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The hunt heads north for business success
The search is on for outstanding businesses on Auckland’s North Shore to follow in the footsteps of LinkPlas, Orcon and High Modulus.
Organisers of the 2006 Westpac Enterprise North Shore Business Excellence Awards are confident of a record number of entries after more than 150 people turned out last night for the official launch at North Harbour Stadium. Each year businesses from all along the shore are recognised for their contributions to the economic development and growth of North Shore City. The awards consist of 12 separate categories presenting a fantastic opportunity to showcase and celebrate businesses excellence, whatever the sector. Supreme winners from the past three years include thriving packaging company LinkPlas, top ISP provider Orcon and marine design company High Modulus. Today’s call for entries is the beginning of a comprehensive selection process culminating in a glittering prize-giving gala dinner on August 31 at North Harbour Stadium.
Enterprise North Shore Chief Executive Terry Hoskins explains: “The Awards have been going from strength-to-strength and are recognised as an important opportunity for businesses on the North Shore not just to showcase their excellence, but also to build team spirit among staff and benchmark their progress.” "It always results in a step-up in networking and sharing ideas among the growing numbers that just want to celebrate the efforts they've put into their business." Westpac General Manager for Business Banking, Bruce McLachlan says that as main sponsor, his bank is delighted with the growing popularity of the North Shore Business Excellence Awards. “We are extremely proud to support the Westpac Enterprise North Shore Business Excellence Awards. In our eight years of involvement with the awards we have been increasingly impressed with the growing quality and quantity of entries. This enthusiasm for the competition shows a real desire to strive for success among North Shore businesses and can only help strengthen the local economy.” said Bruce McLachlan Success certainly propelled 2005 supreme winner, plastics manufacturer LinkPlas into the spotlight and brought numerous benefits, according to Managing Director Steve Morrison. “The whole process gave us a great opportunity to evaluate the business and enhance certain aspects – winning has been an added bonus,” says Mr Morrison, whose company hit the headlines by developing a PET bottle for wine that looks and feels like glass (a great weight saving for airlines). Whilst several previous supreme award winners have been in the field of technology, companies in all sectors are encouraged to enter the Westpac Enterprise North Shore Business Excellence Awards. This year 12 separate categories make it possible for virtually any type of business to enter and become winners. These include: • BDO Spicers Excellence in Service Delivery award • ACC ThinkSafe Workplace Safety Award • Actionmail Excellence in Marketing Award • Chelsea Sugar Excellence in Exporting Award • Massey University Excellence in Technology Award • 3M NZ Excellence in Innovation Award • North Shore Times Contribution by Business to the Community Award • Smales Farm Excellence in Environmental Management Award • Benefitz Best New Start-up Business Award • Vector Best Emerging Business Award • Smith & Davies Employer of Choice Award • The Spencer on Byron Hotel Excellence in Hospitality and Tourism Award Businesses can enter up to three categories and the winners of each category will be eligible for the Westpac Supreme Business Excellence Award. Entry into the 2006 awards is being made as easy as possible to encourage more businesses to take part, says Mr Hoskins, including the free provision of facilitators, who encourage and support entrants. Businesses can enter online and use the newly devised nine-page templates or they can download and print out the entry form and submit hard copies. Entries must be submitted by 5pm on Thursday 15 June and finalists will be announced by Friday 29 July. For further Awards information contact: Gerard Martin Enterprise North Shore (09) 414 1341 gerardm@ens.org.nz |
