Countdown has announced the winners of its annual partnership awards which were held last week to recognise excellence and innovation across the food and grocery industry in Aotearoa.
After what’s been a somewhat bumpy year for the industry, with inflation and supply chain challenges continuing to bite, the awards were a chance for Countdown to toast the successes and innovation of their supply partners despite all the challenges that have been thrown their way.
Over 280 attendees from across Aotearoa virtually or physically attended the event held in Auckland on 17 November 2022.
For their ambitious and industry-leading work on sustainability, along with their exceptional sales growth in Countdown stores, Ethique were recognised as Countdown’s Small Supplier of the Year and Sustainability Partner of the Year.
Steve Mills, Countdown’s Commercial Director Packaged Goods, says “Ethique is an exceptional supply partner, and an absolute pleasure to work with – they are creative, and constantly looking for new ways to reduce their impact on the environment and to do better for the next generation.
“We admire their ethos as a business, and look forward to many more years of working together,” says Steve.
Taking out the award for Fresh Supreme Supplier of the Year was AS Wilcox and Sons who stood out for their innovation and leadership.
Pieter de Wet, Countdown’s Commercial Director Fresh, says “We’ve partnered with AS Wilcox and Sons for over 40 years now and like us, they take great pride in ensuring they deliver great quality and value to our customers, which makes for a perfect recipe for a successful business relationship. The work they have done in the couple of years to diversify their crops has been very well received by customers and means we have more options on shelf than ever before.”
“It’s critical that we spend time with our supply partners in the lead up to our busiest time of the year and acknowledge the incredible work that happens every day in our industry. We want to thank all of our partners for their ongoing dedication and support of our business, and especially congratulate all of our 2022 award winners” says Pieter.
The full list of winners is below:
| Countdown Small Supplier of the Year | Ethique |
| Countdown Fruit & Vegetable Supplier of the Year | AS Wilcox and Sons Limited |
| Countdown Bakery Supplier of the Year | Goodman Fielder |
| Countdown Meat & Seafood Supplier of the Year | Max Foods NZ Ltd |
| Countdown Perishables & Delicatessen Supplier of the Year | Better Eggs |
| Countdown Fresh Account Manager of the Year | Reece Lusty – Life Health Foods |
| Countdown Everyday Needs Supplier of the Year | Cottonsoft |
| Countdown Pharmacy, Health & Body Supplier of the Year | Simply Good Foods |
| Countdown Liquor Supplier of the Year | Constellation Brands |
| Countdown Grocery – Beverages, Snacking & Breakfast Supplier of the Year | Twin Agencies |
| Countdown Grocery – Pantry & Freezer Supplier of the Year | Tip Top |
| Countdown Packaged Account Manager of the Year | Jen Watson – Lion |
| Countdown Sustainability Partner of the Year | Ethique |
| Countdown Integrated Supply Planner of the Year | William Feng – Reckitt Benckiser Home and Heath |
| Woolworths Food Company NZ Supplier of the Year | Beak & Johnston NZ |
| Countdown Cartology Campaign of the Year | McCain – Pub Style Chips |
| Countdown Fresh Supreme Supplier of the Year | AS Wilcox and Sons Limited |
| Countdown Packaged Supreme Supplier of the Year | Cottonsoft |
