Finalists selected for first Amcham awards

Companies from Auckland, Ohaupo and Christchurch are among the finalists in the inaugural Amcham Awards for Innovation and Success.

They represent a diverse range of industries, from packaging to law, automotive, food processing, plant breeding and travel.

Winners of the Amcham (American Chamber of Commerce) awards, which are also supported by United Airlines and the Business Herald, will be announced on August 16.

The key categories are in the imports and exports sectors. There is also a Business Herald Supreme Award, which will be presented to the overall winner.

The finalists in the imports and exports categories are: Blueberry Country, Ohaupo; Canterbury Voice Release; Detpak, Albany; Fletcher Challenge Forests (North American Consumer Solutions business unit); Invensys Energy, Christchurch; Multiflora Laboratories, Auckland; Secure Fresh Pacific, Auckland; Sinclair Knight Merz, Auckland; franchising law specialist Stewart Germann, Auckland; and Zespri, Auckland.

Other awards will be for investment and tourism. The finalists for these are Ford Motor Company, Trimble Navigation and Heinz Wattie's in investment; and Gullivers Pacific, ID Tours and Travelplan Holidays for travel.

The awards ceremony and dinner will be held at the Sheraton Auckland. Tickets can be purchased from the American Chamber of Commerce (09 309-9140 or Alison@amcham.co.nz)