Matt Taylor designed a 4mm Corten Steel brazier for his university paper on digital fabrication and Brent Greer from Metco built it for him. Watch this one-minute clip showing Matt’s engineering project coming to life in our production factory.
Metco Engineering from Lower Hutt took out the Westpac Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce Supreme business award at the Avalon Studios last night (Thursday 7 November).
Metco owners Paul Jessup and Brent Greer were delighted with their success as the company which employs 60 staff continues to innovate and grow.
“We are engineers who have responded to the needs of the customers by developing quality products and components for local and international markets,” says Brent Greer.
Metco also received the award for manufacturing and distribution.
A wide range of organisations were represented in the 11 categories with Unichem Clive’s Pharmacy in Wainuiomata taking two awards for retail and leadership.
Hutt Valley Chamber Chief Executive Mark Futter says the awards reflect the diversity of industry and businesses within the Hutt Valley.
“We are always working to attract new businesses into the valley, but these business awards highlight the need to celebrate the success of business enterprises that are already here and being successful.
“The economic downturn was hard for many who toughed out the tight times and now there is the beginning of an improvement.
“The Westpac Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce business awards acknowledge those businesses that are on the leading edge of that change,” he says.
The gala awards dinner at the Avalon Television Studios attracted more than 400 people with the two Mayors, Wayne Guppy, Upper Hutt, and Ray Wallace, Lower Hutt, saying the awards were a positive statement about the growth of business in their communities.
Hutt Chamber president Helen Down says the chamber had played an important role in supporting emerging businesses and providing training programmes to establish a firm foundation for new enterprises to grow.
The award winners were:
Westpac Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce Excellence Award Categories – Finalists
INNOVATION
NOT FOR PROFIT
MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION
SMALL BUSINESS
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
RETAIL
TRADE SERVICES
HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
Sustainability
Leadership
Best Emerging Business
Supreme Awards
The black tie dinner for the awards looks promising for a variety of Hutt Valley businesses, as an increasing number Hutt Valley Businesses who have entered awards find out who have been named as this year’s finalists in some very competitive categories.
Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO, Mark Futter believes this year’s Westpac Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards have revealed an increasing number of companies who are challenging the status quo for a place in the market. Through the platforms of technology, innovative business models, collaborations and partnerships, these small and medium businesses are adaptable and fast-growing.
“The Awards this year will again showcase the successes in businesses and give us an indication of the great things we can expect from them throughout the Hutt Valley in the near future,” he said.
Over thirty Hutt Valley companies and four individuals have been selected as the finalists for the Westpac Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards 2013. The finalists in twelve categories were announced on 13 September and include businesses across a wide spectrum of industries.
Westpac has been the primary sponsor of the Awards for the last four years that they have been hosted by the Chamber.
“These awards showcase the best of the best in the Hutt Valley business community, which is why Westpac is proud to be a supporter of the awards here and in other areas around the country,” says Rob Hunt, Senior Commercial Manager, Hutt Valley and Wairarapa for Westpac New Zealand.
“This year’s finalists are a reflection of the outstanding local businesses across the Hutt Valley, and we’re looking forward to unveiling the winners later this year at our black tie awards dinner.”
The finalists for the Westpac Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards 2013 are:
‘Innovation’ – sponsored by GNS Science
‘Not For Profit’ – sponsored by Upper Hutt Cosmopolitan Club
‘Manufacturing and Distribution’ – sponsored by Telecom Business Hub Hutt-Kapiti
‘Small Business’ – sponsored by Gibson Sheat
‘Professional Services’ – sponsored by Boulcott Hospital
‘Retail’ – sponsored by Upper Hutt City Council
‘Trade Services’ – sponsored by Crowe Horwath (NZ) Limited
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
‘Sustainability’ – sponsored by Hutt City Council
‘Best Emerging Business’ – sponsored by Grow Wellington Ltd
Kiwi companies that export had a bigger jump in revenue last year than those trading locally. According to a study by global workplace provider Regus, 65 per cent of New Zealand businesses exporting products to overseas markets saw revenues rise during 2012, above the international average of 59 per cent.
However, only 55 per cent of companies operating locally in New Zealand had an increase in revenue. That was still higher than the international average of 47 per cent.
Wellington manufacturer of sheet metal and various components Metco Engineering’s export revenue rose around 20 per cent last year.
Managing director Paul Jessup said the increase in turnover was because of larger volumes of sales.
“It’s a bigger market, exporting, isn’t it?
‘We export, but not directly – our customer’s export, so we’re selling components to them that they’re exporting.
“We’ve seen a big jump with Japan over the last three months particularly with hardware for windows such as stays, and Australia mainly with the building sector and commercial fitouts.”
John Henderson, Asia-Pacific director of Regus, which counts companies such as Google and GlaxoSmithKline among its customers, said it was aware of many obstacles Kiwi businesses faced when setting up an international presence, “such as paperwork and property costs and the difficulties in establishing an image and brand in another country”.
“However, with more exporting companies reporting increases in profits and revenues than those who stay home, we can definitely see the potential for businesses to expand abroad.”
Almost 40 per cent of the New Zealand respondents also said that managing local taxation and regulation issues was one of the biggest challenges to firms beginning to export.
While revenues rose more for exporters, so did profits.
Again, 46 per cent of Kiwi export companies reported a rise in profits, compared with only 42 per cent of locally focused companies.
The most profitable market New Zealand companies identified was one of the closest, with almost two-thirds naming Australia, followed by 46 per cent saying China was one of the most profitable and 44 per cent South-East Asia.
We specialise in providing a complete five-star engineering service package, from the initial client consultation and concept design, through to production, assembly and packaging.
Not sure where to start? Our team of designers and engineers can help. Get in touch with us today.
Metco Wellington
1E Quadrant Drive,
Lower Hutt 5010, NEW ZEALAND
PO Box 31067,
Lower Hutt 5040, NEW ZEALAND
+64 4 567 3222
sales@metco.co.nz
Metco Auckland
65 Upper Queen Street
Eden Terrace
Auckland 1010, NEW ZEALAND
+64 9 217 3000
paul@metco.co.nz