Southland company Backlanz has won the NZAS Innovation in Export Award at this year's Export Southland awards held at a gala function in Invercargill this evening (20 Sep).

The DHL Export Southland Gala Dinner is a biennial event alternating with the Southland Business Excellence Awards and is hosted by the Southland Business Chamber on behalf of the Export Southland Trust.

Backlanz founder and entrepreneur Ethan Todd's revolutionary ultra-lightweight bipod, a support to steady a firearm, is assembled in Invercargill and exported worldwide including an order to the US Navy.

Backlanz's ultra-lightweight bipod. Photo: Backlanz

An engineer by trade, Todd describes himself as just an average kiwi guy who is keen on hunting, fishing and rugby.

Other awards included the 2024 DHL Southland Export Mentorship which was presented to Laura Todd, founder of young company George Munro - Hokonui, a single source lambswool business with products made from crossbred Perendale wool and exported to Sweden, Scotland, France, Germany, England, Australia and Japan.

Davaar & Co and the Resolution Farming App shared the prestigious Export Southland Grant, while export veteran Keith Neylon was presented with the Graham Dick Memorial Trophy for his impact within numerous fields of New Zealand’s primary industry, including the creation of Blue River Dairy.

DHL Export Southland Gala Winners

NZAS Innovation in Export Recognition Award - BACKLANZ

Finalists; Alliance Group, Auld Farm Distillery, Backlanz, Resolution Farming App

2024 DHL Southland Export Mentorship - George Munro - Hokonui

Finalists; Auld Farm Distillery, Fiordland Historic Cruises, Garston Hops, George Munro – Hokonui, Good Guise.

Recipient of the 2024 Graham Dick Memorial Trophy - Keith Neylon

Recipients of the 2024 Export Southland Trust Grant - Davaar & Co, Resolution Farming App