HIGH-TECH QUEENSLAND SURFBOARDS TO TAKE ON USA MARKET
Published Tuesday, 27 February, 2007 at 03:00 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
A Gold Coast company behind a new breed of high-tech surfboards is about to make its biggest splash yet in the world’s most lucrative surfing market – the USA, Premier and Minister for Trade Peter Beattie has announced.
Mr Beattie visited Firewire Surfboards at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast today to congratulate the company on securing its largest export order to date – 1400 boards worth more than $700,000.
“Making surfboards for the huge US market is a real feather-in-the-cap for Queensland and a signal to established markets around the world that the Smart State is on the move,” Mr Beattie said.
“Firewire’s smart manufacturing processes have helped it almost quadruple its manufacturing capacity in less than six months, now producing 300 boards a week,” he said. “That figure is expected to rise to 400 very soon.”
Firewire is working closely with the Department of State Development and Invest Queensland to nurture its business growth. It has received a $30,000 Queensland Industry Development Scheme grant to develop its manufacturing strengths, with State Development Minister John Mickel opening its new headquarters on the coast last year.
“Not long after, the company secured its first US order of 600 boards,” Mr Beattie said.
“With State Government support the company has gone from strength-to-strength – a clear sign the team is on track to become the largest manufacturer of surfboards in the southern hemisphere.”
Mr Beattie said Firewire’s success was also about innovation, with its boards made from a fibre composite material that meant they were more environmentally friendly, flexible, durable and lighter than traditional fibreglass boards.
“By using specially-developed robotic technology, Firewire boards are also manufactured more cost effectively and in less than half the time of the old traditional boards,” he said.
“At full capacity, Firewire could be producing some 20,000 surfboards for the hungry world market in the next year.”
Mr Mickel said another big plus for the local company was its export growth has created more jobs for Queenslanders.
“Since opening its Gold Coast headquarters last September, Firewire has already increased its staff from 12 to more than 40,” Mr Mickel said.
Firewire board members and shareholders include former Billabong Chief Executive Matthew Perrin, ex-Billabong General Manager Dougall Walker, golfers Adam Scott and Ian Baker-Finch, and Gold Coast surfboard builder Nev Hyman.
Ranked number four in the world, Australian surfer Taj Burrows rides Firewire surfboards in the international surfing circuit including the Quicksilver Pro which started on the Gold Coast yesterday.
Firewire boasts Michael “Munga” Barry – local surfing celebrity and world renowned pro surfer – as one of its expert board shapers and testers.
“Firewire illustrates perfectly how good it is to be in business in Queensland,” Mr Mickel said.
“Our economy is the envy of other states, employment is up, business confidence is up and our Smart State reputation continues to grow,” he said.
“Where else would you rather be than in Queensland.”
Media Contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Minister’s Office 3224 6784
Mr Beattie visited Firewire Surfboards at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast today to congratulate the company on securing its largest export order to date – 1400 boards worth more than $700,000.
“Making surfboards for the huge US market is a real feather-in-the-cap for Queensland and a signal to established markets around the world that the Smart State is on the move,” Mr Beattie said.
“Firewire’s smart manufacturing processes have helped it almost quadruple its manufacturing capacity in less than six months, now producing 300 boards a week,” he said. “That figure is expected to rise to 400 very soon.”
Firewire is working closely with the Department of State Development and Invest Queensland to nurture its business growth. It has received a $30,000 Queensland Industry Development Scheme grant to develop its manufacturing strengths, with State Development Minister John Mickel opening its new headquarters on the coast last year.
“Not long after, the company secured its first US order of 600 boards,” Mr Beattie said.
“With State Government support the company has gone from strength-to-strength – a clear sign the team is on track to become the largest manufacturer of surfboards in the southern hemisphere.”
Mr Beattie said Firewire’s success was also about innovation, with its boards made from a fibre composite material that meant they were more environmentally friendly, flexible, durable and lighter than traditional fibreglass boards.
“By using specially-developed robotic technology, Firewire boards are also manufactured more cost effectively and in less than half the time of the old traditional boards,” he said.
“At full capacity, Firewire could be producing some 20,000 surfboards for the hungry world market in the next year.”
Mr Mickel said another big plus for the local company was its export growth has created more jobs for Queenslanders.
“Since opening its Gold Coast headquarters last September, Firewire has already increased its staff from 12 to more than 40,” Mr Mickel said.
Firewire board members and shareholders include former Billabong Chief Executive Matthew Perrin, ex-Billabong General Manager Dougall Walker, golfers Adam Scott and Ian Baker-Finch, and Gold Coast surfboard builder Nev Hyman.
Ranked number four in the world, Australian surfer Taj Burrows rides Firewire surfboards in the international surfing circuit including the Quicksilver Pro which started on the Gold Coast yesterday.
Firewire boasts Michael “Munga” Barry – local surfing celebrity and world renowned pro surfer – as one of its expert board shapers and testers.
“Firewire illustrates perfectly how good it is to be in business in Queensland,” Mr Mickel said.
“Our economy is the envy of other states, employment is up, business confidence is up and our Smart State reputation continues to grow,” he said.
“Where else would you rather be than in Queensland.”
Media Contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Minister’s Office 3224 6784