Top export honours for Queensland companies

A Brisbane-based company, whose pole-mounted voltage switchgear products are now used worldwide, has been named Queensland Exporter of the Year 2007.

Premier Anna Bligh congratulated NOJA Power Switchgear, which outperformed 11 other category winners to take the top prize, at the Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards presentation ceremony held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre tonight.

Ms Bligh said NOJA Power, also awarded winner of the Small to Medium Manufacturer Award, is again proof that Queensland has moved beyond rocks and crops when it comes to exports.

“NOJA Power, which make switchgear products for utilities companies that can detect power interruption and restore it in seconds, has in just five years grown from a start-up manufacturer to employing some 50 people with a turnover of around $15 million a year,” she said.

“Today NOJA is actively selling in more than 40 countries and their products and services have a reputation of high reliability, leading edge technology and long life,” she said.

Toowoomba-based Russell Mineral Equipment (RME) scooped the Queensland Regional Exporter of the Year Award.

Premier Bligh said RME, a specialist mining technology company, has built a global reputation for supplying unique, custom-made mineral grinding and mill relining processing technologies.

“When RME's founder, John Russell, started his mineral engineering business more than two decades ago, the annual sales were just $12 000, but today the company sells millions of dollars worth of mining solutions worldwide,” Ms Bligh said.

She said RME equipment is now used in most world mining markets including Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Ghana, Canada, USA, Chile, Argentina and Tanzania.

Ms Bligh said Queensland companies, such as NOJA and RME, have demonstrated an outstanding dedication to their industry, combined with a high-level of innovation and ability to adapt.

“The Queensland Government wants to recognise the contribution of small and medium sized (SME) companies to our ongoing success stories. The SME sector is in many ways the backbone of our economy, as it is of almost all economies.”

Premier Bligh also congratulated the other Export Awards category winners and finalists.

Minister for Trade John Mickel applauded the internationally-minded businesses that capture and exploit opportunities in the global marketplace.

“You are outstanding examples of the world-class exporters we have here in Queensland and deserve to be recognised for the contribution you make to the State economy,” he said.

Mr Mickel said the Queensland Government is committed to helping exporters succeed through its programs and services, and aims to inspire innovation, encourage entrepreneurship, and build sustainable communities.

The Export Awards program, now in its 18^th year, is a very public way of recognising and celebrating the success of outstanding exporters, who make a valuable contribution to the growth and development of the Queensland economy.

Winners of the 2007 Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards will automatically progress as national finalists into the Australian Export Awards 2007, to be held on 22 November in Brisbane.

For more information visit www.export.qld.gov.au

Media contact: Premier’s Office (07) 3224 4500

The Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards 2007 winners and finalists:

Queensland Exporter of the Year Award: NOJA Power Switchgear Pty Ltd, Contact: Neil O’Sullivan, Managing Director, (07) 3907 8777, www.nojapower.com.au

Regional Exporter of the Year Award: Russell Mineral Equipment, Contact: Lisa Lee, PA to Managing Director, (07) 4698 9100, www.rmeaus.com

Finalists: Pacific Seeds Pty Ltd, Xstrata Mount Isa Mines

Agribusiness Award: Pacific Seeds Pty Ltd, Contact:Nic Habgood, Office Manager, (07) 4690 2666, www.pacificseeds.com

Finalists: Botanical Food Company Pty Ltd, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks Pty Ltd

Arts, Entertainment and Design Award: Cutting Edge Post Pty Ltd, Contact: Matthew Lawson, Director, (07) 3013 6222, www.cuttingedge.com.au

Finalists: Warner Roadshow Studios, Digital Dimensions

Education Award: James Cook University, Contact:Ailsa Lamont, Director – International, (07) 4781 5601, www.jcu.edu.au

Finalists: Education Queensland International, Gold Coast Institute of TAFE

Emerging Exporter Award: Vigil Systems Pty Ltd, Contact: Renee Luk, Marketing Coordinator, (07) 3018 0478, www.vigilsystems.com

Finalists: Envirosax Pty Ltd, eeni meeni miini moh, Firewire Ltd

Information and Communications Technology Award: Mincom Ltd, Contact: Stefanie Maragna, Marketing Manager – Asia Pacific, (07) 3303 3333, www.mincom.com

Finalists: Runge Ltd, Intellection Pty Ltd

Large Advanced Manufacturer Award: Xstrata Technology Pty Ltd, Contact: Brenton Burford, Senior IP Coordinator, (07) 3833 8500, www.xstratatech.com
Finalists: Industrea Ltd, Heat and Control Pty Ltd

Minerals and Energy Award: Xstrata Mount Isa Mines, Contact: Contact: Melaine Edgar, Manager Community Relations, (07) 4744 2011, www.xstrata.com/corporate/commodities/copper

Finalists: BHP Billiton Cannington Mine, Sun Metals Corporation Pty Ltd

Services Award: Runge Ltd, Contact: Linda Young, Global Communications Manager, (07) 3100 7200, www.runge.com

Finalists: Ingeus Ltd, JKTech Pty Ltd

Small Business Award: Callidan Instruments Pty Ltd, Contact: Ben Faa, General Manager, (07) 4955 5966, www.callidan.com

Finalists: Auran Games, Vigil Systems Pty Ltd

Small to Medium Manufacturer Award: NOJA Power Switchgear Pty Ltd, Contact: Neil O’Sullivan, Managing Director, (07) 3907 8777, www.nojapower.com.au

Finalists: Russell Mineral Equipment Pty Ltd, Intellection Pty Ltd

Sports, Events and Tourism Award: Magic Millions Sales Pty Ltd, Contact: Sean Walker, Business Manager, (07) 5538 8933, www.magicmillions.com.au

Finalists: Fantasea Cruises Pty Ltd, Fraser Island Company

Premier’s Special Award: The Late Honourable Tom Burns AO

Richard Joel Young Export Entrepreneur Award: Mr Mark Bathie, Bathie Enterprises Pty Ltd, 0412 490 841, www.cvsdude.com

Dermot McManus Award: Intellection Pty Ltd, Contact: Jolene Alfred, Marketing Communications Manager, (07) 3512 9100, www.intellectioncorp.com.au