Pump manufacturer is Hunter and Central Coast Exporter of the Year
A Hunter based pump manufacturer has been named the Hunter and CentralCoast’s top exporter for 2009.
The Sykes Group took out the 2009 Newcastle Port Corporation Hunter and Central Coast Exporter of the Year Award at a gala function in Newcastle tonight (May 22).
Sykes beat a record 23 finalists to take out top honours. The Cardiff headquartered company was also a finalist in last year’s awards.
Only one of last year’s winners was successful again this year. Winemaker Yarraman Estate won the Hunter Economic Development Corporation Upper Hunter Exporter of the Year. Other winners included CentralCoast based firm RFID n Print who took out the Austrade Emerging Exporter Award. The winner of the Hunter Export Centre Large Established Exporter Award was Gateshead based refueling systems company Banlaw. Newcastle’s AOK Health won the Department of State and Regional Development Small Established Exporter Award.
Around 120 guests attended the event at the HunterTheatre at Broadmeadow. The Awards were opened up to the CentralCoast for the first time this year. Ten CentralCoast companies were finalists.
Hunter Export Centre manager Dean Irwin said the judges were impressed by the quality and diversity of products and services being exported.
“Our export sector is continuing to grow as our economy diversifies and grows,” Mr Irwin said.
The judges awarded a Special Innovation Award to Newcastle headquartered management information systems company QMastor Limited. Encouragement awards were presented to St Philip’s ChristianCollege (which has campuses on the central Coast and in Newcastle) as well to CentralCoast companies Boatspeed Australia and The School of Integrated Body Therapy.
“We have many innovative companies who are taking the best of the Hunter and CentralCoast regions to the world, creating local investment and jobs.”
He said the companies were assessed on their marketing and export strategies with a focus on innovation.
The awards, which are in their ninth year, are organised Hunter Export Centre (HEC). They were the final event of this year’s Hunter and Central Coast Festival of Innovation.
The HEC commenced operations in 1995 and provides support to an increasing number of Hunter companies that are exporting to all corners of the globe. It is a unit of the Hunter Economic Development Corporation (HEDC) and is supported by the NSW Department of State and Regional Development (DSRD).
The Winners: 2009 Hunter and Central Coast Export Awards
Newcastle Port Corporation Exporter of the Year:
Sykes Group
Austrade Emerging Exporter Award:
RFID N Print
NSW Dept of State and Regional Development Small Established Exporter Award:
AOK Health
Hunter Export Centre Large Established Exporter Award:
Banlaw
Hunter Economic Development Corporation Upper Hunter Exporter of the Year:
Yarraman Estate
Judges Award for Innovation:
QMASTOR Limited
Judges Special Encouragement Awards
School of Integrated Body Therapy
Boat Speed Australia
St Philip’s ChristianCollege
Newcastle Port Corporation Hunter and CentralCoast Exporter of the Year:
Sykes Group
Contact: http://www.sykesgroup.com/or 61 2 4954 3333
The Sykes Group designs and manufactures a range of pumps for industry at its Newcastle facility.
Established in 1967, this Hunter based company is now one of the largest auto prime pump manufacturers in the world. Sykes has effectively utilised a variety of entry strategies to develop an individualised approach to each new export country. Sykes now exports to countries including India, New Zealand, the USA, the UK, Indonesia, Thailand, Africa and the Middle East.
The number of staff involved in exporting and annual export sales continues to grow. Export sales are now 56% of Sykes total sales revenue.
Sykes recently expanded in manufacturing capacity at its Cardiff headquarters.
Austrade Emerging Exporter Award:
RFID n PRINT
Contact, http://www.rfidprint.com.au/or 61 2 4394 0333
RFID n Print is a tag and label manufacturer specialising in the supply of unique, Australian-made custom wrist bands, automotive tags, variable data tags and product certification tags.
The company is at the forefront of the manufacture of radio frequency identification (or RFID) tags.
