PREMIER AWARDS QUEENSLAND’S BEST EXPORTERS FOR 2006
Published Thursday, 12 October, 2006 at 09:29 PM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Gold Coast luxury boat builder Riviera Marine has been named Queensland Exporter of the Year at the Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards 2006 presented tonight.
Premier and Minister for Trade Peter Beattie congratulated overall winner Riviera Marine, the largest boat builder of its kind in Australia, for also winning the Large Advanced Manufacturer category award.
“Each year Riviera sells around 380 Flybridge Convertibles, Sport Cruisers and Sport Yachts in 30 countries around the world including the USA, Italy, Puerto Rico, France and Thailand,” Mr Beattie said.
“Riviera Marine’s Coomera boat-building facility is the biggest of its kind in the southern hemisphere and employs 1,200 highly skilled craftspeople, including 200 apprentices who are taught at an in-house training complex,” he said.
“The company started out more than 25 years ago and is today a great exporting success story.”
Beaudesert-based Barrier Reef Pools has won the Queensland Regional Exporter of the Year Award and was a finalist in the Emerging Exporter category.
The Premier said Barrier Reef Pools was one of Australia’s largest fibreglass pool manufacturers and distributors.
“Since starting out more than 20 years ago, the company has gone on to employ 100 staff at its Beaudesert site, and establish a network of more than 50 agents throughout Australia,” Mr Beattie said.
“The company’s swimming pools are in backyards all over the country.
“After discovering the pools were sought after internationally, Barrier Reef Pools opened up markets in the Middle East, the United States, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines.
“I congratulate all the winners, applicants and exporters across Queensland who are using their entrepreneurial skills, great products and business acumen to take on the exporting challenge.”
During the awards ceremony, Mr Beattie acknowledged Steve Irwin’s valuable contribution to promoting Queensland internationally.
“Steve Irwin made an enormous difference to this State and Australia by doing what he loved,” he said.
“The Crocodile Hunter Documentaries saw Australia Zoo exported to countries all around the world via the Discovery Channel.
“In 2004 the Australia Zoo at Beerwah won the Premier of Queensland’s Tourism Award and Steve also received a Special Award for Queenslanders for his significant contribution to the State’s international profile and our our export success.”
Mr Beattie commended the North Queensland region’s exporting community for their achievements in the aftermath of the devastating Cyclone Larry.
“The local businesses have shown outstanding determination to get back on their feet since Cyclone Larry,” he said.
“The Queensland Government had the opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of local business leaders through a special award given to Paronella Park at the Cairns Regional Export Award Ceremony. Paronella Park was re-opened just six weeks after Cyclone Larry, and welcomed both domestic and international tourists, thanks to the commitment of its owners and the community.”
Mr Beattie said Queensland generated more than $35 billion in merchandise export revenue in 2005-06 – an increase of 34% on the previous year.
“This means Queensland continues to have the fastest export growth in the nation,” he said.
“The Smart State is set to grow stronger through the Queensland Government’s new five-year strategy Driving Export Growth for Queensland which will assist overseas export growth and diversify the State’s export base into the future.
“The strategy will be rolled out across Queensland through a new Export Advisory Service to help local business realise their export goals.
“The Government will deliver a new export skills development program called Getting Export Smart, and we are expanding our overseas trade network.
“I encourage businesses to make the most of these initiatives to strengthen their foothold in the global marketplace.”
Winners of the 2006 Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards will automatically progress as national finalists into the Australian Export Awards 2006, to be held in November.
/ends
Attached: Full list of winners and contact details.
