Stabicraft wins big at the Southland Export Awards

Stabicraft Marine chief executive David Glen at the Invercargill factory.  The company received the Organization Recognition Award at the DHL Export Southland Awards.  (File photo)

Kavinda Herath/Things

Stabicraft Marine chief executive David Glen at the Invercargill factory. The company received the Organization Recognition Award at the DHL Export Southland Awards. (File photo)

Stabicraft Marine was the big winner of the DHL Export Southland Awards, which were held in Invercargill on Friday evening.

The boat manufacturer was awarded the Organization Recognition Award for their contribution to Southland’s economy.

Stabicraft’s has been manufacturing aluminum chambered boats for 35 years and has 13 dealers in New Zealand, Australia, the United States, Canada, New Caledonia and Sweden. The company plans to produce more than 1,500 boats this year and employs more than 160 adventure engineers.

The Individual Recognition Award was received by David McAllister of 360 Logistics for his “unwavering support of exporters through such a difficult time,” said Gareth Lyness, president of Export Southland.

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360 Logistics Group is an independent and private organization specializing in international trade facilitation and the supply chain and logistics sector. McAllister is the branch manager in Invercargill.

Canterbury Masters student Kerry Clapham (left) and Awarua Satelite Ground Station manager Robin McNeill at Invercargill station.  (File photo)

Robyn Edie / Stuff

Canterbury Masters student Kerry Clapham (left) and Awarua Satelite Ground Station manager Robin McNeill at Invercargill station. (File photo)

Space operations NZ was awarded the Innovation in Export recognition award. The company, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Great Southoperates ground stations in Awarua and Lochiel, where it hosts antennas for operators in the small satellite industry.

blueberry country and Garston Hops were awarded the Export Southland Trust Grant, which is awarded to help Southland companies involved in exports strive for a sustainable environment, which supports the employment of a skilled workforce through training, promotion and upskilling, as well as research and development.

General Manager of Blueberry Country Southland, Simon Bardon.  The company has won an Export Southland Trust Grant at the DHL Export Southland Awards.  (File photo)

Kavinda Herath/Things

General Manager of Blueberry Country Southland, Simon Bardon. The company has won an Export Southland Trust Grant at the DHL Export Southland Awards. (File photo)

honey apiaries, organic micro vegetable producer Crunchy, Image Boats and Robbie’s pickles and preserves each received a mentorship at DHL and Mataura Valley Milk.

Travel agent Tony Laker was also honored for receiving the 2022 Graham Dick Memorial Trophy. Laker died in May after being diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer in mid-2020.

Robbies Pickles and Preserves owner Josie Robinson, of Gore, has been mentored at DHL and Mataura Valley Milk.  (File photo)

Robyn Edie / Stuff

Robbies Pickles and Preserves owner Josie Robinson, of Gore, has been mentored at DHL and Mataura Valley Milk. (File photo)

Gareth Lyness, President of Export Southland, said it’s been a rough couple of years for business, including Southland’s exporters, and it’s been great to celebrate the industry that contributes so much to the region’s GDP.

“Congratulations to all award recipients. Good luck also to the two recipients of grant funding from the Export Southland Trust and those receiving mentorship from DHL & Mataura Valley Milk in entering the international stage,” he said.

“The awards are a fantastic evening to recognize Southland’s significant export contribution and encourage new and potential exporters, which aligns with the theme – Taking Southland to the World.”