Global award for Plumber

The Hokitika plumber who became the South Island young executive of the year in July has taken a prize at the international final in Ulster.

Phil Routhan was competing in the Worldcom World Young Business Achievers’ competition in Belfast.--Representatives of 22 countries took part.--Routhan won an award for management excellence.--Two other awards were presented: for business initiative and environmental quality.

“The other finalists all seemed to be involved in multi-million dollar organisations,” Mr Routhan said from Ireland.--“They could not believe an award would go to a small town plumber from New Zealand – and neither could I.”

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Sir Patrick Mayhew, presented Mr Routhan with his trophy, a gold clock set in crystal.

Mr Routhan bought the Hokitika firm W.H. Shannon and Company four days after he finished his plumbing apprenticeship at the age of 19.--Now 34, he has expanded the firm by setting up one-plumber bases at outlying towns.