Yates takes master entrepreneur award

Friday 24th August 2001

By Deborah Hill Cone

Sausages, backpacks, boats - founders of companies that make practical, mainstream products dominate the category winners of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, announced today.

The winners, who were picked from 26 finalists by judges Murray Thom, Diane Foreman, Michael Hill and last year's entrepreneur of the year Bill Day, are:

Master entrepreneur of the year: Philip Yates - Genetic Technologies
The seed business is in the blood of this entrepreneur - he was part of the family business of Yates for 36 years before he set up his own company in the mid-1980s. The innovative approach of Genetic Technologies challenged the dairy establishment's "lowest cost" approach and now contributes significantly to the billions of dollars of extra income earned by the dairy industry.
Retail entrepreneur of the year: Peter Leitch - The Mad Butcher
He overcame undiagnosed dyslexia to set up his own 20-store part-franchised retail butchery chain, based on his own people-friendly strategy. He claims to know each staff member by name and keeps in touch with customers through radio, television and newspapers. "The Mad Butcher" is also known for his support of league and charity work in Manukau.
Service entrepreneur of the year: Brett Wharfe - New Zealand Hothouse
The former tomato grower's $24 million company uses the latest technology for growing top-quality tomatoes, lettuce, capsicum and cucumbers. It has made a series of first-to-market moves through a sophisticated packaging, warehousing, ordering and delivering system.
Technology/communications entrepreneur of the year: Michael Whittaker - Atlantis Group
This direct marketer started his database and loyalty technology company in 1996 (aged 26) to serve the local DM scene - but since then has gone international and today has 89 full- time employees in five countries.
Property entrepreneur of the year: Nigel McKenna - Melview Developments
Researching what the market actually wants has been the key to success for this Auckland developer, who is behind the Maritime Square business development in the Viaduct Basin and the innovative Beaumont Quarter in Ponsonby. He also gives his time free to regional planning initiatives such as the Auckland Growth Forum.
Manufacturing entrepreneur of the year (joint winners): Bruce McIntyre - Macpac)
This Christchurch-based entrepreneur spent two years making and marketing his backpack products single-handedly in the company's early days. Today the company exports 70% of its product to Europe, the UK and Australia and is considering many expansion options.
Tony Hembrow - Rayglass Boats (joint winner)
His first venture was as an 18-year-old using an old truck to deliver supplies to remote mining towns and oil rigs in the Australian outback. Lessons learned there paved the way for his Manukau-based boat export business, which produces New Zealand's top fibreglass trailer boat.
There was also a special commendation in the technology category to:-
Russell Smith - Pulse Data International.
This company is a recognised leader in IT for the severely visually impaired, including BrailleNote, the first note taker for the blind to use with Windows. It employs 12 severely visually impaired/blind people to help to understand their market's needs.

The overall winner will be announced next Thursday at a black-tie dinner in Auckland.

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