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A supreme chat.
10 November 2011

The 2011 Westpac Business Awards are nearly upon us. We managed a quick catch up with Stu Bradbury, General Manager of last year's supreme award winner, WMC Technology, to find out his thoughts on the awards, and what they have meant to his business during the last year:

Can you remind us briefly what your company does?
When we entered the business awards we were WMC Technology Ltd. In November 2010 our business was purchased by Lindsay Corporation (based in USA) so now we run under Lindsay International (ANZ) Pty Ltd. We have retained our trading names of Wheresmycows.com Farm Mapping and Precision Irrigation.

Wheresmycows.com Farm Mapping provides GPS and aerial photography farm mapping solutions at individual farm level. Our primary product is the Do It Yourself GPS farm mapping kit which consists of a Garmin handheld GPS, WMC Map farm mapping software (our software) and an instruction booklet to instruct farmers how to use the kit to create a farm map. We sell these kits throughout NZ as well as export them overseas. We also provide aerial photography on behalf of Terralink International to use for mapping and we have a professional GPS farm mapping service.

Precision Irrigation is the brand we designed and market our Variable Rate Irrigation system under. Basically we build technology to enable a centre-pivot or lateral-move irrigator to apply different depths of irrigation over a farm as defined by a plan created over a PC on a farm map (in WMC Map).

Why did you enter WMC into the awards?
We saw the awards as an opportunity to benchmark our business and identify areas where we could improve. Also, if we were to do well, the publicity would be good.

How long did it take you to complete your award entry and who was involved?
It took about a week of solid work. Sarah Wilson [Client Relations Manager] put the entry together and wrote the majority of the content. All of our staff had some sort of input though.

How did it feel to be year's supreme winner at the Westpac Manawatu Business Awards (WMBA) and how did you celebrate it?
It was quite a humbling experience to think that the judges thought so much of our business. Although we are very proud of what we do and what we have achieved, to us it is just what we do. It was very rewarding to sit back and see an outsider's view of our business and have our work recognised that way.
The awards night was a very long night of celebrations around town and we didn't get to bed until after the birds had started chirping the next day.

You are a young team. Roughly what was the average age in the company when you won the award?
Average age would be about 27. The oldest in the team being 29 and youngest about 20 at the time.

What have been the benefits of entering the WMBA?
We received recognition and congratulations from people all over the country. We do a lot of work in Canterbury and it was surprising to see how many people down there had heard of our winning the awards very soon after the event.
Businesses and people around the Manawatu are often very quick to recognise us as winners of the awards. I think the awards have given us an extra boost in terms of public confidence in our business and what we do.

What has WMC been doing since the awards?
Since the awards we have been growing our customer base through the dealers that we have in NZ and Australia through Lindsay's takeover. We are still running out of Colyton, Manawatu and all manufacturing is currently done here. We are looking to start manufacturing in the USA for the North American market, but retain R&D here in NZ.

What is on the horizon for WMC?
We've got many ideas that we want to work on relating to irrigation. This will result in new products and will keep us busy.

Would you recommend entering the awards? If so, why?
Definitely. The awards evening is an amazing experience that showcases some of Manawatu's finest businesses. The awards are great for networking and give you an important insight to your business that day to day you would not normally see. Winning one (or more) awards is very rewarding and exciting, and gives you an extra boost to keep up the good work.

Dai Henwood Takes the WMBA Quiz
November 2011

Dai Henwood is one half of the double-act who will guide us through the Westpac Manawatu Business Awards this week. We thought we'd try to get to know him better, by asking some deep and probing questions:

Most played song on itunes?
Pumped up Kicks by Foster The People. I recently was able to watch them play on a roof top in Vegas, it was awesome!

Proudest dress up moment?
Halloween when I was 12. I dressed up as the Joker from Batman. Full face paint, the exact suit and all of the props. My Mum put heaps of effort into the suit and I felt like the man. Not often that your mum dresses you up and you feel like the man though.

Did you have a nickname as a kid?
Dai Hard or Lady Dai, I preferred Dai Hard.

Dad's best advice was...
Work hard and you will get results.

