Austrade media release 20 November 2009
Four Queensland companies were honoured among Australia’s most successful exporters at the Australian Export Awards this evening, hosted by the Minister for Trade, the Hon Simon Crean MP.
Murarrie-based company NOJA Power Switchgear has been selected for the ultimate exporting accolade, the Prime Minister’s Australian Exporter of the Year. NOJA Power also won the Large Advanced Manufacturing Award, sponsored by Australian Made Campaign Limited.
NOJA Power has created an environmentally friendly solution to increasing the reliability of electricity supply in more than 70 countries. The company designs and manufactures low and medium voltage switchgear products that are considered to be leading edge technology, eliminating the need for oil or sulfur hexafluoride insulants – both of which have negative environmental implications. Founded in 2002, and now exporting to 70 countries, NOJA Power has 80 employees: and every one of those jobs can be directly attributable to export growth. The company has just built a $7 million purpose-built facility to provide additional production capacity.
Winning the Agribusiness Award, sponsored by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was Capilano Honey. Exporting premium quality honey to 52 counties, Capilano Honey accounts for over 90 per cent of all retail-packed honey exported from Australia – making it one of the most widely distributed Australian food brands internationally. The company has achieved several packaging world-firsts including the Upside Down pack and the Snap’n Squeeze honey sachets.
Wesfarmers Curragh won the Minerals and Energy Award, sponsored by the Minerals Council of Australia, against tough competition. The company has shown remarkable resilience during the global financial crisis and total export sales increased substantially despite the largest reduction in international demand in 40 years. This increase is directly attributable to the company’s investment in new technology and its strong customer relationships. Wesfarmers Curragh is a first-time finalist in the Australian Export Awards.
Toowoomba-based Russell Mineral Equipment (RME) was inducted into the Australian Export Awards Hall of Fame, only the eighth company to achieve this honour. A company has to win an Australian Export Award three occasions to achieve this recognition. A specialist mining equipment company started over 20 years ago by Dr John Russell, RME is now a world leader in this niche market, exporting nearly all its products to the world’s mining markets. RME won the Regional Exporter Award in 2001 and 2007 and the Large Advanced Manufacturer Award in 2008.
Congratulating the 12 National Winners, Minister Crean said that collectively, these companies have generated more than $1.5 billion in export earnings and employed more than 2,400 people.
The Australian Export Awards are co-presented by Austrade and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Now in its 47th year of recognising export excellence, the Awards are one of the longest running and most prestigious business awards.
ENDS Media contacts Capilano Honey: Peter McDonald, 07 3712 8282
NOJA Power Switchgear: Nancy Holdsworth, 07 3907 8777
Wesfarmers Curragh: Kent Beasley, 0427 574 838 or 07 3031 7731
Russell Mineral Equipment: John Russell,07 4698 9109
Australian Export Awards: Emma Bailey, 0414 969 348 or 02 9390 2077
For further news and information from the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) visit www.austrade.gov.au//mediacentre.
|