TIN100 Launch 2010

The nationwide launch of the 2010 Report began in Auckland on September 14, followed by Wellington on the following day and Christchurch on November 10. (delayed by the earthquake).

The Auckland launch was held at the waterfront pavilion at Oram’s Marina. A crowd of over 100 people including many TIN CEO’s enjoyed food and drink in the setting of the spectacular Westhaven Marina. Companies attending included a broad representation of some of our leading technology exporters such as, Orion Health, Framecad, Glidepath, Wellington Drive Technologies, Vista Entertainment Solutions and AFT Pharmaceuticals. Introductions were provided by Ben Willem’s of Ernst and Young, followed by an address by Murray Bain CEO of The Foundation of Research Science and Technology (Now CEO of the Ministry of Science and Innovation) and a presentation of the TIN100 Reports key findings by Greg Shanahan of TIN.
Murray Bain, (standing in for the Hon. Wayne Mapp, Minister of Research Science and Technology), emphasised the importance of the technology sector and the level of support the government is providing.
Greg Shanahan’s presentation presented an overview of the sector trends with particular emphasis on growth areas and strategies.

Keys points of the presentation included:

The sector is large. TIN100 Revenues are $6.7B
TIN 100 exports have performed better during the global financial crisis than NZ’s traditional commodities
Part of the TIN100’s strength lay in the exposure to diverse markets
2010 growth was subdued vs. 2009
Nevertheless the top 20 high growth companies have grown by 30% between 2008 and 2010 and comprise 42% of total TIN100 Revenue
Since 2006 the profile of the companies has changed to where 75% of TIN100 Companies have revnues of over $20m
NZ was fortunate in that we are close to economically robust economies of Australia and Asia. Both are growing in importance as TIN100 markets
Profitability erosion is a major concern driven by falling demand and adverse currency movements.
These two pressures are increasingly demanding market leadership as a criteria for profitability and growth.
NZ has a rich heritage of market leading innovation, and many TIN100 companies are market leaders either globally or regionally
Market leadership creates market momentum, enables the company to be a price maker and protects margins
Typically the market leaders spend a higher % of revenue on R&D ,9% vs. an average of 6%
Forecasting for the year ahead:

The Growth Markets will be IT Services and Health
The Growth Regions will be Australia and Asia
Growth Companies will be often private
The Growth position will be No.1 for Technology or Value
The Growth Potential for the sector is in the swelling ranks of companies with revnues of NZ$20m-$50m
Growth Leverage exists for greater integration of Government R&D spend with the private sector
The Growth Vision is for the Technology Sector to become NZ’s leading export category.

The TIN100 launch was a very social event, providing an opportunity for many to catch up with old friends at an impressive venue with great food and wine. It replaced the annual Leaders Dinner normally help around this time.

With the world put to rights the guests finally departed down the gangway and past the rows of stacked boats.

With the growing profile of the Report we will repeat the TIN100 Launches in the regional centres in 2011.

Thanks to our sponsors NZTE, TechNZ, Ernst and Young and EveredgeIP.

Here’s to an even bigger 2011!

To purchase a copy of the TIN100 2010 click here