The Industry Awards Gala Dinner was the highlight of this year's Metals New Zealand Industry Conference, thanks in part to the vivacious Jackie Clark. The winners of this years Metals NZ Awards were announced at the Gala Dinner held in Tauranga on May 9. More than 130 members of the various associations belonging to Metals NZ attended the dinner, held at Classic Flyers Aircraft Museum.

The awards are made biannually, and this year included the three HERA-administered honours Keith Smith Award for Distinguished Service , Metals NZ Exporter of the Year and Metals NZ Innovation Award. Also presented were the SCNZ-administered Excellence in Steel Construction Awards.

Keith Smith Award for Distinguished Service
The prestigious Keith Smith Award for Distinguished Service went to the director, chairman and part-owner of Hydraulink Fluidconnectors, Mr Noel Davies. Noel's citation listed as some of his many achievements:

- NZ Heavy Engineering & Research Association Executive since 1992 and Chairman from 2004 2006
- Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2003 (Manufacturing & Distribution Category)
- Trustee of the Heavy Engineering Educational & Research Foundation (HEERF) since 2004 and its Chairman since 2006

Keith Smith Award Winner Noel Davies (centre) with (from right) HERA Chairman Peter Hutton, Jean Smith, Heather Davies and HERA Director Wolfgang Scholz

Metals NZ Exporter of the Year
This award recognises outstanding export growth over the past several years resulting from an export marketing strategy developed by HERA member companies, or member companies of associated sector organisations.This year, the Metals NZ Exporter of the Year award was won by Southern Cross Engineering Ltd (SCE) for successfully designing, manufacturing and exporting a new generation mobile grain stacker.

From left: Rocktec Operations Manager Gary Brown, SCE General Manager of Sales Terry Duff, HERA Chairman Peter Hutton, SCE Service Manager Brad Guy

Metals NZ Innovation Award
This award recognises major and demonstrated innovation in product, manufacturing or information technology by HERA member companies or member companies of associated sector organisations.No fewer than six companies were nominated for the Metals NZ Innovation Award. TiDA (Titanium Industry Development Association) took the prize for its ground-breaking research and development of what's known in the industry as Powder Metallurgy Consolidation.

From left: Science Director Dr Peter Franz, Design Engineer Graeme Smith , Office Manager Angela Werder, Chairman Ian Macrae, Chief Executive Warwick Downing, Research Officer Aamir Mukhtar, Board Member Barry Robinson (SAFE Ltd)

Steel Construction New Zealand Excellence in Steel Construction Awards
SCNZ presented its Excellence in Steel Construction awards to the following:

In the $0.5 - $1.5-million category, two projects were nominated with the winning choice being The Cloud on Queens Wharf, Auckland, with Red Steel of Napier the fabricator.

In the More than $3-million category, there were five nominations and the award that the judges favoured was the Forsyth Barr stadium by Grayson Engineering.

From left: Andre Beets, Colin Berger, Graysons Chairman David Moore and SCNZ Chairman Peter Donohue

As in the past, there was a Judges' Merit Award, won by MJH Engineering. MJH's Wellington Indoor Community Sports Centre, at 12,500m2, accommodates 12 netball (or volleyball) courts under one vast, undulating roof.

From left: Head Project Manager Mark Shirtliff, owner of MJH Engineering Malcolm Hammond and SCNZ Chairman Peter Donohue (right)