Annual Awards 2011
Winners Announced for 2011 American Chamber of Commerce DHL Express Success & Innovation AwardsAwards celebrate New Zealand–United States relationship at gala ceremony Auckland, 14 July 2011 – The 12th AmCham DHL Express Success & Innovation Awards, held last night at Auckland’s Pullman Auckland Hotel, with Buckley Systems Ltd, a global leader in the manufacturing of electromagnets, winning the Supreme Award for trade with the United States. Buckley’s business with the US has growing significantly and is expected to grow by 41% in the next two years. The company specialise in the ion implanting market, which manufacturers silicon chips, flat screen TV’s, touch phones, solar; as well as working with companies in the medical devices area. “We’re constantly amazed by what companies are doing with the USA,” said AmCham’s Executive Director Mike Hearn. “The US economy may not be in the best of shape however we see more and more NZ business achieving great results in the US market and opening offices there”. The winner of the Investor of the Year – to or from the USA was Valar Ventures, Peter Thiel’s NZ investment company that has invested in several NZ companies including Xero. The New Zealand Robotics Charitable Trust (Kiwibots) won the Education Partnership with the USA award for their continued success with creating world champions at the Vex World Championships in the USA and for inspiring a passion for science and technology in schools. The Supreme Award is chosen from the winners of each of the categories presented on the night. The complete list of winners follows:
The AmCham DHL Express Success and Innovation Awards celebrate success and innovation in the export, import and investment sectors between New Zealand and its third-largest trading partner, the US. Prizes include NZ$2,500 for air travel to the USA on Qantas Airways for winners of the importer, exporter and education partnership categories. In addition to AmCham, DHL-Express and Qantas, the awards are also supported by AUT University, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Baldwins and Fonterra, a two-time winner of the Supreme Award in 2008 and 2009. Other previous winners of the Supreme Award include Zespri International, Specialist Marine Interiors, Peace Software, Airways Corporation, HumanWare, Tenon, Orion Systems International, Zeacom and Pratt & Whitney Air New Zealand Services t/a Christchurch Engine Centre Click here to view all the photos from the awards evening Finalists Announced for 12th Annual AmCham DHL Express Success & Innovation AwardsTwenty companies are finalists in the 12th annual AmCham DHL Express Success & Innovation Awards, with the winners to be announced at a black tie gala with guest MC Michael Wilson on July 14th at Auckland’s Pullman Hotel. The finalists represent a diverse set of companies proffering a range of goods and services reflecting the depth of business links between New Zealand and the United States. The AmCham DHL Express Success & Innovation Awards, held in conjunction with Qantas, celebrate success and innovation in the import, export and investment sectors between New Zealand and its third largest trading partners the US. Prizes include a travel voucher worth NZ$2,500 for air travel to the US on Qantas Airways for winners of the importer, exporter and education partnership categories. Over the last year US NZ relations have moved to new level with the visit by US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton in November and the signing of the Wellington Accord. Secretary Clinton commented that the relationship is the best is has been for over 25 years and the Wellington Accord is taking the relationship further forward. Business is backing this up with bilateral trade with the USA rising by almost 9 percent in the last year to just under $9 billion annually, despite the difficult economic conditions and the value of the dollar. “The American Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand recently held a networking forum for exporters to the USA to foster more trade links with the US, and we hope the success of these finalists inspires other companies to investigate the market,” said AmCham’s Executive Director Mike Hearn. “We’re constantly looking for opportunities to enhance and expand business and trade relationships within the private and public sectors. The annual Success & Innovation Awards provide an opportunity to showcase companies that have demonstrated imagination, innovation and entrepreneurship, and to honour and celebrate their achievements.” The awards incorporate investment in both directions and divide export earnings into three categories to ensure companies can compete on an equal basis. The 2011 Awards have been narrowed down to 14 finalists across the four major categories. They are: Exporter of the Year to the USA – under NZ$500,000
Exporter of the Year to the USA – NZ$500,001 undefined NZ$5 million
Exporter of the Year to the USA – over NZ$5 million
Importer of the Year from the USA
The Investor of the Year Award is a recognition award.The finalists are: Investor of the Year to or from the USA
The Education Partnership Award recognise the best US-focused entrepreneurial partnership between a business and a primary or secondary school.The finalists are:
In addition to AmCham, DHL Express and Qantas, the awards are supported by Auckland University of Technology, Baldwins, Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited, and New Zealand Trade & Enterprise. Previous winners of the Supreme Award have included Zespri International, Peace Software, Airways Corporation, HumanWare, Tenon, Orion Health, Zeacom, SMI Group, Fonterra and Pratt & Whitney Air New Zealand Services t/a Christchurch Engine Centre. |