THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE TO INDUSTRY 2007

The circumstances under which military equipment is used, and the potentially catastrophic effects of breakdown make quality (defined as 'fitness for purpose') a key issue in any forms of procurement. For example:

• Food poisoning is nasty for anyone. When a patrol has to be aborted to carry one of its members to the nearest first aid post, it becomes life threatening in a number of ways, and is unacceptable.
• So called "trivia" of poor stitching of clothing can lead to hypothermia or sunburn. On operations from the Middle East to Antarctica, your nearest replacement may be half a world away!
• Excellence, in all areas is required of all suppliers to the NZDF. Each year excellence is recognised by Defence through the Minister of Defence Award of Excellence to Industry.

Background
The Minister of Defence Award of Excellence to Industry, sponsored by the Defence Industry Committee of New Zealand, is celebrating its 10th year. Each year the Ministry of Defence call for nominations for the awards from; it's own staff, the NZDF, companies (who may nominate sub contractors) and organisations such as industry development agencies.

Criteria
Criteria for judging include:

• Provision of exceptional service.
• Significant innovation to help the NZDF achieve its aims.
• Successful development of wider markets from the outcomes of a defence contact.
• Submission of ideas which can further improve defence efficiency or effectiveness.

Judging
Nominations are received from various sources. Each nominee is visited by an assessment panel appointed by the MoD and NZDF. The panel produces an evaluation report, from which a winner will be selected by a panel representing the MoD, the NZDF, and NZ industry. Winners are announced at the Defence Industry Dinner.

THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE TO INDUSTRY 2007

Teltherm Instruments Limited
Project: Supply of Instrumentation for Naval vessels

Teltherm is a niche supplier who specialise in providing hard to get, obscure measuring devices. Teltherm has a reputation in the RNZN for always being able to locate obsolete gauges which exactly match the Navy's aging fleet and equipment. Though the volume of business is not large, it is a service without which the Navy would face some very real difficulties.