New, future-focused leader category in innovation awards

The Heavy Engineering Research Association (HERA) is looking for the industry’s top future-focused leader – the person who is the greatest exemplar, in the current market, of the combination of quality Business, As Usual (BAU) leadership with a practical but bold and ambitious vision for the future. 

The association says the engineering and metals industries are at an exciting but challenging crossroads. While (BAU) is vital from a cash flow and business stability standpoint, the work of future proofing is urgent, both to shore up the sector now and protect it over the volatile next decade and beyond. This is the philosophy behind HERA’s Future Forum 20/20 VISION and the aligned HERA Innovation Awards, which will be presented at the HERA Future Forum Nation Dinner at the Auckland Museum Events Centre on 21 February 2020.

Starting from 2020, the HERA Industry Awards will be every three years to recognise who has significantly contributed to the industry’s success. These were previously presented as part of the Metals NZ conference’s Industry Gala Dinner to those who had demonstrated considerable achievements in export and innovation. HERA says it is now shaking things up and aligning the awards with the new Future Forum series, which is about building a tribe of metalheads and casting a collective gaze to the future so the industry can prepare for disruption.

CEO, Troy Coyle, said the award recognises major innovation being implemented within the industry. “We know our industry could be disrupted by the end of next decade by technology and alternative materials, and we want to identify, acknowledge and reward future-focused leadership which offers a way forward for other members who are looking to push innovation in their own companies and specialist areas.”

“What makes these awards so rewarding is that recipients are selected by their peers. An acknowledgement that we believe means so much more, because it comes from the heart of our industry,” she stated.

Nominations for the HERA Industry Awards close 10 December. Submissions can be made at hera.org.nz/our-industry-awards/   or hera.org.nz/industry-awards-nomination/ 

There are three core award categories in which member and individuals can be nominated:

Keith Smith Memorial Award for distinguished service to the New Zealand metals industry. Open to anyone (irrespective of whether a HERA member), this award is the most celebrated – and honours founding chairman Keith Smith and his endowment left to the HERA Foundation. Because this award inherently rewards renowned and outstanding service, it’s not always possible to find a suitable candidate, so it is presented only when the selection criteria is met.

The winner receives a free industry dinner registration for themselves and their partner, and reimbursement of associated travel costs and accommodation for the night of the Nation Dinner (to an agreed level). They are also awarded a monetary prize from the Keith Smith bequest and commemorative plaque. 

Innovation Award, open to HERA members only. This award recognises major innovation being implemented through demonstrated product, manufacturing, information technology, process or service innovations. Members are encouraged to nominate themselves.

The winner receives a free industry dinner registration for themselves and their partner, and reimbursement of associated travel costs and accommodation for the night of the Nation Dinner (to an agreed level).

The winner also receives a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion, an ‘Innovation READY, SET & GO’ registration for one selected staff member in their company and promotion of their achievement on HERA’s digital platforms.

Leading Metalhead Award, open to any individual who is a member of the New Zealand metals industry (irrespective of if they are HERA members). This is a newly created award that acknowledges high potential staff not yet at executive level who have created a mind shift change in their business to prepare them for the future. As a top future-focused leader in the HERA membership – they exemplify a combination of quality BAU leadership with a practical but bold and ambitious vision for the future. This could be in the areas of diversity,

innovation, new markets, new policies and procedures or anywhere they have transformed business as usual. The winner will receive a monetary prize of $1000 and a commemorative plaque presented at the Nation Dinner.