Switch Running Up for awards

http://www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz/news/export-champs-lauded/1879213/

The finalists in the four categories were revealed last week, with the winners to be announced at a gala awards night in Mt Maunganui on June 28.

As well as Waiariki, Rotorua has another finalist in The Tree Lab while Switch Kites (Kawerau) are up for two awards, Surtees Boats represents Whakatane and Paengaroa-based Comvita New Zealand also feature.

Switch Kites - with its official base in Kawerau but with staff around the Bay of Plenty and the world - is the only finalist to feature in two categories, namely the Emerging Exporter of the Year and Innovation in Export awards.

The company designs equipment for the sport of kite boarding and manufactures it in factories around the world. It then sells direct to its customers online - thus cutting out the middle man.

Co-owner and designer Daniel Kajavala said the business was now in its third year and things were going well after starting off with a "hiss and a roar".

He said 98 per cent of its sales were export business, with 70 per cent in Europe.

http://www.idealog.co.nz/news/2013/05/2013-bnz-bay-plenty-exportnz-awards-finalists