Published Friday, 23 November, 2007 at 04:44 PM

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel

Small Mackay business wins big at national export awards

Minister for Trade John Mickel has congratulated a Mackay-based company for winning a top honour at the prestigious 2007 Australian Export Awards.

Last night in Brisbane, Callidan Instruments was named as one of Australia’s top exporters, winning the Small Business Award.

“They have done Queensland and the nation proud,’’ Mr Mickel said.

Callidan Instruments has achieved dramatic business and export success by providing cutting-edge technology at an affordable price.

“This small business is currently making a big impact worldwide with its premier product, Moistscan, an online microwave analyser which assesses the level of moisture in everything from minerals and food to pharmaceuticals’’ he said.

Callidan’s state-of the-art product is exported worldwide, including to India, China, South Korea, Japan, South Africa, and the US. Mining giants BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto are among Callidan’s local clients.

Mr Mickel said there are quite a number of regional companies that exemplify Queensland manufacturing sector’s capacity to deliver quality products to the global industry.

“Callidan is once again proof that a regional base is no barrier to global success.’’

Queensland companies are renowned for being innovative and proactive in driving the nation’s exports.

Mr Mickel said Callidan was a great role model for Queensland’s business community and would help to pave the way for the Smart State’s future export success.

“Exports are not only one of the best ways to create more jobs for Queenslanders, but a way to create good jobs because it takes a highly skilled and innovative workforce to make internationally competitive products,’’ Mr Mickel said.

”The Smart State is increasingly exporting value-added goods and services, and fostering exports from knowledge-based industries.’’

The Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards winners and finalists were announced on Thursday, 25 October. Details are available at www.export.qld.gov.au

Details about the Australian Export Awards at www.exportawards.gov.au

Media contact: Chris Brown (07) 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir 3235 4060

November 23, 2007