Winners of the 2008 Australian Export Awards announced

Thirteen leading Australian exporters were recognised for outstanding achievements in international business on Friday, 5 December.

Announcing the winners of the 2008 Australian Export Awards, the Minister for Trade, the Hon Simon Crean MP, said these thirteen companies had shown they have what it takes to compete on the world stage and win, earning $969 million in export revenues and providing employment for more than 1,400 people.

The overall winner, the Prime Minister’s Australian Exporter of the Year, was announced by the Prime Minister, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP.

Appen, a leading provider of products and services to the speech technology industry, employs 150 people in seven countries and increased its exports by 50 per cent over the last year.

There was at least one Award winner from every State and Territory.

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Latest releases, speeches, publications 

• Leading Exporters Recognised for Outstanding Achievements in International Business (Ministerial) (5 December 2008)
• Tasmanian companies compete for national export awards (Parliamentary Secretary) (17 November 2008) 
• ACT companies compete for national export awards (Parliamentary Secretary) (12 November 2008)
• Australian Export Awards Finalists Winning on the World Stage (Minister Crean - 7 November 2008) 
• Top End launches Australian Export Awards program (Austrade - 8 July 2008)
• Exporting doyens share wisdoms at Australian Export Awards event (Austrade - 30 June 2008)
• Australian exporters learn from the best (Austrade - 23 June 2008)
• Australian exporters honoured at Parliament House (Minister Crean - 23 June 2008)
• 2008 Australia Export Awards Recognise Excellence in International Business (Minister Crean - 21 May 2008)
•  Opening of the 2008 South Australian and Australian Export Awards (Minister Crean speech - 21 May 2008)
• Australian Export Awards launch supplement (The Australian - 21 May 2008 -  Note: 2.4 MB PDF opens in new window hosted by www.exportawards.gov.au)

Success stories 

	Tassie pitch for UK defence contract   Tasmanian business Liferaft Systems Australia (LSA) last year secured $10 million in exports to various passenger ferry operators and navies around the world and are on track to secure a $6 million deal with the UK Ministry of Defence.
	Top honours in export education Box Hill Institute of TAFE's winnning the Education Award at the Governor of Victoria Export Awards was soon followed by collecting the national Microsoft Education Award at  the 2006 Australian Export Awards.
	Online information management company wins award Aconex, winner of the 2006 Emerging Exporter Award, now has offices in more than 30 countries and is one of the world’s largest providers of online collaboration for the construction and engineering industries.
	ResMed named 2006 DHL Australian Exporter of the Year World-leading medical device manufacturer ResMed won the Large Advanced Manufacturer Award and the Australian Exporter of the Year at the 2006 Australian Export Awards.
	Appen not speechless after winning export award Sydney-based ICT business Appen Pty Ltd is capitalising on its 2005 Australian Export Award to help business both domestically and overseas, by strengthening relationships with existing and targeted customers.
	Australian Export Award opens doors for Rofin Winning its category in the prestigious 2005 Australian Export Awards has added to the excellent reputation built over 20 years by scientific instrument developer and manufacturer Rofin Australia.
	Agribusiness award enhances credibility for Mulwarra Mulwarra Export continues to attract recognition for its performance as a supplier of Australian meats, seafood, game and cheeses to markets throughout Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Russia.
	Export award tops winning year for GroundProbe For Queensland mining and civil engineering technology company GroundProbe, winning a 2005 Australian Export Award capped a big year of recognition for the business.