Business awards finalists pushing into high value markets
Finalists reflect move away from traditional markets.
Tuesday, January 17 2012 || News || BY Claire Rogers, The Dominion Post
The awards, run by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and ANZ Bank, recognise New Zealand's best businesses operating internationally.
Lower Hutt firm Aspeq, which provides exam services to ensure professionals like pilots, aircraft engineers and taxi drivers are qualified to do their jobs, is a finalist in the category for businesses with revenues less than $10 million, and is also in the running to win an award for best use of design in international business.
Trilogy is a finalist for best business with revenue between $10m and $15m, while Ms Gibbs has been short-listed to win the emerging leader award.
Jordan, founder and chairman of venture capital firm Endeavour Capital and number 55 on last year's NBR Rich list, has been nominated for the outstanding leader in international business award.
The winners will be announced on March 21.
Other finalists include Auckland health software firm Orion Health and smartphone component manufacturer Rakon, both in the category for businesses with revenues over $50m.
Firms competing with Aspeq for the under $10m award include Christchurch energy-efficient light bulb company Energy Mad and natural sweetener company BioVittoria, from Hamilton.
Trilogy is up against six firms including gym empire Les Mills and do-it-yourself home yoghurt company EasiYo.
NZTE chief executive Peter Chrisp said the 27 businesses named as finalists were "using our country's world class technology, reputation and skills to develop high-value brands and push out into new markets.
"Sharing their stories helps build understanding of what is required to succeed internationally as well as giving us an opportunity to recognise the contribution they're making to New Zealand."
ANZ spokesman David Green said the finalists reflected New Zealand's progressive move away from traditional markets.
"Historically 80 per cent of our exports went to Europe and the Americas, the majority to Britain. We now have a fast growing market closer to our own shores, with around two-thirds of all exports going to Asia, Australia and the Pacific."
