ON FIRE: FIREWIRE’S SURFBOARDS HIT THE LOCAL MARKET
Published Friday, 08 June, 2007 at 01:00 PM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Business for Gold Coast surfboard manufacturer Firewire is about to get a whole lot hotter.
After last night winning a prestigious Premier of Queensland’s Smart Award, this morning the company launched its world-class surfboards onto the Australian retail market.
Firewire was named Queensland’s Rising Star at the Smart Awards Gala Dinner, held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre last night.
Minister for State Development John Mickel said the Smart Awards reward companies that demonstrate the business know-how and tenacity to turn a smart idea into a reality.
“The Rising Star category recognises the outstanding achievements of organisations with fewer than four years operating experience, and Firewire is a great example of a new firm succeeding through great products and smart management,” Mr Mickel said.
“They’re using state-of-the-art fibre composite technology to manufacture the next generation of surfboards that are more environmentally friendly, flexible, durable and lighter than traditional models.
“Earlier this year the Premier congratulated the innovative firm for securing its largest export order to date – 1,400 boards worth more than $700,000 to the lucrative US market.
“Since then, Firewire has sent approximately 7,000 boards and expects to send between 15,000 and 20,000 boards this year worth an estimated $10 million to the USA, further highlighting the reputation these boards command.”
In early 2006, Firewire, formerly Nev Future Shapes, was a small surfboard-shaping and retail store on the Gold Coast with a staff of 17 producing 10 boards a week.
The company now employs almost 100 people around the world and is using cutting edge robotic equipment to make upwards of 500 boards a week in a new purpose-built manufacturing facility on the Gold Coast.
“It’s clear Firewire’s innovative technology and clever manufacturing processes, coupled with their business prowess and passion, make for a winning combination,” Mr Mickel said.
Minister Mickel joined Firewire today on the beach at Burleigh Heads for the unveiling of their first retail surfboard for the Australian market.
Firewire chief executive officer David Cross said the company’s move into the Australian market had come earlier than expected.
“We hadn’t planned to supply to the Australian market until November – in time for the Australian summer,” Mr Cross said.
“But we’ve been inundated with requests from Australian surfers to start supplying our boards.
“The demand is huge - we’ve had a waiting list since February last year when we started our Future Shapes boards.
“So we’re confident we’ll have an 80 per cent sell through in the first month of sale. In fact some stores have been forced to take customer deposits in advance of supply, just to manage the high levels of interest."
Minister Mickel today presented Firewire’s first Australian retail surfboard to the company’s first Gold Coast retailer, Brothers Neilson.
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Company contact: David Cross, Chief Executive Officer, 5587 7700
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784
After last night winning a prestigious Premier of Queensland’s Smart Award, this morning the company launched its world-class surfboards onto the Australian retail market.
Firewire was named Queensland’s Rising Star at the Smart Awards Gala Dinner, held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre last night.
Minister for State Development John Mickel said the Smart Awards reward companies that demonstrate the business know-how and tenacity to turn a smart idea into a reality.
“The Rising Star category recognises the outstanding achievements of organisations with fewer than four years operating experience, and Firewire is a great example of a new firm succeeding through great products and smart management,” Mr Mickel said.
“They’re using state-of-the-art fibre composite technology to manufacture the next generation of surfboards that are more environmentally friendly, flexible, durable and lighter than traditional models.
“Earlier this year the Premier congratulated the innovative firm for securing its largest export order to date – 1,400 boards worth more than $700,000 to the lucrative US market.
“Since then, Firewire has sent approximately 7,000 boards and expects to send between 15,000 and 20,000 boards this year worth an estimated $10 million to the USA, further highlighting the reputation these boards command.”
In early 2006, Firewire, formerly Nev Future Shapes, was a small surfboard-shaping and retail store on the Gold Coast with a staff of 17 producing 10 boards a week.
The company now employs almost 100 people around the world and is using cutting edge robotic equipment to make upwards of 500 boards a week in a new purpose-built manufacturing facility on the Gold Coast.
“It’s clear Firewire’s innovative technology and clever manufacturing processes, coupled with their business prowess and passion, make for a winning combination,” Mr Mickel said.
Minister Mickel joined Firewire today on the beach at Burleigh Heads for the unveiling of their first retail surfboard for the Australian market.
Firewire chief executive officer David Cross said the company’s move into the Australian market had come earlier than expected.
“We hadn’t planned to supply to the Australian market until November – in time for the Australian summer,” Mr Cross said.
“But we’ve been inundated with requests from Australian surfers to start supplying our boards.
“The demand is huge - we’ve had a waiting list since February last year when we started our Future Shapes boards.
“So we’re confident we’ll have an 80 per cent sell through in the first month of sale. In fact some stores have been forced to take customer deposits in advance of supply, just to manage the high levels of interest."
Minister Mickel today presented Firewire’s first Australian retail surfboard to the company’s first Gold Coast retailer, Brothers Neilson.
______________________________________
Company contact: David Cross, Chief Executive Officer, 5587 7700
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784