Air New Zealand celebrates it’s suppliers at the inaugural Tuhono Supplier Awards

• August 7, 2019
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Air New Zealand has recognised and awarded it’s suppliers in its inaugural supplier awards. The Tuhono Supplier Awards recognises and celebrates more than 4,000 that play a vital role in its operations.

Kiwi aircraft interior cabin upholsterer Flight Interiors took out the evening’s supreme award – the Tūhono Award. The company has been working with Air New Zealand for more than 30 years with recent projects including designing and manufacturing New Zealand leather seat covers for the airline’s new A320 and A321neo fleet and making enhancements to the Economy Skycouch infant harness, belt and pod for the airline’s youngest customers.

Air New Zealand’s supply chain has evolved in recent years with a focus on strong supplier partnerships based on shared values and objectives and a deep commitment to sustainable procurement with the airline working to gain greater visibility and assurance across its complex supply chain. Air New Zealand annually spends more than $1.1 Billion excluding fuel and labour spend but including contract labour spend across its global supply chain and through the awards has leveraged a massive opprtunity to advance sustanability through procurement practices.

Air New Zealand’s inaugural Tūhono Supplier Awards winners are:

• Customer Commitment or Impact Award
  For a supplier which has made an outstanding contribution to Air New Zealand’s customer experience.
  Winner: Concentrix
  Concentrix has been the airline’s New Zealand-based contact centre partner for six years.
• Operational Excellence Award
  For a supplier which has made a strong contribution to Air New Zealand’s operational performance.
  Winner: Michelin Australia
  Michelin Australia has been the airline’s predominant aviation tyre provider since 2007.
• Innovation Award
  For a supplier which has created, driven and delivered innovation, value and efficiencies over and above contracted arrangement.
  Winner: Flight Interiors
  Flight Interiors has been supplying and managing soft furnishings for Air New Zealand’s aircraft interiors for more than 30 years.
• Sustainability & Ethical Practices Award
  For a supplier which has carried out outstanding sustainability and ethical work which has enhanced Air New Zealand’s sustainability performance.
  Winner: Ecoware
  Ecoware provides low impact, compostable packaging and has developed sustainable inflight products for the airline.
• Regional Partnership Award
  For a New Zealand based supplier which consistently demonstrates high performance, as well as punches above its weight to supercharge the success of New Zealand’s regions.
  Winner: JNP Aviation
  JNP Aviation supports the airline’s ramp and front of house operations in several regional airports the airline serves.
• Best International Partnership Award
  For a partnership with an international supplier that has unlocked mutual value for both the supplier and Air New Zealand through strategic alignment and delivery of key initiatives.
  Winner: ST Engineering Aerospace
  ST Engineering Aerospace has provided aircraft maintenance services to the airline since 2012.
• Best New Zealand Partnership Award
  For a partnership with a New Zealand based supplier that has unlocked mutual value for both the supplier and Air New Zealand through strategic alignment and delivery of key initiatives.
  Winner: Villa Maria
  Villa Maria has been Air New Zealand’s exclusive wine partner for its lounges and Premium Economy and Economy cabins for the past four years.
• Tūhono Award
  The supreme award with the winner selected from among the individual category award winners. For the supplier which has demonstrated commitment to its relationship with Air New Zealand by regularly stepping up and ‘Going Beyond’ for the airline.
  Winner: Flight Interiors