Champion Canterbury Business Awards winners announced

Wednesday, 21 September 2016

The restoration of the Isaac Theatre Royal has proved a winner for the popular performance venue.

Heritage and technology have taken top honours in this year's Champion Canterbury Business Awards

The Isaac Theatre Royal and ARANZ Medical received The Press supreme awards announced at a gala dinner at the Horncastle Arena on Wednesday evening.

Bruce Davey, CEO of ARANZ Medical, collecting his company's award.

More than 1100 people attended the event, where 15 awards were presented and a special commendation was given to ANZCO chairman Sir Graeme Harrison for his contribution to agribusiness.

The Isaac Theatre Royal won the retail/hospitality small enterprise award, and received The Press champion supreme small enterprise award.

Neil Cox, CEO of Isaac Theatre Royal signals to his table before collecting their retail/hospitality award.

* Two Mackenzie businesses are finalists in Champion Canterbury Business Awards

* Champion Canterbury businesses named top performers**

Champion Canterbury director Leeann Watson said the judges were impressed with the passion and business acumen behind the theatre.

It attracted 100,000 patrons in the 12 months following its reopening and hosts 300 performance days annually.

ARANZ Medical was named medium/large champion producer/manufacturer and also took out the top award for medium/large enterprise.

The company specialises in 3D scanning equipment to assess wounds and custom-fit orthotics and prosthetics.

ARANZ exports to 35 countries and users range from the US Department of Veterans Affairs to researchers in rural Africa studying tropical ulcers.

Watson said ARANZ Medical was a fantastic example of a Canterbury business taking technology and innovation to the world stage. It exported 98 per cent of its products and all research, development and manufacturing was done in Christchurch.

Champion Canterbury chairman Peter Townsend said the 145 entries in the 14th awards showcased the region's incredible talent and presented a real challenge for the expert panel of 35 judges.

He said the special commendation awarded to ANZCO chairman Sir Graeme Harrison recognised his lifetime of commitment to the meat industry and his role in advancing international trade.

'He is a Cantabrian we can all be proud of.'

WINNERS CHAMPION CANTERBURY BUSINESS AWARDS 2016

Supreme small enterprise - Isaac Theatre Royal

Supreme medium/large enterprise - ARANZ Medical Ltd

Champion producer/manufacturer

Small enterprise - Invert Robotics

Medium/large enterprise - ARANZ Medical Ltd

Champion infrastructure/trades

Small enterprise - Red Electrical

Medium/large enterprise - SCIRT

Champion professional service

Small enterprise - Mint Design Ltd

Medium/large enterprise - Computer Concepts Ltd

Champion tourism

Small enterprise - Canterbury Guiding Co

Medium/large - Haka Tours

Champion retail/hospitality

Small enterprise - Isaac Theatre Royal

Medium/large enterprise - EBOS Group

Champion global operator

Small enterprise - Infratec Ltd

Medium/large enterprise - Foot Science international Ltd

Champion charity

Small enterprise - Catapult Employment Services

Medium/large enterprise - YMCA Christchurch

ACC workplace safety

Mach3 Industries Ltd