Defence Industry's Top Awards for 2007

Defence Industry winners trophy 2007 Category B. Computer Brokers. OH-07-0677-04-tn.jpg.

A lack of major Defence contracts meant no nominations were received for Category A (projects or activities totalling more than NZ$7 million) in this year’s Minister of Defence Award of Excellence to Industry.

In categories B and C nominations ranged across the spectrum of activity from a facilities management contractor’s provision of basic plumbing and lawn mowing, through to very high tech IT companies.

In a strong field of six nominations for category B (projects or activities totalling less than NZ$7 million) Auckland company Computer Brokers took out the award. Computer Brokers are responsible for development, supply and through life support for RNZN computer systems, including those on the new protector fleet. Their work is characterised by a willingness to ‘go the extra mile’ in everything that they do, resulting in innovative design features, an exceptionally high serviceability rate, and rapid response to problems anywhere in the world.

The assessment panel were particularly impressed by the company’s innovation in design, its follow-up service, and its presentation of solutions which enhanced the efficiency and effectiveness of the RNZN.

In Category C (NZ companies acting as sub contractors to overseas prime contractors) a field of only two had Marops Ltd take out the award. Marops were contracted by CarteNav Solutions of Canada to be the in-country agents for installation of some very sophisticated survey and reconnaissance software in the RNZAF’s P-3K aircraft. Considerable skill and much hard work was required for this project. A key feature was the speed of response. Having a northern hemisphere prime contractor meant they were able to achieve a 24-hour turnaround for problems that arose during installation and testing. As a direct result of this work Marops has been contracted to carry out similar work for the RAAF.

The Assessment Panel considered that Marops had made a particular effort to match their project staff to the RNZAF needs and had been proactive throughout the project. Marops has developed a strong relationship with the prime contractor which will provide exceptional service for the RNZAF in the future as the P-3K Orion fleet is upgraded. The prime contractor regards Marops as performing exceptionally well. No doubt that is why the company was chosen to implement the RAAF project.

Other Category B nominations were:

Contherm Scientific Ltd of Petone. Contherm was nominated for its significant achievements in both design and production of storage cabinets for the Army. The company are specialists in controlled storage environments and have produced a variety of containers, often at very short notice, to meet some of the Army’s storage needs on deployment.

Automotive Technik New Zealand (now BAE Systems Land Systems Pinzgauer New Zealand Ltd) from Trentham. This company was responsible for in-country and ongoing support for the NZ Army’s light operational vehicle fleet. Their work was characterised by a willingness to do everything needed to meet the terms of contract and then exceed it. They were proactive in dealing with fleet-wide issues and managing warranty claims.

Transfield Services New Zealand of Ohakea. Transfield is RNZAF Base Ohakea’s facilities management contractor. They produce work of a very high quality, almost always completed ahead of schedule. In particular they exceed the contract’s key performance indicators. Their approach is one of preventive maintenance rather than repair, regardless of the contract requirements. This results in considerable long term savings for the RNZAF.

Teltherm Instruments Ltd of Onehunga. Teltherm’s prime business is the supply and maintenance of specialised instruments. Teltherm frequently contributes to improving the Navy fleet’s state of readiness. Their major area of specialty is older generation instruments. Navy rely heavily on this service - a perfect match for their older vessels.

Safetysystems.biz of Christchurch. This company was called on to assist the RNZAF improve its performance in health and safety management. As with all the awards companies their performance was remarkable for going well beyond the call of duty. They instituted some particularly innovative tools for health and safety management and carried out a training programme. This generated a high level of enthusiasm in the RNZAF for an activity not normally considered very exciting.

In Category C the other contender was:

Specialist Marine Interiors of Whangarei. SMI were contracted by Tenix Shipbuilding to build the interior fit out of the Navy’s new inshore patrol vessels. Some innovative construction methods were employed to enable very efficient and rapid changes as the design developed and some of the practical issues surrounding installation emerged. Their method of dealing with the shortage of skilled labour in the Whangarei area was also highly commended. SMI recruited a number of young people, literally off the street, and sponsored a short course at the local Polytechnic to provide precisely the skills required by the job. This resulted in an increased labour pool and provided a career option for these young people to consider.

What it Takes

Finalists for the 2007 Minister of Defence Award of Excellence to Industry ranged across the spectrum of activity from basic plumbing and lawn mowing by a facilities management contractor, through some sophisticated carpentry, health and safety systems to very high tech IT companies.

The Awards are in three categories:

Category A: Companies involved in projects or activities totalling more than $NZ7 million
Category B: Companies involved in projects or activities totalling less than $NZ7 million
Category C: NZ companies acting as sub contractors to overseas prime contractors.

Nominations are called each year from the Services, interested trade organisations and, in the case of Category C, from prime contractors. This year no nominations were received in Category A, due mainly to the paucity of major contracts this year.

Judging criteria

Nominees will be expected to meet several of the following criteria:

provision of superior equipment or services in response to Defence needs;
innovation in design, or implementation associated with the supply of equipment or services;
excellence on an ongoing basis, especially in the supply of services to Defence;
provision of superior quality products for Defence;
the successful development of wider markets from products developed locally for Defence;
undertaking of technically advanced activities for Defence;
submission of ideas which result in increased efficiency, effectiveness or economy for Defence.