October 12, 2006
Media Contact – Premier’s Office 3224 4500
The Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards 2006 winners & finalists:
Agribusiness Award: Botanical Food Company Pty Ltd, Sunshine Coast. Contact: Craig Agnew, Chief Executive Officer, 07 5453 2217
Finalists: Suncoast Gold Macadamias (Australia) Ltd, Pacific Seeds Pty Ltd
Arts, Entertainment and Design Award: Cutting Edge, West End, Brisbane. Contact: Matthew Lawson, Director, 07 3013 6231
Finalists: Lumascape Lighting Industries Pty Ltd, Easton Pearson Pty Ltd
Education Award: James Cook University, Townsville. Contact: Stephanie Hunter, Business Development and Marketing Officer, 07 4781 4916
Finalists: Institute of Continuing and TESOL Education – The University of Queensland (ICTE-UQ), Central Queensland University
Information and Communications Technology Award: Mincom Ltd, Brisbane City. Contact: Stefanie Maragna, Marketing Manager, 07 3303 3333
Finalists: TechnologyOne, Amlink Technologies Pty Ltd
Large Advanced Manufacturer Award: Riviera Marine (Int) Pty Ltd, Coomera, Gold Coast. Contact: Denby Browning, Public Relations Manager, 07 5501 0024
Finalists: Heat and Control Pty Ltd, Ludowici MPE
Minerals and Energy Award: New Hope Coal Australia, Ipswich. Contact: Paul K Mantell, CFO & Company Secretary, 07 3810 0500
Finalists: Mitchell Drilling Contractors Pty Ltd, Sun Metals Corporation
Small to Medium Manufacturer Award: JKTech Pty Ltd, Indooroopilly, Brisbane. Contact: Dr Geoff Gault, Managing Director, 07 3365 5861
Finalists: NOJA Power Switchgear Pty Ltd, Lumascape Lighting Industries Pty Ltd
Services Award: Ausenco, Eight Mile Plains, Brisbane. Contact: Wayne Anderson, General Manager Business Development, 07 3112 8200
Finalists: Xstrata Technology Pty Ltd, Mincom Ltd
Sports, Events and Tourism Award: Oceanis Australia Pty Ltd, Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast. Contact: Martyn Baldwin, Manager Information Systems, 07 5444 8488
Finalists: Fantasea Cruises Pty Ltd, Sunferries Pty Ltd
Small/Micro Business Award: BSD Robotics, Acacia Ridge, Brisbane. Contact: Allan D Morrison, Chief Executive Officer, 07 3273 0273
Finalists: NOJA Power Switchgear Pty Ltd, Callidan Instruments Pty Ltd
Emerging Exporter Award: Ingeus, Brisbane City. Contact: Lesley Whitteker, Strategic Marketing Manager, 07 3405 9917
Finalists: Intellection Pty Ltd, Barrier Reef Pools Pty Ltd
Dermot McManus Award: Easton Pearson Pty Ltd, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. Contact: Philip Levy, Management Consultant, 07 3366 8299
Finalists: Callidan Instruments Pty Ltd, Xstrata Technology Pty Ltd
Queensland Regional Exporter of the Year Award: Barrier Reef Pools Pty Ltd, Beaudesert. Contact: Carlos Rodriguez, Financial Controller, 0411 153 784
Finalists: Callidan Instruments Pty Ltd, Pacific Seeds Pty Ltd
Queensland Exporter of the Year Award: Riviera Marine (Int) Pty Ltd, Coomera, Gold Coast. Contact: Denby Browning, Public Relations Manager, 07 5501 0024
Premier of Queensland’s Special Award: Easton Pearson Pty Ltd, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. Contact: Philip Levy, Management Consultant, 07 3366 8299
Premier and Minister for Trade Peter Beattie congratulated overall winner Riviera Marine, the largest boat builder of its kind in Australia, for also winning the Large Advanced Manufacturer category award.
“Each year Riviera sells around 380 Flybridge Convertibles, Sport Cruisers and Sport Yachts in 30 countries around the world including the USA, Italy, Puerto Rico, France and Thailand,” Mr Beattie said.
“Riviera Marine’s Coomera boat-building facility is the biggest of its kind in the southern hemisphere and employs 1,200 highly skilled craftspeople, including 200 apprentices who are taught at an in-house training complex,” he said.
“The company started out more than 25 years ago and is today a great exporting success story.”
Beaudesert-based Barrier Reef Pools has won the Queensland Regional Exporter of the Year Award and was a finalist in the Emerging Exporter category.
The Premier said Barrier Reef Pools was one of Australia’s largest fibreglass pool manufacturers and distributors.
“Since starting out more than 20 years ago, the company has gone on to employ 100 staff at its Beaudesert site, and establish a network of more than 50 agents throughout Australia,” Mr Beattie said.
“The company’s swimming pools are in backyards all over the country.
“After discovering the pools were sought after internationally, Barrier Reef Pools opened up markets in the Middle East, the United States, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines.
“I congratulate all the winners, applicants and exporters across Queensland who are using their entrepreneurial skills, great products and business acumen to take on the exporting challenge.”
During the awards ceremony, Mr Beattie acknowledged Steve Irwin’s valuable contribution to promoting Queensland internationally.
“Steve Irwin made an enormous difference to this State and Australia by doing what he loved,” he said.
“The Crocodile Hunter Documentaries saw Australia Zoo exported to countries all around the world via the Discovery Channel.
“In 2004 the Australia Zoo at Beerwah won the Premier of Queensland’s Tourism Award and Steve also received a Special Award for Queenslanders for his significant contribution to the State’s international profile and our our export success.”
Mr Beattie commended the North Queensland region’s exporting community for their achievements in the aftermath of the devastating Cyclone Larry.
“The local businesses have shown outstanding determination to get back on their feet since Cyclone Larry,” he said.
