Published Thursday, 07 June, 2007 at 11:00 PM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
SMART SURFBOARD MAKER SHINES AT STATE AWARDS
A Burleigh company riding a wave of success with its high-tech surfboards has been named one of Queensland’s smartest and exciting new firms.
Premier Peter Beattie tonight congratulated Firewire Surfboards for winning the Rising Star category at the Premier of Queensland’s Smart Awards 2007 gala dinner at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
“Firewire is using fibre composite technology, not fibreglass, to manufacture the next generation of surfboards that are more environmentally friendly, flexible, durable and lighter than traditional models,” Mr Beattie said.
“The Rising Star category recognises the outstanding achievements of organisations with less than four years operating experience, and Firewire is a great example of a new firm succeeding through great products and smart management.”
Firewire, formerly Nev Future Shapes, began in early 2006 as a small surfboard-shaping and retail store on the Gold Coast with a staff of 17 producing 10 boards a week.
“Now employing around 100 people around the world, Firewire is using cutting edge robotic equipment to make more than 300 boards a week in a new purpose-built factory on the Gold Coast,” Mr Beattie said.
“And earlier this year I congratulated the innovative firm for securing its largest export order to date – 1,400 boards worth more than $700,000 to the large and lucrative US market.”
Australian surfer Taj Burrows rides Firewire surfboards on the international surfing circuit and the company boasts Michael ‘Munga’ Barry, local surfing celebrity and world renowned pro surfer, as one of its expert board shapers and testers.
“It’s clear Firewire’s innovative technology and clever automated manufacturing processes, coupled with business prowess and passion, is a winning combination,” Mr Beattie said.
Mr Beattie said the Smart Awards, now in their fifth year, continued to reward innovative Queenslanders who have come up with bright ideas to make their companies more competitive.
“Again this year, the quality of entries was outstanding and I thank all applicants for their participation in the event.”
Full list of winners and finalists in the 2007 Premier of Queensland’s Smart Awards follows:
Food and Agribusiness
• Winner – Oakey Abattoir Pty Ltd, Oakey (4691 1277)
• Finalists – Di Bella Coffee, Bowen Hills (3252 5858); Australian Country Choice, Morningside (3902 4141)
Large Manufacturing or Mining
• Winner – Ludowici MPE, Banyo (3292 4444)
• Finalists – Easternwell Group, Toowoomba (4659 1555); Dingo Australia, Dalby (4672 5400); Rio Tinto Aluminium, Brisbane (3867 1698)
Rising Star
• Winner – Firewire Limited, Burleigh (5587 7700)
• Finalists – Broadcast GP, Milton (1300 761 956) ; Grabba International Pty Ltd, Coopers Plains (3344 6599)
Science Innovation and Technology
• Winner – Mincom Ltd, Brisbane (3303 3716)
• Finalists – Biolytix Technologies Pty Ltd, Maleny (5435 2700); Micreo Limited, Eight Mile Plains (3340 6245)
Services
• Winner – Brisbane Airport Corporation Pty Ltd, Hamilton Centre (3406 5702)
• Finalists – Signmanager Pty Ltd, Milton (3876 2411); Mincom Ltd, Brisbane (3303 3716)
Small to Medium Manufacturing and Mining
• Winner – BSD Robotics, Acacia Ridge (3273 0273)
• Finalists – Fibre King Pty Ltd, Clontarf (3889 4400); JKTech Pty Ltd, Indooroopilly (3365 5842); Platypus Graphics, Stafford (3352 0300)
Smart Award of the Year
• Winner – Mincom Ltd, Brisbane (3303 3716)
Media Contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500
7 June 2007
Premier Peter Beattie tonight congratulated Firewire Surfboards for winning the Rising Star category at the Premier of Queensland’s Smart Awards 2007 gala dinner at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
“Firewire is using fibre composite technology, not fibreglass, to manufacture the next generation of surfboards that are more environmentally friendly, flexible, durable and lighter than traditional models,” Mr Beattie said.
“The Rising Star category recognises the outstanding achievements of organisations with less than four years operating experience, and Firewire is a great example of a new firm succeeding through great products and smart management.”
Firewire, formerly Nev Future Shapes, began in early 2006 as a small surfboard-shaping and retail store on the Gold Coast with a staff of 17 producing 10 boards a week.
“Now employing around 100 people around the world, Firewire is using cutting edge robotic equipment to make more than 300 boards a week in a new purpose-built factory on the Gold Coast,” Mr Beattie said.
“And earlier this year I congratulated the innovative firm for securing its largest export order to date – 1,400 boards worth more than $700,000 to the large and lucrative US market.”
Australian surfer Taj Burrows rides Firewire surfboards on the international surfing circuit and the company boasts Michael ‘Munga’ Barry, local surfing celebrity and world renowned pro surfer, as one of its expert board shapers and testers.
“It’s clear Firewire’s innovative technology and clever automated manufacturing processes, coupled with business prowess and passion, is a winning combination,” Mr Beattie said.
Mr Beattie said the Smart Awards, now in their fifth year, continued to reward innovative Queenslanders who have come up with bright ideas to make their companies more competitive.
“Again this year, the quality of entries was outstanding and I thank all applicants for their participation in the event.”
Full list of winners and finalists in the 2007 Premier of Queensland’s Smart Awards follows:
Food and Agribusiness
• Winner – Oakey Abattoir Pty Ltd, Oakey (4691 1277)
• Finalists – Di Bella Coffee, Bowen Hills (3252 5858); Australian Country Choice, Morningside (3902 4141)
Large Manufacturing or Mining
• Winner – Ludowici MPE, Banyo (3292 4444)
• Finalists – Easternwell Group, Toowoomba (4659 1555); Dingo Australia, Dalby (4672 5400); Rio Tinto Aluminium, Brisbane (3867 1698)
Rising Star
• Winner – Firewire Limited, Burleigh (5587 7700)
• Finalists – Broadcast GP, Milton (1300 761 956) ; Grabba International Pty Ltd, Coopers Plains (3344 6599)
Science Innovation and Technology
• Winner – Mincom Ltd, Brisbane (3303 3716)
• Finalists – Biolytix Technologies Pty Ltd, Maleny (5435 2700); Micreo Limited, Eight Mile Plains (3340 6245)
Services
• Winner – Brisbane Airport Corporation Pty Ltd, Hamilton Centre (3406 5702)
• Finalists – Signmanager Pty Ltd, Milton (3876 2411); Mincom Ltd, Brisbane (3303 3716)
Small to Medium Manufacturing and Mining
• Winner – BSD Robotics, Acacia Ridge (3273 0273)
• Finalists – Fibre King Pty Ltd, Clontarf (3889 4400); JKTech Pty Ltd, Indooroopilly (3365 5842); Platypus Graphics, Stafford (3352 0300)
Smart Award of the Year
• Winner – Mincom Ltd, Brisbane (3303 3716)
Media Contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500
7 June 2007