Fisher & Paykel
Flying Kiwi Award 2005
- In 2005 the Flying Kiwi Award was jointly made to Sir Woolf Fisher (1912-1975) and Maurice Paykel (1916 - 2002) - a partnership that could not be separated.
- In 1934 they established iconic New Zealand appliance manufacturers Fisher & Paykel
- Amongst other cutting-edge technologies they developed the Electronic Control System washing machine, Eco-smart washing machines and the award winning Dishdraw
- In the Fisher & Paykel tradition of innovation and excellence they developed ground breaking healthcare equipment which was to become a separate company in 2001 - Fisher & Paykel Healthcare
- F&P exports to 80 countries worldwide and is one of few hi-tech companies to be a household name in New Zealand
- In 2005 Fisher & Paykel became the first billion dollar hi-tech company in New Zealand
- Fisher & Paykel continues to develop world-leading technologies under the chairmanship of Maurice's son Gary Paykel
Sir Woolf Fisher (1912 - 1975) and Maurice Paykel (1916-2002) (Acknowledgement written for the 2005 Hi-Tech Awards presentation)
With so many deserving hi-tech heroes deciding the winner of the Flying Kiwi Award will always be a challenge. However, this year the judges unanimously agreed that the honour is to be awarded jointly to Sir Woolf Fisher and Maurice Paykel, founders of Australasia's largest manufacturer of white ware and appliances. Fisher and Paykel Applicances. The brand has also risen to prominence in the shape of Fisher & Paykel Healthcare.
The company today employs over 2,600 people in three state of the art manufacturing facilities located in Auckland and Dunedin, New Zealand and Cleveland, Australia. Over 70% of production is exported to major markets including the US and the UK. Total operating revenues topped NZ $1 billion for the year ending 31 March 2005 - New Zealand's firs billion dollar hi-tech company!
One day in Auckland in the early 1930's Woolf Fisher offered to sell a surplus of refrigerators unwanted by the parents of his close friend, Maurice Paykel. Fisher realized there was a future in imputing refrigerators following the pair's first sale in Whangarei. With his partner, Maurice Paykel, and other family members they formed the company of Fisher & Paykel in January 1934. Woolf's contribution was 40 and a ₤210 loan on his 1928 De Soto car.
Woolf was knighted in January 1964 and, together with Maurice, led the company until his death in 1975. Sir Woolf Fisher admired integrity, kindness, generosity, leadership and boldness of vision along with exceptional zeal, keenness and capacity for work. An emphasis on staff welfare - employees were provided with excellent meals and conditions - and Fisher's easy personal relationship with his workers contributed to the company's enviable industrial relations record.
Paykel put his energies into the administrative side of the business, ensuring that whatever deals his partner did, the company delivered on. In 1975, after the death of Sir Woolf Fisher, Maurice Paykel assumed the leadership of the firm. He became chairman in 1979 and was consistently involved in the leadership and direction of the firm until his death in 2002.
Sir Woolf and Maurice both enjoyed extensive extracurricular activities. Sir Woolf led a New Zealand Trade Mission to Australia, established the Woolf Fisher Trust, was active in the Outward Bound Movement, served on the Trade Promotion Council and owned the Ra Ora Stud at East Tamaki. Hew was also a director for the NZ Insurance Co. Ltd; chairman of the New Zealand Steel Investigating Co. Ltd; a council member of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce; a committee member of the Auckland Racing Club; president of the Auckland Polo Club; trustee of the Institute of Economic Research; and a member of the Auckland Rotary Club.
Maurice was equally involved in the community. He established The Maurice and Phyllis Paykel Trust and donated significantly to the first Foundation Chair of Ophthalmology. He also had other directorships and was chairman of the Woolf Fisher Trust, member of the New Zealand Inventions Development Authority, member and chairman of the Medical Research Council and active in the Laura Fergusson Trust.