The people and businesses driving innovation, growth and resilience across New Zealand have been recognised at the second annual Minister for Manufacturing Awards.
Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing Cameron Brewer said this year’s finalists have set the bar for excellence in modern New Zealand manufacturing.
Innovation and strong execution are critical to staying competitive in a challenging global environment, and manufacturing remains vital to New Zealand’s future prosperity.
“Manufacturing contributes around NZD 22 billion a year to our economy and makes up roughly 60 percent of our goods exports. Beyond the numbers, it anchors our regions, strengthens supply chains, and turns ideas into globally competitive products, making a big impact," said Brewer.
“The awards recognise what excellence looks like in practice: businesses investing in their people, improving processes, and adopting new technologies to lift productivity and performance. That’s what keeps the sector moving forward, even as cost pressures and global uncertainty persist."
Since taking on his portfolio in early April, Brewer has visited many businesses and will continue to engage directly on the factory floor and with the Manufacturing Productivity Advisory Group (MPAG) in the coming months.
“This Government is committed to backing manufacturing by getting the basics right, supporting investment, skills, innovation and trade, so businesses can build their future and grow, compete and succeed,” he said.
2026 Winners:
- Excellence in Process Innovation: Supported by Swell
- Architectural Glass Products was created to solve a growing market need for dependable, high-quality double-glazed glass supply in New Zealand.
- Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year: Supported by Enztec
- Devin Gibson – Culham Engineering has shown himself to be an outstanding apprentice and emerging tradesperson, demonstrating impressive technical skill, maturity, and a strong dedication to excellence.
- Emerging Manufacturing Leader of the Year
- Oliver Hunt, founder of Medsalv, is reshaping healthcare through regulated remanufacturing, reducing waste, lowering costs, and strengthening supply chains.
- Manufacturing Leader of the Year: Supported by Lawson Williams Consulting
- Deanne Holdsworth, PACT Group is a manufacturing leader with 20+ years’ experience, translating strategy into safe execution and advancing circular, recyclable packaging across Australasia.
- Manufacturer of the Year (FTE <50): Supported by BNZ
- Arotec Diagnostics produces high-purity autoimmune diagnostic reagents (>90 percent purity) with dependable large-scale supply capabilities.
- Manufacturer of the Year (FTE 50+)
- Architectural Glass Products manufactures high-performance Insulated Glass Units (IGUs) for residential and commercial customers across New Zealand.
- Manufacturing Lifetime and Legacy Award:
- Jeff Douglas (Douglas Pharmaceuticals) was awarded for his 30-year transformation of Douglas Pharmaceuticals.
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