The CentralCoast based company has only been exporting for two years. This year it has increased export sales by 356%. RFID n Print already exports to the USA, Korea, Europe, and the United Arab Emirates.
Small Established Exporter Award:
AOK HEALTH
Contact: http://www.aokhealth.com.au/ or 61 2 4963 9555
The AOK Health Group specialises in the design manufacture and distribution of health, exercise and rehabilitation products as well as the provision of health education services. It employs 12 staff locally.
AOK exports to more than 18 countries. Export sales are expected to grow by 33% this year.
AOK has achieved rapid success with innovative partnerships as well as the development of an E-Commerce and IT system that plugs into its customers systems and is designed to save them money.
Hunter Export Centre Large Established Exporter Award:
BANLAW
Contact: http://www.banlaw.com.au/or 61 2 4922 6300
Banlaw specialises in the design, manufacture and implementation of hydrocarbon management systems for the mining, rail, fleet and port facility industries. Its products are designed, manufactured and assembled at its factory in the Hunter.
Banlaw uses its key export product, FuelTrack™ to open the door to new customers. This unique system provides precise monitoring, reconciliation and centralised reporting of any machine or vehicle’s fuel or liquid use. It is currently installing FuelTrack™ in Indonesia’s largest mine.
In 2008/09 the value of Banlaw’s export sales increased by 162% on the previous year. Export sales are now 45% of total sales revenue. Banlaw exports to 25 countries including Indonesia, USA, United Kingdom and Germany.
Hunter Economic Development Corporation Upper Hunter Exporter of the Year:
YARRAMAN ESTATE
Contact: http://www.yarramanestate.com/ or 61 2 9922 5555
Yarraman Estate is the oldest Vineyard and Winery in the Upper Hunter. The Vineyards were first established in 1958 by Penfolds. More than $10 million has been spent since 1999 on a new winery and 150,000 case storage facility to boost the capacity of the winery.
Yarraman’s export strategy includes a dedicated export manager to develop long term relationships rather than one off sales. It customises products to the needs of individual markets.
Yarraman exports to 14 countries including Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, Poland, Germany, China, Singapore and Denmark. It is also negotiating entry into another six markets including Russia and India.
The company has this year expanded its product range to include an alcoholic cider.
Judges Special Award for Innovation:
QMastor
Contact: http://www.qmastor.com.au/61 2 4908 2222
QMastor Limited is a Newcastle based technology company which develops, markets and supports management information systems and associated services for the mining, port and bulk commodity industries.
The company has grown to include three other Australian offices as well as offices in San Diego and Johannesberg.
QMastor has experienced a 54% growth in export sales this year. It exports to a range of countries including South Africa, the USA, New Caledonia, New Zealand and Indonesia.
QMastor has made an $8 million research and development investment to enhance its cutting edge software portfolio. It says its innovative, award winning, software solutions help its customers get the right material to the right place at the right time, saving them money.
Judges Special Encouragement Awards
School of Integrated Body Therapy
The School is the largest speciality massage school in Australia and was established in 1985. We provide cutting edge bodywork and massage training courses with a focus on the latest hands-on therapy, techniques and skills. The School has been a major contributor to national training standards for massage in Australia, is a fully accredited, independent Registered Training Organisation and is accredited with four major professional associations. www.massageschool.com.au
Boat Speed Australia
The history of Boatspeed has centered on the building of high technology, high performance racing sailboats and the cruising yacht market. An attitude highlighting detail and accuracy has seen many successful racing campaigns begin at the Boatspeed company. http://www.boatspeed.com.au/
St Philip’s ChristianCollege
St Philip’s ChristianCollege began life over 25 years ago. They believe that education needs to be holistic in approach and professionally delivered. Students will be challenged through their academic, sporting and cultural programs in a supportive environment. They have a dedicated support team who will provide for the pastoral care and welfare needs of International students.They have five campuses in Newcastle, Port Stephens, Cessnock and Gosford with over 2300 students and 300 staff. http://www.spcc.nsw.edu.au/