Your perfect Sunday?
Hopefully not having too much of a hangover, working in the garden and BBQing with my wife, or hanging out at the beach with good friends.

Inny or outy?
Inny hard out, it is like a cavern.

Favourite pie?
Shepherd's pie with a quality mashed potato top.

What lasts 5 seconds in your fridge?
Cold beer and more cold beer.

If you could gift a trait to Jeremy Corbett what would it be?
My ability to wear coloured trousers.

If you could speak to one type of animal, what would it be?
Turtles. I have a turtle and the way it looks at me is as if it has something to say. I wish I knew what it was.

What three items would you buy at Duty-Free?
Tanqueray 10 gin. Christian Dior Fahrenheit and if my budget allowed an Omega Sea-master watch.

Pause, fast forward or rewind the world?
Pause, it would be crazy walking around a paused world, you could pinch a big mac and no one would know

If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be and what would say to them?
I would want to meet Steve Jobs and say thanks for all the products, also to ask him if I could have some of my money back as I have spent a fortune!

How many Kardashian years have you been married?
3.01

Who annoys you most on 7 Days?
No one, surprisingly we all get along.

What's good about Palmy?
The Regent Theatre and the people. They are always nice, full noise but nice.

Paul Ego Takes the WMBA Quiz.
November 2011

Paul Ego is the other half of the double-act who will guide us through the Westpac Manawatu Business Awards this week. It seemed only fair that we ask him the same questions as his partner in crime:

Most played song on itunes?
At the moment it's 'Summertime' by Tiki. I was introduced to this track by Dai and I've been thrashing it ever since, absolutely love it.

Proudest dress up moment?
I looked amazing as the evil wizard in our school production of Aladdin. Mum made me green fingernails out of an old lime green garden hose.

Did you have a nickname as a kid?
Wood Gnome. I really have no idea why... or why I mentioned it here.

Dad's best advice was...
Don't sit on concrete, you'll get piles. Ironically, my Dad once sat on piles and now he can make his own cement.

Your perfect Sunday?
The one before the Monday for which you have nothing planned.

Inny or outy?
I don't know who these people are. Rugby League players?

Favourite pie?
Yes it is.

What lasts 5 seconds in your fridge?
Cold beer and more cold beer

If you could gift a trait to Jeremy Corbett what would it be?
Blonde hair, he'd look hilarious, like Simon Barnett's Dad.

If you could speak to one type of animal, what would it be?
An Accountant.

If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be and what would say to them?
I would meet Alf the Alien and ask if he ever did get it on with the elder daughter.

How many Kardashian years have you been married?
It would fry my brains to try and work that out. I can tell you though that Kim and I went to the same guy for our boob jobs.

Who annoys you most on 7 Days?
Me. Honestly, some of the stuff that comes out of my mouth...

What's good about Palmy?
That we are coming.

Tickets On Sale Now!
22 August 2011

Tickets for the 2011 Westpac Manawatu Business Awards dinner are on sale now, but if you want to be there, be quick.

For entrants, it's the finish line. For supporters, it's a party. For Manawatu, it's the business event of the year!

Make sure you're at the Awapuni Silks Lounge on Friday November 18th with guest speakers Paul Ego and Dai Henwood to enjoy a night of delicious food, entertainment, celebration and networking for just $850 per table of 10 or $95 per ticket.

Email cara@visionmanawatu.org.nz to secure your seat today.

Manawatu launched into the 2011 Westpac Manawatu Business Awards Thursday July 14, as the region's best and brightest business minds gathered at Westpac on Broadway.

Hosted by 2010 Supreme Award Winners, WMC Technology, in conjunction with Westpac, the evening of eats, entertainment and information provided an opportunity for businesses to learn more about the benefits of entering from organisers, judges and past winners.

Organisers were delighted with the response as they handed out application packs, and hope to see enthusiasm translate into nominations, which are now open online.

Elaine Reilly, chief executive of Vision Manawatu, acknowledged that nominating your own business flies in the face of traditional Kiwi modesty, but encouraged business owners to jump at the opportunity to "be a tall poppy".

