Finalists Found in Search for North Shore’s Top Businesses

What’s the connection between making mouth-watering Mediterranean foods, home nappy deliveries, beauty treatment, IT solutions, house building, delivering flowers, monitoring drains and theatrical performances? These odd bedfellows are just some of the wide range of business activities covered by companies and organisations who have been shortlisted as finalists for the 2006 Westpac Enterprise North Shore Business Excellence Awards.

The finalists in the 12 Awards categories have now been selected after a rigorous judging process, and, according to Convenor of Judges Patricia Schnauer, the ‘Class of 2006’ is a very special group.

She says: “Most of the entries this year have been of a very high standard, especially in view of the increased proportion of businesses entering the innovation and emerging categories.

“This year it has been good to have so many entrants enter on-line and this has assisted the Judges considerably.

“The judges have all been very impressed by the efforts of local businesses to continue to strive for excellence in their various fields and it bodes well for the North Shore economy. There are some great businesses out there and selecting winners is going to be a tough challenge for our team of judges.”

She also praised the work done by economic development agency Enterprise North Shore in encouraging and supporting businesses through the Awards, which demonstrate that the North Shore is a thriving environment to do business.

The finalists cover a broad range of sectors including technology, engineering, education, food, tourism & hospitality, service and health & beauty. Several businesses are finalists in more than one category with 25 businesses sharing the top 34 places for the 12 Awards.

Winners of the 12 category awards and the 2006 Westpac Supreme Business Excellence Award will be announced at a Gala Dinner on Thursday, August 31st at the North Harbour Stadium, Oteha Valley Road, Albany.

Finalists in the 2006 Westpac Enterprise North Shore Business Excellence Awards are:

Massey University Excellence in Technology Award
BCS Group Ltd
High Profile Solutions
Perceptive Insight Ltd

3M Excellence in Innovation Award
Pitango Innovative Cuisine Ltd
Davko Computer Locking Systems Ltd
Netgifts Ltd t/a Nappies Direct

Actionmail Excellence in Marketing Award
Entele Ltd t/a Nose To Tail Dog Wash
JS Hair Studio

North Shore Times Contribution by Business to the Community Award
North Shore CMA
The Elements Med-Spa Beauty

Smales Farm Excellence in Environmental Management Award
Eco Insulation Ltd
Integrated Waste Treatment Systems Ltd
The Toner Recycling Centre

ACC ThinkSafe Workplace Safety Award
The Pump House Theatre & Gallery
Underground Vision Ltd
Age Concern North Shore Inc

The Spencer on Byron Hotel Excellence in Hospitality and Tourism Award
Global Education t/a North Shore International Academy
North Harbour Function Centre
Scoff Catering

Smith & Davies Employer of Choice Award
BCS Group Ltd
Team Build (NZ) Ltd t/a GJ Gardener Homes
Consumer Link

Chelsea Sugar Excellence in Export Award
Pitango Innovative Cuisine Ltd
CleanFlow Systems Ltd
Flying Flowers NZ

Vector Best Emerging Business Award
Pitango Innovative Cuisine Ltd
Molly Jay Ltd
Agility Group Ltd

BDO Spicers Excellence in Service Delivery Award
BCS Group Ltd
Netgifts Ltd t/a Nappies Direct
Agility Group Ltd

Benefitz Best New Start-up Business Award
Perceptive Insight Ltd
The Elements Medi-Spa Beauty
Scoff Catering