Export honours for Solid Energy

By PAM GRAHAM

Being around a long time and being Government-owned is no handicap when it comes to export glory.

Solid Energy scooped the supreme exporter of the year award at the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Awards in Auckland last night.

The coal exporter won niche manufacturer of the year and beat 21 other finalists to the top award.

Though Solid Energy can trace its history in this country back nearly as far as European settlement, judges said it was an innovative company that had made a remarkable turnaround since the Asian economic crisis devastated its markets in 1999.

The Christchurch-based state-owned enterprise run by Don Elder produced a record 4.09 million tonnes of coal last year, exporting more than half of that to 12 countries, generating a record $180 million in foreign exchange and a net profit of $56 million. The company has plans to double coal output.

The awards, sponsored by DHL Express, showcased a diverse range of New Zealand business talent.

The West Auckland family firm of Jenkin Timber took out the wood processing, building and interiors category for innovative work in making value-added wood products for the United States market.

Manukau-based health supplements exporter The New Image Group took out the agritech, life sciences and biotechnology section.

Reed Publishing won the creative and design category, while Wellington High School won the education export category.

Palliser Estate Wines of Martinborough, a much-awarded company in its own industry, won the food and beverages category.

Pulse Data International won the information and communications technology section and CRMS Consulting, a consultant to pharmaceutical companies, won the services slot.

Category winners can use the fern mark brand and win $5000 of NZ Trade and Enterprise services.