NZ-US trade success rewarded

By AINSLEY THOMSON

Companies working in areas as diverse as cycle tours and power tools are in the running for AmCham/United Airlines innovation and success awards.

The awards recognise the achievements of New Zealand companies trading with the US.

The 18 companies in the finals range from family businesses to a multinational company. They are vying for prizes that include travel to the US and market research grants.

One of the finalists is New Zealand Pedaltours, of Auckland, which provides cycle tours of New Zealand, Tasmania, Queensland and Vietnam.

Tour coordinator Helen Crabb said the awards recognised the large amount of business the company does with the US. She said tourists from the US made up 75 per cent of Pedaltours customers.

The awards, which will be presented in Auckland on Thursday, are divided into categories that cover imports, exports and tourism.

From these categories an overall winner will be presented with the Business Herald supreme award.

Finalists in the awards are:

Importer of the year from the US: Black & Decker (NZ); Fresco Systems; V. Luisetti & Co.

Exporter of the year to the US - goods: Click Clack; Compac Sorting Equipment; Rakon.

Exporter of the year to the US - services: New Zealand Pedaltours; Peace Software NZ; Stewart Germann.

Exporter of the year to the US - new and innovation: Formway Furniture; Marshal Software; Pulse Data International.

Investor of the year from the US: New Line Cinema; TelstraSaturn; Pratt & Whitney.

Contribution to tourism with the US: Go International Travel; I. D. Tours NZ; Pan Pacific Travel.