian Broughton and Shane Horan where surprised and delighted to receive the Supreme award, after being awarded the Excellence in Business, large business title.

"Entering the awards was a chance for us to take stock of what we have achieved over the years and how this has made a positive impact on the Northland economy and most of all our great team," said Mr Horan.

"Looking at all the great companies that had entered, along with what they had achieved, we thought that it would be a great to make the finalist list in the large business category.

"To win that was amazing. Then to be named supreme winner really left us speechless.

"We are proud of the fact this award is recognition for all of our great team and the awesome support they show the business," Mr Horan said.

In 2012 the business added a significant asset allowing it to control the manufacturing process from log to finished goods.

Skills within the directorship, means the directors have a high level of experience managing all aspects of the manufacturing and marketing processes.

Mr Horan said the directors also identified and worked closely with several forestry interests in the North to align their needs and future planning with Waipapa Pine's processing and marketing capability.

The company set clear goals in terms of the complete process from forest to the end user and systematically worked towards these goals, he said.

"We are proud of the fact we are building a company that is utilising one of Northland's greatest resources, adding value and in doing so insuring this resource is returning real economic value to region."

Mr Horan said what the directors are most proud of is the team at Waipapa Pine.

"We have built a culture within the business based on attitude and a can-do approach, particularly a can-do approach with regards to supplying our customers wants and needs and building our business.

"All of our team members work extremely hard; in the main it is very physical work. We focus on health and safety to insure we keep each other safe.

"We do the little things that create a great culture, small recognition like regular lunch shouts, a hangi, barbecues, fish and chips to say thanks.

Supporting teammates who need support outside work and giving people a second chance.