MEAT PROCESSORS TOP THE 2007 QUEENSLAND 400 BUSINESS PERFORMERS

* EMBARGOED UNTIL 5.00PM THURSDAY 23 AUGUST 2007 *

Meat processing companies are the top business performers in the state according to the new 2007 Queensland 400 list announced today.

Teys Bros, based at Beenleigh and which exports 85 per cent of its products, is number one on the list, followed by Australian Country Choice which has its headquarters at Murarrie. Third place is held by the Wynnum-based BMD Property and Construction Group.

The top three companies all won a 2007 Q400 Award for their achievements.

The announcement was made this afternoon by Minister for State Development John Mickel who launched the official 2007 Q400 list and awarded the prestigious Q400 Awards at the close of the Q400 Business Summit at the Griffith University Conservatorium, South Bank.

Mr Mickel also congratulated organisers of the event, The Queensland Business Review.

“Today has been all about recognising business excellence and the 2007 Queensland 400 survey demonstrates there is plenty to celebrate when it comes to doing business in the Smart State,” Mr Mickel said.

“The really exciting outcome here is that the Queensland 400 is forecasting revenue growth of at least 13.71 percent – and as high as 27.97 percent – this financial year.

“That’s an enormous expression of faith by our State’s leading private companies. They expect buoyant economic conditions to continue and this is a view the Queensland Government wholeheartedly embraces.”

Mr Mickel said the 2007 Queensland 400 survey also revealed that Queensland’s property and construction, mining, car retailing, travel and tourism, and transport businesses are all experiencing stunning growth.

“Queensland is going gangbusters. Our economic, population and employment growth all exceed the national average and the results of the 2007 Q400 survey reflect this sentiment.

“The Q400 Business Summit underpins the Department of State Development’s major goal ‘to make smart industries bigger, and big industries smarter’ which is why we have been pleased to provide support to the event since its inception five years ago.”

Mr Mickel said the strongest growth predicted is for Brisbane companies. The 76 Q400 companies from Brisbane City anticipate revenue growth of 18.85 percent and full time staff to jump by 13.01 percent.

And the 41 Q400 businesses located on the Gold Coast are projecting revenue to expand by 15.2 percent and employment by 11.94 percent.

“It’s good news elsewhere too. The 181 companies from the greater Brisbane region are projecting revenue growth of 13.02 percent and an 8.73 percent increase in employment,” Mr Mickel said.

“While to the north, Queensland 400 members from the Sunshine Coast and the Wide Bay and Burnett area are also looking forward to strong growth in revenue and employment.”

Mr Mickel said that property and development groups performed particularly well on the 2007 Q400 list. Apart from the BMD Group, they include Indigo Projects (20 to 7), GHD (22 to 17), Evans Harch (47 to 28), Lost City Constructions (85 to 45), TF Woollam (69 to 53), Retracom (91 to 68), McNab Constructions (93 to 72), McCosker Contracting (116 to 93), Northbuild Construction (135 to 118), Moggill Constructions (170 to 139) and North Surveys (297 to 255).

“There are also 31 new entrants in the 2007 Q400. These include, the Ingles Group (35), The Outdoor Furniture Specialists (78), Digga Australia (90), Suncoast Gold Macadamias (99), and Zarraffa’s Coffee (318),” Mr Mickel said.

The winners of the 2007 Q400 Awards are:
• Manufacturer: Teys Bros
• Agribusiness: Australian Country Choice
• Property and Construction: BMD Group
• Retailer: Freedom Fuels
• Wholesaler: JK International
• Transport and Storage: Hawkins Road Transport
• ICT: Mincom
• Tourism and Hospitality: Apollo Motorhomes
• Business and Personal Services: Ingeus
• Rising Star: Charlton Brown and Freedom Fuels
• Highest New Entry: Ingles Group


Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784

Queensland Business Review contact: Mitch Gaynor, Managing Editor 3854 2516