There was a buzz as Manawatu’s business movers and shakers donned dinner suits and glitter last night to celebrate the year’s top business achievers in Palmerston North.

The 2005 Manawatu Business Awards were handed out after three judges looked at the growth, excellence, customer service and business plans of the finalists in five categories.

Palmerston North health centre Westside Clinic, which has grown from five staff to 14 in a year and a half, won the supreme 2005 Manawatu Business Award.

Martin Flavall accepted the award on behalf of director Carol Armitage, who is on a lecture and promotions tour in Fiji.

The business started life as a physiotherapy clinic but has branched out to become a holistic health centre, and has restyled, rebranded premises. “We’ve got a gym, naturopath, nutritionist and massage therapist,” Mr Flavall said.

“It’s constantly changing and it’s a health-care centre where people are looked at holistically.”

Clients range from one year olds to a 94-year-old woman, he said.

Westside Clinic’s website says it believes in hauora – the essence of well-being.

“We do this by balancing all the facets in your life that make you unique and happy. Moving the rocks that restrict the flow of your life and energy.”

Westside Clinic’s mission is to help people flow from patients into clients and become advocates and friends.

“There’ve been some tough times and some busy times at the clinic and it’s just great that there is some sort of reward,” Mr Flavall said.

The four staff at the celebration were ecstatic about their award and expected to enjoy last night’s win at work again today.

The winner of the Manawatu district’s best rural business and supreme award was Manawatu Veterinary Services. It picked up the Bank of New Zealand’s Best Medium Business Award, which is for companies with a turnover of $1 million to $10 million. Travel company TQ3 Navigant Travel Solutions won the Powerco-sponsored Large Business Award, which is for firms with a turnover of more than $10 million.

Centreport Wellington’s Best Manufacturing Award went to Conzept Engineering.

Cowley Refrigeration took out the Best Technology Award, sponsored by Massey university, and the overall winner Westside Clinic picked up the Best Small Business Award, sponsored by Palmerston North City Council, in the category for companies with a turnover of less than $1 million.

The Fitzherbert Lions Club president Atholl Leask announced that money raised from the business awards was to be used for two $3500 tertiary student scholarships.

They were won by Palmerston North Boys’ High School student Louis Booth and Freyberg High School student Richard Johnson. Both will study at Massey university next year. Mr Leask said he hopes two more scholarships will be funded next year.

Palmerston North Mayor Heather Tanguay welcomed the awards and extolled the virtues of living and doing business in Palmerston North.

She said the city was doing its bit to foster business, to make it easy and welcoming for companies to come to the city.

There are plenty of reasons why more businesses should join the 5858 businesses already in Palmerston North, Mrs Tanguay said.

“The city wants to work with business towards this growth. It’s now up to business to join with the city and make a contribution.” para

* Palmerston North businessman and Massey lecturer Simon Barnett’s sports company Tommorrow Today NZ Ltd, Obo Hockey, won the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Best Exporting Business.

Elizabeth Tennett from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise described such exporters as “business heroes”.

Obo Hockey had won an Exporter of the Year Award five years ago but Mr Barnett said he was delighted the company – which manufacturers specialist gear for hockey goal keepers – had won the best exporter’s award last night.

He said the internet has been a boon for putting the Palmerston North business in touch with its clients all round the world.

“They can tell us straight away if there is something great, or slightly wrong with the gear, and we put it right,” Mr Barnett said.

“Your have to be brave to take on the global market. It’s not about me being brave, but a group of us, so it’s nice to be acknowledged that we’ve gone out and taken on the entire world and won.”

Mr Barnett said he is proud of the company’s achievements over the past 10 years. It has 20 staff and manufacturers the hockey goalies’ gear in Palmerston North.

Exports of Obo Hockey equipment go to 60 countries.

[via www.stuff.co.nz]