CQ rescue device lighting the way

A Rockhampton company’s invention to improve safety during confined space rescues is one of 10 potential new products advancing to the marketplace, thanks to a Palaszczuk Government business program.

Minister for State Development Dr Anthony Lynham said Robert and Liz Stringer’s Highpoint Access and Rescue was one of 10 Queensland businesses being mentored under the new program.

“Highpoint’s integrated light-camera for confined spaces could become commercially viable and this mentoring will help them get their product to market and create more jobs,” Dr Lynham said.

“They are just one of 10 Queensland companies in the engineering, construction and resource sectors whose products have earned them a spot on a mentoring program.

“This is about getting innovative products off the drawing board and into the marketplace to support growth and jobs.”

Agriculture Minister and Member for Rockhampton Bill Byrne said it was great to see another Rockhampton business being helped by a Palaszczuk Government initiative.

“This business mentoring program is just one of the ways we are supporting our entrepreneurs to create job opportunities,” he said.

“It’s never easy to turn good ideas into profitable ventures, no matter how brilliant the concept and I’m very proud to be part of a government that recognises that even the best businesses can benefit from a helping hand.

“Our Advance Queensland philosophy is all about realising the potential of ideas.

“I’ll be taking a keen interest in this product.”

Leading engineering and professional services firm GHD is providing mentoring to the 10 companies over the next four to six months.

Mr Stringer invented the device to meet a demand identified through their High Point Access and Rescue business, which employs 12 staff at their Glenmore Road premises.

The first stage of the mentoring program includes business analysis and fact finding workshops, research and market analysis, strategies, identifying anticipated outcomes and opportunities across industries, geographies, markets and clients and documenting the next steps to commercialise the innovations.

Four participants will advance to a second, more intensive stage of the program by May. It focuses on developing industry partnerships and achieving longer-term outcomes.

“When the participating companies leave the program by July they will have important market insights and information and directions they need to get their product to market,” Dr Lynham said.

Other successful applicants are:

Brisbane

• Scout Aerial Media & Surveying Pty Ltd, for an aerial sensor for gas detection and sampling
• Q-Cool Pty Ltd, for a revolutionary re-engineered air conditioning solution
• Strusol Pty Ltd, for a cost saving building system utilising pre-cast concrete construction
• Red Button Group, for a real-time performance management and data collection system for productive mining assets
• George’s Loader Hire Pty Ltd,  for an electronically controlled height detection system for heavy machinery
• kkooee.com, for a global crowd sourcing marketplace for engineering services  

Mackay

• WMMC Pty Ltd, for a robotic scanner for marine infrastructure

Sunshine Coast

• Aluminium Balustrades North Coast Pty Ltd, for a highly efficient frameless modular balustrade system

Gold Coast

• CadTech Australia Pty Ltd,  for a new drawing document management platform

ENDS

Media inquiries: Jan Martin 0439 341 314