Kudos for fledgling Marton company

A MARTON-based company, still only in start-up mode, was among six New Zealand businesses short-listed for an NZBio award ? "Deal of the Year".
Speirs Nutritionals Ltd, was set up just five months ago to produce Omega 3, a healthy fish-oil supplement, but one without a fishy taste or smell for use in the manufacture of a range of food products.
The development of the company's $2.7 million production plant at Marton is under way and is expected to be in operation in May.
Speirs Nutritionals, a joint venture company involving investment company Speirs Group Ltd, with Massey University's Riddet Centre food research group and Bio-Commerce Centre will produce "micro-encapsulated" Omega 3 using a process pioneered by the two university organisations.
Speirs Nutritionals will operate alongside Speirs Group's other major Marton business that produces a wide range fresh salads for the supermarket and food service sectors.
Brian Ward, chief executive of NZBio (the national biotechnology industry organisation) said Speirs Nutritionals was a great example of a New Zealand company partnering with a university's world-leading science to create a new level of value in an international market.
"Speirs Nutritionals and the Riddet Centre have the potential to be part of a rapidly growing international market for Omega 3 and functional foods," Mr Ward said.
"Functional foods" are those that look and taste like regular food but are enhanced with healthful supplements such as Omega 3.
While the fledgling business missed out on the top NZBio award, Speirs Nutritionals chairman Rodney Wong was none the less pleased about being among the six finalists.
"Our company is still in the start-up phase, so to have this sort of recognition from our external peers is hugely encouraging for us. Even being recognised for an award at this early stage was an honour," he said.