Excellence in Process Innovation
Architectural Glass Products
Architectural Glass Products (AGP) stood out for its use of data, technology and continuous improvement to drive meaningful process innovation.
The judges were particularly impressed by AGP’s disciplined approach to identifying production bottlenecks, testing solutions and redesigning its Stream 4 glass processing line around measurable gains. Rather than accepting standard equipment layouts, the team challenged supplier assumptions, used detailed operational data to target constraints, and continued refining the process to improve flow, capacity and reliability.
AGP’s entry demonstrated innovation in practice, with a clear business problem, a structured improvement process, cross-functional involvement, thoughtful risk management and measurable production gains. It is a compelling example of a business using process innovation to build a stronger, more responsive manufacturing operation.
Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year
Devin Gibson, Culham Engineering
Devin Gibson is an outstanding apprentice and emerging tradesperson, demonstrating strong technical skill, maturity and dedication to excellence. Currently completing his Level 4 Engineering Fabrication apprenticeship in the Heavy Fabrication strand with Culham Engineering, he has made impressive progress. What stood out most to the judging panel was not only his technical ability, but also the professionalism, leadership potential and resilience he consistently brings to his work.
The judging panel was particularly impressed by Devin’s ability to think critically, take ownership of challenging tasks and consistently deliver quality outcomes right the first time. His supervisors described him as dependable, disciplined and highly engaged in continuous improvement.
Beyond his technical achievements, Devin makes a valuable contribution to his team and workplace. He actively supports health and safety and contributes positively to improvements in workflow and quality.
Devin also shows emerging leadership through mentoring and supporting colleagues, including helping train others on specialised machinery and fabrication techniques. His calm, collaborative approach has earned him the respect of both peers and supervisors.
Devin represents the future of New Zealand manufacturing: technically skilled, quality-focused, safety-conscious and committed to continuous improvement. He is already making a meaningful contribution to his workplace and industry, and the panel has no doubt he will continue to grow into an outstanding tradesperson and future manufacturing leader.
Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year - Tanner Landon, Oasis Engineering
The judging panel also acknowledges Tanner Landon, a close runner-up in this category. Tanner impressed the panel with his technical capability, initiative and commitment to continuous improvement, particularly in CNC machining and production process improvement. He set a high standard and is a credit to himself and Oasis Engineering.
Emerging Manufacturing Leader of the Year
Oliver Hunt, Medsalv
Oliver stood out to the panel for his entrepreneurial mindset, independence, and ability to build and grow a business from the ground up. His willingness to take ownership, make bold decisions and back them has delivered tangible results and reflects strong leadership capability. He brings a clear sense of direction and confidence to his leadership.
The panel also recognised the values Oliver brings to the way he has evolved his business model to create opportunities for others less fortunate than himself.
Overall, Oliver is recognised as a highly capable emerging leader with strong potential to shape and scale businesses.
Manufacturing Leader of the Year
Deanne Holdsworth, PACT Group
The calibre of entrants this year was extremely high, with the finalists recognised for their ability to lead with vision in challenging global environments, respond with determination and adaptability, and act with integrity and resilience. Deanne gave the judges clear examples of leadership and technology lifting team performance, building a positive culture through change, and setting new benchmarks for manufacturing excellence.
The judges were inspired by Deanne’s ability to take a global strategy and execute it across a complex New Zealand operation spanning multiple sites, while maintaining a people-first mindset, contributing to a circular economy, reducing waste, and advancing manufacturing technologies alongside the continual upskilling of staff.
Deanne’s contribution stands as a strong example of the progress being made in New Zealand manufacturing.
Manufacturer of the Year FTE<50
Arotec Diagnostics
Arotec Diagnostics in Lower Hutt/Wellington is one of New Zealand’s hidden champions, making a global impact through advanced manufacturing excellence. Using high-quality, disease-free natural New Zealand raw materials, it produces proteins used worldwide in autoimmune diagnostics and sets high standards for purity and diagnostic precision in international healthcare.
What sets Arotec apart is not only its science, but also its strategic discipline and execution. Through continued investment in process innovation, adoption of lean principles and ongoing staff development, it has built an efficient manufacturing operation that delivers world-leading purity and quality.
Despite its small team, Arotec’s international growth and financial success are remarkable. In recent years, it has doubled revenue and tripled profit margins while continuing to invest in its people and operations. This performance has helped secure a dominant global market share and support ambitious expansion plans. Its culture of innovation, combined with its manufacturing capability, enables rapid development into new market segments and helps keep it at the forefront of its field.
Through clear strategy, disciplined execution, and a commitment to excellence, Arotec Diagnostics exemplifies the power of New Zealand manufacturing on the world stage.
Manufacturer of the Year FTE>50
Architectural Glass Products
Architectural Glass Products manufactures high-performance Insulated Glass Units (IGUs) for residential and commercial customers across New Zealand. What stood out to the judging panel was its commitment to manufacturing excellence from day one.
AGP is a relatively young business, founded in 2017. From the beginning, manufacturing efficiency and worker productivity have been central to every decision. This is reflected in the “Continuous Flow” design of its purpose-built facility, which has earned a 5-Star Green Star rating.
The founders and team leaders embraced “Creative Destruction” as they introduced much-needed change to the residential building industry, where delivery and quality issues were creating significant bottlenecks. In just six years, AGP scaled from zero to around 2,800–3,000 Insulated Glass Units (IGUs) per day.
AGP delivers on time, in full and to specification more than 99 percent of the time, operating on a fixed four-day North Island and five-day South Island lead time. It achieves this under a manufacture-to-order model, helping fabricators and builders keep projects moving at a critical stage of construction.
This level of performance is driven by the team and its genuine commitment to continuous improvement. Production is led by process engineers tasked with identifying opportunities to eliminate waste and increase productivity. Teams are split into “On It” and “In It” functions, an approach that most recently delivered a 50 percent increase in productivity.
At around $1,000,000 in annual revenue per FTE, AGP’s labour productivity is 4.5 times higher than its largest competitor. This reflects the efficiencies created through automated production and shows how advanced manufacturing can lift productivity across New Zealand’s manufacturing sector.
PACT Group
The judging panel also commends PACT Group for its outstanding contribution to New Zealand manufacturing and the circular economy.
PACT Group New Zealand manufactures rigid plastic packaging and recycled plastic products for the dairy, grocery, food, health and personal care, household, agricultural and industrial sectors. Its model combines onshore recycling, reprocessing and manufacturing, turning New Zealand plastic waste into high-quality local packaging and products. Pact also operates New Zealand’s only integrated PET recycling and food-grade remanufacturing facility.
As New Zealand’s largest recycler of discarded plastics, PACT continues to invest in technology, design for recyclability and recycled-content innovation, helping build a lower-carbon, more resilient manufacturing system.
PACT addresses a critical national challenge by reducing plastic waste sent offshore and lowering New Zealand’s reliance on imported resin and exposure to market volatility. In doing so, it strengthens sovereign manufacturing capability and production resilience.
PACT works closely with customers to co-create innovative packaging solutions. Its senior leaders also contribute widely through industry bodies, working groups and government engagement, sharing practical expertise on circular economy delivery, manufacturing competitiveness and regulatory design.
