Announcing the incredible sponsors who are supporting the Minister for Manufacturing Awards and announcing the new categories for the May 2026 Awards.

 

The countdown is on for the Minister for Manufacturing Awards, taking place in May 2026. These awards shine a spotlight on the people and businesses driving innovation, leadership, and growth in New Zealand’s manufacturing sector. We are proud to welcome the sponsors who make this celebration possible:

 

• Excellence in Manufacturing Leadership
  Supported by: Lawson Williams Consulting Group
• Manufacturer of the Year (FTE <50)
  Supported by: BNZ
• Excellence in Process Innovation
  Supported by: Swell Group
• Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year
  Supported by: Enztec

 

 

Manufacturing is often referred to as New Zealand’s “invisible sector,” despite its critical role in creating jobs, driving exports, and delivering meaningful products. Traditional business awards rarely highlight manufacturing-specific achievements or emerging talent. These awards provide a dedicated platform to celebrate leadership, innovation, and the next generation of skilled professionals.

 

As Enztec shared, “It’s a good chance to recognize a really important sector. We need to be promoting it more and telling positive stories. Positivity breeds positivity—and that’s how we change perceptions.”

 

Our Sponsors’ Commitment

• Lawson Williams Consulting Group supports the Excellence in Manufacturing Leadership Award, recognising individuals who inspire teams and set new standards for success. “By supporting these awards, we want to help build a culture of learning and connection. We want businesses to celebrate their progress, learn from each other, and build networks that make the sector stronger.”
• BNZ champions the Manufacturer of the Year Award, honouring businesses that demonstrate resilience and outstanding performance.
• Swell Group backs the Excellence in Process Innovation Award, celebrating breakthroughs that improve efficiency and competitiveness. New Zealand has manufacturers doing genuinely world-class work, and we should be celebrating that more loudly.
• Enztec, sponsor of the Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year Award, emphasizes the importance of developing future leaders. As their team explained, “I started my career as an apprentice. That foundation led me to lead a business employing over 100 technical people. Supporting apprentices today means building the leaders of tomorrow.”

 

 

The Minister for Manufacturing Awards are expanding the categories due to the high calibre of entries and identifying how others can and should be recognised for 2026.

1. Manufacturer of the Year (FTE 50+) REDEFINED - welcome any business that may wish to sponsor
2. Manufacturer of the Year (FTE under 50) – supported by BNZ NEW
3. Excellence in Manufacturing Leadership supported by Lawson William Consulting Group
4. Emerging Manufacturing Leader of the Year NEW
5. Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year supported by Enztec
6. Excellence in Process Innovation supported by Swell
7. Manufacturing Lifetime & Legacy Award NEW

We welcome all our members to make nominations for the lifetime and legacy awards.  We will have a judge convenor and a selection of judges to make this decision to honour individuals worthy of such recognition.  Criteria will be finalised early next year and but if you wish to make an early nomination or if your business is interested in sponsoring an award, please contact Catherine Lye, catherine@amanz.nz for more information.

 

A thriving manufacturing sector means rewarding careers, scalable businesses, and strong export growth for New Zealand. These awards are more than recognition—they’re a call to share success stories, build your employment brand, attract top talent and inspire the next generation.

 

We thank our sponsors for their dedication to advancing manufacturing and look forward to celebrating excellence together with as many members as possible in May 2026.