Woolworths New Zealand recently honoured its partners and innovators in the food and grocery industry, handing out 20 awards at its annual Supplier Awards event at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. GrapeCo and Mondelēz were the illustrious recipients of the ‘Supplier of the Year’ titles.
The awards, which included 54 finalists, celebrated the ingenuity and collaborative efforts within the industry.
GrapeCo, a grape supplier for Woolworths NZ, was awarded the ‘Fresh Supreme Supplier’ title for its novel grape varieties and its commitment to sustainability.
Pieter De Wet, commercial director for Woolworths New Zealand, commended GrapeCo’s environmentally-friendly practice of testing reusable crates which could potentially eliminate more than 60 tonnes of packaging from the Woolworths supply chain.
“GrapeCo’s dedication extends beyond the norm. Their impactful strategic partnership and their innovation makes them the worthy recipients of our ‘Fresh Supreme Supplier of the Year’ award,” De Wet stated.
Snack manufacturer Mondelēz was named the ‘Packaged Food Supreme Supplier of the Year’. This accolade represents Mondelēz’s resilience, innovation, and their significant contribution to growth in the industry.
“Mondelēz has truly distinguished itself this year with exceptional performance and strategic ingenuity,” De Wet said. “Their consistent high performance over the past three years, along with their long-term leadership, makes them the rightful winners of the Supreme Award.”
Other award recipients included Breadcraft Wairarapa, MaxFoods, Fonterra, Darren Lobb – Hellers, Vitaco, Hancocks, Simplot, Mondelez New Zealand, Amanda Collier (Suntory Oceania), Taryn Aspeling (Heinz Watties), Essity Australasia, Body Science (BSc), and Harriet Butler (Scalzo).
Who were the ‘Supplier of the Year’ winners at the Woolworths New Zealand Supplier Awards?
The winners of the ‘Supplier of the Year’ titles were grape supplier GrapeCo and snack manufacturer Mondelēz.
Why was GrapeCo awarded the ‘Fresh Supreme Supplier’ title?
GrapeCo was awarded for its introduction of new grape varieties and its commitment to sustainability, specifically for testing reusable crates which could potentially reduce packaging by over 60 tonnes.
What contributed to Mondelēz being named the ‘Packaged Food Supreme Supplier of the Year’?
Mondelēz was recognized for its resilience, innovation, and significant contribution to growth within the food and grocery industry.
