Gallagher success celebrated at New Zealand International Business Awards 2009

Tim Gibson, Chief Executive of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise commented, “The current economic downturn has forced, and will continue to force, change on New Zealand businesses. But it doesn’t alter the need for more New Zealand companies to internationalise, to grow their business, the economy and help improve the living standards of all New Zealanders. The New Zealand International Business Awards are an opportunity to celebrate excellence in exporting.”

As winner of the Best Commercialisation of Intellectual Property in International Business award, Gallagher Group was recognised for its success in developing and commercialising intellectual property in international markets, incorporating rights protection, assuring quality throughout the supply chain and continuous improvement. Gallagher Group is comprised of a number of divisions that manufacture and export a range of products to more than 130 countries. Products include animal management systems – electric fencing, livestock weighing and electronic identification systems; security management systems – Cardax and PowerFence™ brands; people, assets and access control; fuel dispensing systems; plastic injection and die-cast tooling; and a specialist plastic moulding company.

“While our various divisions are highly successful their own right, what sets us apart is the ability to leverage the unique competencies and resources of each division across the Group,” explains Chief Executive Bill Gallagher. “Our portfolio of businesses provides protection against the effects of specific industry volatility,” says Mr Gallagher. “In addition, our private ownership structure also means the business can take a long term view rather than having to react to short term market pressures.” To protect its intellectual property, the Group has more than 100 patents worldwide which it aggressively monitors, taking legal action when followers copy.

Gallagher Group leads the market by delivering excellent and innovative technological solutions, including many world-firsts. Gallagher Group continues to set itself ambitious growth targets, which Mr Gallagher says will be achieved through ongoing market development underpinned by industry leading R&D, and strategic acquisitions locally and globally

As winner of the Outstanding International Business Leader Award, Gallagher Group’s inspirational Chief Executive, Bill Gallagher was recognised for his vision, commitment and success as an outstanding leader with a long history in internationalisation. This award acknowledges successful results achieved through planning, business model structure, operational management, research and development, financial strategy, product or service development, partnerships and a willingness to share, combined with acting as a role model and mentor.

The excitement of pursuing international opportunities hasn’t diminished since Bill joined the Hamilton family firm more almost half a century ago. “When I started fulltime with the business in the early 1960s I thought if we could grow from ten to 40 staff we’d be pretty big,” recalls Bill. Today Gallagher Group, which has its roots in agriculture, employs 600 people in New Zealand and many hundreds more at the next tier of distribution internationally.

Bill became chief executive in 1975 and chairman in 1984. Under his leadership annual sales have grown from less than $2 million to about $170 million. He has spearheaded the Group’s expansion into a multi-national manufacturing and marketing company. A born entrepreneur who was manufacturing and selling scuba dive gear and operating a salvage business while still at school, Bill still spends up to 150 days of the year travelling the world, meeting with distributors, attending field days and trade fairs, and cultivating relationships to help break into new markets.

Tim Gibson, CEO of NZTE comments, “Never has there been a better time to celebrate those companies that are succeeding and to encourage others to follow in their footsteps. I acknowledge all those New Zealand businesses who took the time to enter the International Business Awards, commend those who were named as finalists and congratulate those few that were recognised at the Awards as the best of the best.

Your aspiration is others’ inspiration.”