Stu Bradbury, general manager of WMC Technology, reiterated this idea and the value of entering the awards saying, the company's success has enhanced its business within the Manawatu and nationwide thanks to post-awards publicity.

"Writing it down on paper gave our team a common goal aside from day-to-day work and allowed us to identify areas for improvement", he said.

If there was one message to be taken from the launch event it was to be ambitious.

Entering the awards will take time and it is scary to open your business up to be judged, but it's well worth it to become an award-winning business.

Could your business be a frontrunner in 2011? Nominations are now open and there's never been a better time to find out.

Nominate your business or another outstanding Manawatu business for a 2011 Westpac Manawatu Business Award. It's the first step in a challenging and rewarding journey, but it's a journey that's well worth the effort.

UCOL supports Māori success with new Business Award
15 July 2011

UCOL is sponsoring a new award for Māori Business achievements in this year’s Westpac Manawatu Business Awards.

UCOL’s Director - Māori, Te Atawhai Mataira, says the Māori in Business Award confirms UCOL’s commitment to celebrating Māori success in the Manawatu region.

“It covers all areas of Māori business success, whether it is hospitality, design, engineering, computer technology, beauty, sport and exercise, or any other areas”, he says. 

Read more here.

Manawatu breeds great business and great business makes great cents. Join us in recognising and applauding business excellence at the 2011 Westpac Manawatu Business Awards.

With new categories, new sponsors and new dates we're building upon last year's success and we want to see you there.

Nominations open Thursday July 14th with a fantastic launch evening hosted by 2010 Supreme Award winners WMC Technology and naming sponsors Westpac.

Application workshops will be held at Vision Manawatu Thursday August 25th and Friday August 26th and the main event will take place at the Awapuni Silks Lounge Friday November 18th.

Around 400 people attended last year's event and organisers anticipate a similar turnout in 2011.

Past entrants and winners agree entering the Westpac Manawatu Business Awards is an in-depth but rewarding process.

It offers a valuable opportunity to review business practices and gain objective feedback from an expert judging panel.

Enter your business in the Westpac Manawatu Business Awards and celebrate your success or get in touch with organisers for more about sponsorship opportunities today.

Businesses honoured
27 November 2010

It was a night of glitz and glam, but last Friday's 2010 Westpac Manawatu Business Awards evening was also a night to celebrate business excellence.

The awards were presented at a black- tie function at the Awapuni Event Centre in what has become an annual event hosted by the regional economic development agency, Vision Manawatu.

The awards celebrate and honour Manawatu businesses that have demonstrated excellence in key areas. They also celebrate the positive contribution that local businesses have made towards the economic development and growth of the Manawatu region.

Vision Manawatu business development director Christine Jones says 400 people attended the night, which was a great success. "We are proud of the businesses in our community, and we encourage businesses to think about the next Westpac Manawatu Business Awards."

At stake were nine awards in the business categories as well as three individual awards presented by Manawatu Chamber of Commerce.

On the night, the best of the best was WMC Technology - a farming services business that has grown so much in five years that it is now exporting globally. It won the Supreme Award.

The company has two trading divisions: Farm mapping service Wheresmycows.com and Precision Irrigation. WMC Technology also won the Innovation in Manawatu and ACC Workplace Safety Awards.

Photographer Kevin Bills picked up the Micro Business Award for firms with one or two employees, while his employee Sarah Dong took the individual award for best point of contact for customers and clients.

Confectionary store Munchkins won the People Investors Award for firms that develop staff well or employ under- represented groups.

Palmfeild Motors won the Professional Service Award for contributing to the region's service, retail and distribution sectors.

City firm Frogparking, which is trialling solar-powered vehicle sensors, was named the Best Emerging Business. The sensors, which help to catch parking cheats, have attracted global interest.

Insurance company FMG won the Spirit of Manawatu Award.

The Manawatu Standard Lifetime Service Award was won by Peter and Gerard Gillespie, of EziBuy.

Other individual award winners were best manager Colin Farrington, of wind farm company Vestas, and best longstanding staff member Julie Barnes, of Centrepoint Theatre.

For more information or to discuss ways in which Vision Manawatu can assist businesses, contact business development manager Christine Jones on 06 350 1828.