“The Queensland Government had the opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of local business leaders through a special award given to Paronella Park at the Cairns Regional Export Award Ceremony. Paronella Park was re-opened just six weeks after Cyclone Larry, and welcomed both domestic and international tourists, thanks to the commitment of its owners and the community.”
Mr Beattie said Queensland generated more than $35 billion in merchandise export revenue in 2005-06 – an increase of 34% on the previous year.
“This means Queensland continues to have the fastest export growth in the nation,” he said.
“The Smart State is set to grow stronger through the Queensland Government’s new five-year strategy Driving Export Growth for Queensland which will assist overseas export growth and diversify the State’s export base into the future.
“The strategy will be rolled out across Queensland through a new Export Advisory Service to help local business realise their export goals.
“The Government will deliver a new export skills development program called Getting Export Smart, and we are expanding our overseas trade network.
“I encourage businesses to make the most of these initiatives to strengthen their foothold in the global marketplace.”
Winners of the 2006 Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards will automatically progress as national finalists into the Australian Export Awards 2006, to be held in November.
/ends
Attached: Full list of winners and contact details.
October 12, 2006
Media Contact – Premier’s Office 3224 4500
The Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards 2006 winners & finalists:
Agribusiness Award: Botanical Food Company Pty Ltd, Sunshine Coast. Contact: Craig Agnew, Chief Executive Officer, 07 5453 2217
Finalists: Suncoast Gold Macadamias (Australia) Ltd, Pacific Seeds Pty Ltd
Arts, Entertainment and Design Award: Cutting Edge, West End, Brisbane. Contact: Matthew Lawson, Director, 07 3013 6231
Finalists: Lumascape Lighting Industries Pty Ltd, Easton Pearson Pty Ltd
Education Award: James Cook University, Townsville. Contact: Stephanie Hunter, Business Development and Marketing Officer, 07 4781 4916
Finalists: Institute of Continuing and TESOL Education – The University of Queensland (ICTE-UQ), Central Queensland University
Information and Communications Technology Award: Mincom Ltd, Brisbane City. Contact: Stefanie Maragna, Marketing Manager, 07 3303 3333
Finalists: TechnologyOne, Amlink Technologies Pty Ltd
Large Advanced Manufacturer Award: Riviera Marine (Int) Pty Ltd, Coomera, Gold Coast. Contact: Denby Browning, Public Relations Manager, 07 5501 0024
Finalists: Heat and Control Pty Ltd, Ludowici MPE
Minerals and Energy Award: New Hope Coal Australia, Ipswich. Contact: Paul K Mantell, CFO & Company Secretary, 07 3810 0500
Finalists: Mitchell Drilling Contractors Pty Ltd, Sun Metals Corporation
Small to Medium Manufacturer Award: JKTech Pty Ltd, Indooroopilly, Brisbane. Contact: Dr Geoff Gault, Managing Director, 07 3365 5861
Finalists: NOJA Power Switchgear Pty Ltd, Lumascape Lighting Industries Pty Ltd
Services Award: Ausenco, Eight Mile Plains, Brisbane. Contact: Wayne Anderson, General Manager Business Development, 07 3112 8200
Finalists: Xstrata Technology Pty Ltd, Mincom Ltd
Sports, Events and Tourism Award: Oceanis Australia Pty Ltd, Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast. Contact: Martyn Baldwin, Manager Information Systems, 07 5444 8488
Finalists: Fantasea Cruises Pty Ltd, Sunferries Pty Ltd
Small/Micro Business Award: BSD Robotics, Acacia Ridge, Brisbane. Contact: Allan D Morrison, Chief Executive Officer, 07 3273 0273
Finalists: NOJA Power Switchgear Pty Ltd, Callidan Instruments Pty Ltd
Emerging Exporter Award: Ingeus, Brisbane City. Contact: Lesley Whitteker, Strategic Marketing Manager, 07 3405 9917
Finalists: Intellection Pty Ltd, Barrier Reef Pools Pty Ltd
Dermot McManus Award: Easton Pearson Pty Ltd, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. Contact: Philip Levy, Management Consultant, 07 3366 8299
Finalists: Callidan Instruments Pty Ltd, Xstrata Technology Pty Ltd
Queensland Regional Exporter of the Year Award: Barrier Reef Pools Pty Ltd, Beaudesert. Contact: Carlos Rodriguez, Financial Controller, 0411 153 784
Finalists: Callidan Instruments Pty Ltd, Pacific Seeds Pty Ltd
Queensland Exporter of the Year Award: Riviera Marine (Int) Pty Ltd, Coomera, Gold Coast. Contact: Denby Browning, Public Relations Manager, 07 5501 0024
Premier of Queensland’s Special Award: Easton Pearson Pty Ltd, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. Contact: Philip Levy, Management Consultant, 07 3366 8299