To make this year's Fast 50, entrants had to achieve 161% growth; Christchurch firms feature strongly

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Auckland-based Earthwise Group, maker of environmentally friendly cleaning products, has taken the number one ranking on this year’s Deloitte Fast 50 with an astounding 1004% growth.

Wellington’s cloud computing software specialists GreenButton comes in at number two with impressive 933% and Christchurch-based software development consultants Intranel was third, achieving 878% growth.

Christchurch’s Griffbuild and Auckland-based First In round off this year’s top five.

The annual Deloitte Fast 50 index, announced tonight at the inaugural Deloitte Festival of Fast Growth, ranks businesses according to their revenue growth over the past three years and sets the benchmark for high growth businesses in New Zealand.

National leader of the Fast 50 programme, Deloitte Partner Stephen Nicholas, says Earthwise have been especially successful transitioning their product range, first developed in 1964, from an underground niche brand to the commercial mainstream.

“Earthwise has done this by remaining true to their brand values while taking their mainstream competitors head on – they’re a great example of an ‘overnight success’ 50-years in the making,” he says.

Mr Nicholas says this year has seen a return of smaller lean businesses to the index, driven by technology and sustainability.

He adds that there has been a noticeable increase in businesses from Christchurch on the index, growing from two companies last year to eight in 2013, with two of the top five from the Garden City.

“Regardless of size or location, a common theme for all companies on the 2013 Fast 50 is the focus on, and execution of, great customer experiences,” he says.

To make the 2013 Deloitte Fast 50, companies had to achieve growth of 161%, while growth of at least 463% was required to make the top 10 on the index.

The 2013 group of Deloitte Fast 50 businesses grew the New Zealand economy by $267 million in the past three years and created 886 jobs. 

Along with being the number one ranked business on the Fast 50, Earthwise Group took out the national award for fastest growing manufacturer, while number two ranked GreenButton won the national awards for fastest growing exporter and fastest growing technology business.

Other national category awards went to Griffbuild for fastest growing service business, First In for fastest growing retail or consumer products business, Chemsafety for fastest growing mature business and Mt. Cook Alpine Salmon was the fastest growing primary sector business.

Self-serve frozen yoghurt franchise KiwiYo was named the 2013 national Rising Star.  In association with the Deloitte Fast 50, together with NZTE, the Rising Star awards are designed to recognise early-stage, innovative, high potential companies – the next generation of Fast 50 businesses.

For the full Deloitte Fast 50 index, go to www.fast50.co.nz.