Pumpkin Patch in awards triumph

Pumpkin Patch chief executive officer Maurice Prendergast. Photo / Richard Robinson

Children's clothing retailer Pumpkin Patch took the top prize at the New Zealand International Business Awards in Auckland last night.

Pumpkin Patch beat 24 companies, including Mount Riley Wines, Altitude Aerospace Interiors and Douglas Pharmaceuticals for the Supreme Award. Judges said they were impressed by the way the retailer had used good design to increase sales.

The awards, developed by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) with the private sector, recognise fresh approaches businesses are taking to achieve international success.

Pumpkin Patch closed a large number of its stores in the recession-hit United States last year.

But the company is opening new stores in New Zealand and Australia this year, as well as developing markets in the Middle East, China, Malaysia and India.

The company achieved revenue of $382 million in the year to July. Its net profit of $25.5 million was up 75.6 per cent on the previous year.

"Pumpkin Patch has faced difficult trading conditions in some markets and reacted quickly with prudent management of its finances," said NZTE chief executive Peter Chrisp.

"It is a class act and demonstrates that successful international business doesn't come by chance, but by good design."

Other winners at last night's awards were mobile banking firm M-Com, Gallagher Security Management, Simcro, Grasslanz Technology and GMP Pharmaceuticals.

For leadership, John Brakenridge, chief executive of the New Zealand Merino Company, won Outstanding International Business Leader of the Year. Steve Wilson, managing director of Christchurch's Talbot Technologies, was named Emerging Business Leader.

ANZ managing director commercial Graham Turley, an awards judge, said Brakenridge and Wilson had clear views of how New Zealand businesses could succeed on the global stage.

More than 500 guests attended the event at the Langham Hotel, including Trade Minister Tim Groser and Minister of Economic Development Gerry Brownlee.