The Minister of Defence Award of Excellence to Industry 2010
The Defence Industry Committee of New Zealand sponsors the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence to Industry on an annual basis. Nominations were called from the New Zealand Defence Force and other organisations with an interest in providing equipment and services to Defence.
Thirteen nominations were received for the 2010 Awards.
The awards dinner was held in Wellington at the Duxton Hotel on Wednesday 20 October. Hon Dr Wayne Mapp, Minister of Defence was the guest speaker and he presented the awards.
Category A: Award of Excellence to Industry – Contracts for the supply of equipment or provision of services in excess of $7 million
These awards are for major suppliers of equipment or services to the New Zealand Defence Force or Ministry of Defence and may include major subcontractors or service suppliers.
Category A Winner
Ebert Construction Limited - Nominated by the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Ebert Construction was contracted to construct a new building to accommodate the No 3 Squadron at RNZAF Base Ohakea. From the time that the contract commenced, Ebert staff demonstrated a ready willingness to co-operate with other contractors who have shared the site.
From the outset Ebert was proactive in looking to provide an optimal hanger facility for Defence. Ebert funded its own study which challenged the NZDF's thinking and their proposed design of the building provided a better way to meet Defence's requirements. This had significant savings in cost, time and effort for construction of the main Hangar. Moreover, it also allowed the flexibility to revisit some earlier issues and provide an even more robust solution, of particular note was the ability to allow the main Hangar doors to be widened thus allowing aircraft to more easily enter and leave the Hangar while minimising the risk of Main Rotor Blades being damaged.
Minister of Defence, Hon Wayne Mapp presents Mr Mike Phillips of Ebert Construction Limited the Category A award.
Category B: Award of Excellence to Industry – Contracts for the supply of equipment or provision of services below $7 million
This category recognises subcontracting and supplier companies that provide excellent service in a variety of ways.
Category B Winner
Global Hydraulics & Controls Limited - Nominated by the RNZN for the provision, design, repair and maintenance support to the RNZN ANZAC Class Helicopter Handling Control System and the design and delivery of a robust, future-proofed hydraulic power unit.
Although contracted to originally provide maintenance and repair to the ANZAC Helicopter Handling Control System, Global Hydraulics provided a complete design, build and support package to the RNZN. By lateral thinking Global Hydraulics was able to come up with a superior system to the original installed equipment. Moreover, its innovative approach ensured the system was extensively tested in a purpose designed and built simulator prior to installation on ship, saving a significant amount of time and costs.
Throughout this project Global Hydraulics were committed to providing the RNZN with a true capability as opposed to a piece of equipment.
Minister of Defence, Hon Wayne Mapp presents Mr Gavin Cavanagh of Global Hydraulics & Controls Limited the Category B award.
Category C: Award of Excellence to Industry – New Zealand based Subcontractors to Overseas Prime Contractors
This category recognises New Zealand suppliers who have provided overseas prime contractors with a high level of service and provided the New Zealand Defence Force, through the prime, with exceptional outcomes to the contract.
Category C Winner
McKay Electrical - Nominated by the RNZN, for the provision of the IPV/OPV Electrical Distribution Systems and ongoing In-Service Support to RNZN fleet electrical systems.
Throughout this relationship McKay have continually been proactive in identifying issues and providing excellent solutions prior to the issue becoming a problem. Of note was McKay's work in identifying a design fault with the electrical distribution system on board one of the RNZN ships. They quickly identified a robust solution that enabled the route cause of the issue to be addressed.
McKay provide excellent 24/7 support through its help desk and their initial role as a sub-contractor has developed into a real partnership with the Navy.
Minister of Defence, Hon Wayne Mapp presents Lindsay Faithful of McKay Electrical the Category C award.
Special Recognition Award
W.M. Brown Limited - As part of the 2010 assessment process one particular nominee stood out in respect to long-term outstanding commitment to Defence. Over a 20 year period a small family owned and run firm W. M. Brown Ltd has been providing high quality civil construction works in particular drain laying and site management to the NZDF primarily around Devonport.
Throughout this period the standard of W.M. Brown's work has been nothing short of outstanding. There have not been any instances of incomplete or inferior work nor have there been any occasions where re-work has been required.
Because of their unique understanding of the Base, strong industry reputation and cost competitive service W.M. Brown are often engaged as sub contractors.
W.M. Brown's business model has been focussed towards Defence (80-90% of work is for the NZDF) and have invested in specific plant machinery and training to deliver cost effective solutions specifically for Defence.
Minister of Defence, Hon Wayne Mapp presents Richard Thompson of W.M. Brown the Special Recognition Award.
