Rakon takes out Hi-Tech Company of the Decade award

Auckland's Rakon may be some distance from regaining its early sharemarket success, but the high-tech company triumphed  at the 17th annual NZ Hi-Tech Awards, announced Friday night, winning both the PwC Hi-Tech Company of the Year Award and the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Hi-Tech Company of the Decade Award.

The company's shares (NZX: RAK) which traded over $5 during 2007 and 2008), were up 0.85% to $1.19 in early trading. They have a 52-week range of $0.86 to $1.33.

Rakon makes oscillating crystals which are used in satellite navigation systems, smart phones, cellphone tower base stations and (whisper it) guided missiles, but is secretive about its clients.

The exclusive international judging panel were impressed by all five contenders for the Company of the Decade Award, commenting that, “collectively the companies give great weight to the argument that geography is not destiny - you can build a great global business no matter where you start from”. The judges described Rakon as “gutsy and innovative, with an excellent team and spectacular growth”, declaring  that “Rakon is a company that is truly international in appeal”.

The awards recognise excellence across New Zealand's software, electronics, biotechnology, telecommunications and creative technology industries. The winners this year were announced in front of a record number of attendees in Wellington. Several first time entrants walked away with awards including  Mi5 Security, VoucherMob, YikeBike, Foster Moore and RedVespa.

The winners:

NZTE Hi-Tech Company of the Decade: Rakon
Rakon is a world leader in the design and manufacture of frequency control solutions for high-performance and high-volume markets. Headquartered in Auckland, Rakon has manufacturing facilities in NZ, Europe, India and soon China. Sales and customer support offices are located around the world. It was awarded Supreme Company of the Year in 2003.
www.rakon.com

PwC Hi-Tech Company of the Year 2011: Rakon
Rakon is a world leader in the design and manufacture of frequency control solutions for high performance and high volume markets. Founded in New Zealand in 1967 by Warren Robinson, Rakon became the leading supplier of GPS TCXOs to the world market in 1991. Today Rakon is not only a leader in frequency control solutions for the GPS market, but also for the expanding timing and synchronisation, wireless and base station markets. It is headquartered in Auckland and has manufacturing facilities in New Zealand, Europe, India and soon China. Sales and customer support offices are located around the world. Rakon is a publically listed company on the New Zealand stock exchange.
www.rakon.com

NZX Hi-Tech Emerging Company 2011: Foster Moore
Foster Moore is a specialist developer of electronic registries purpose-built to meet the statutory and service needs of legislative and governmental agencies. Since developing the world’s first fully electronic, online register in 1996, it has designed and built more than 30 types of registers, from simple registers of motor vehicle traders to highly complex radio spectrum management registers. It is currently expanding its business in developed and developing countries.
www.fostermoore.com

Highly Commended: Biomatters
www.biomatters.com

Ministry of Science and Innovation Best Hi-Tech Start-up 2011: VoucherMob
VoucherMob is a powerful marketing tool for businesses wanting to directly incentivise consumers to buy from them. VoucherMob seeks to deliver a low-cost, accountable solution using best-in-class marketing, technology and design in order to help our clients maximise sales. VoucherMob is owned and operated by a passionate group of marketing and technology professionals who understand the challenges of retailing and consumer behaviour.
www.vouchermob.co.nz

NZMEA Hi-Tech Exporter of the Year 2011 - Under $5million - Serko
Serko is an online corporate travel booking software solution that makes organising travel, faster, easier and cheaper. SERKO software allows corporate customers to handle their own travel bookings and covers the full cycle of travel-based transactions including flights, accommodation, rental car bookings and insurance. It is used by more than 60% of NZ corporate travel agencies. Its clients include a major Australian corporate and leading travel management companies in Asia Pacific.
www.serkoonline.com

Over $5million: Orion Health
Orion Health is a leading provider of clinical workflow and integration technology for the healthcare sector. Its clinical information software meets the information needs of clinical staff and healthcare managers, delivering secure, universal access to healthcare information and helping healthcare providers proactively manage and coordinate patient care across the community. Its clients include Abbott Laboratories, New York State Department of Health, Capital Health, New South Wales Health, and the New Zealand Ministry of Health. Orion Health is based in Auckland, with offices in North America, Europe and Australia.
www.orionhealth.com

Recruit IT Hi-Tech Employer of Choice Award 2011: Redvespa
Redvespa is an information technology consultancy specialising in business analysis, complemented by project management services. Since 2003, Redvespa has built an enviable reputation in providing highly experienced people to deliver quality consultancy services. Its clients range from large public companies and government departments through to medium-sized businesses.
www.redvespa.co.nz

Vodafone Most Innovative Product from an Emerging Market 2011 - Mobile Technologies: Mi5 Security
Mi5 Security is a world leader in the creation and supply of converged security and technology innovations. Its products and services empower people to control and manage their personal security through unique surveillance and online products combining the latest technology advances with proven and solid security practices.
www.mi5.co.nz

Duncan Cotterill Innovative Hi-Tech Software Product Award 2011: Serko
Serko is an online corporate travel booking software solution that makes organising travel, faster, easier and cheaper. SERKO software allows corporate customers to handle their own travel bookings and covers the full cycle of travel-based transactions including flights, accommodation, rental car bookings and insurance. It is used by more than 60% of NZ corporate travel agencies.
www.serkoonline.com

Highly Commended - Orion Health
www.orionhealth.com

HiFX Innovative Hi-Tech Services Product Award 2011: Konnect
Konnect is a leading provider of business process management solutions and services to clients in the insurance, health and finance sectors across New Zealand and Australia. Its SureMed service has radically improved the process that New Zealand-based insurers use to obtain medical information required for insurance underwriting and assessment.
www.konnect.co.nz

Dell Innovative Hi-Tech Hardware Product Award 2011: YikeBike
YikeBike develops and manufactures mini-farthings with exceptional performance, design and safety. The first design is the YikeBike, the lightest smallest electric folding bike in the world. The vision at YikeBike is to create products that are fantastically functional and works of art. Based in Christchurch, YikeBike is backed by the two largest venture capital firms in New Zealand, Pioneer Capital Partners and K1W1, and the Ministry for Science and Innovation.
www.yikebike.com

Tait Radio Communications Special industry award: Jenny Morel
Jenny Morel’s support for the hi-tech industry has been extensive – not only in funding start-ups but in being a member of the Government's ICT Taskforce, a Trustee of the Hi Growth Project and a past chair of the Hi Tech Association. She is currently CEO of Rex Bionics, the founder and CEO of Morgo Conferences and Managing Partner at No.8 Ventures.  The recipient of this year’s special hi-tech industry award - Jenny Morel.

Swaytech Hi-Tech Journalist Award 2011: Anthony Doesburg
Anthony is a freelance technology writer. He has been writing about technology for a couple of decades, first for Computerworld, and now for a range of publications including the New Zealand Herald in which he has a weekly column.

Maxnet Hi-Tech Young Achiever Award 2011: Sarah Perkin
Sarah started an early track record of excellence at the University of Auckland’s International Business School and has continued her journey of success within the hi-tech industry as a key member of the Sentient Software management team. In her role as manager, New Zealand  sales and marketing, Sarah has gained the highest respect from both her colleagues and customers, many of whom are in the top 40 companies across New Zealand and Australia.