For the first time in three years, the Hunter Manufacturing Awards (HMA) held a full gala event at NEX, Newcastle on Friday, 28th October. The event marked the 18th year of the HMA.
Jane Goldsmith of NBN steered the event flawlessly throughout the evening with 14 category awards up for grabs.
The event was opened with a very moving rendition of the Acknowledgement to Country with Brad Twynham playing the digeridoo.
Earthen Rhythms, Newcastle's leading African Drumming and Rhythm Events entertainment provided an exciting performance including interaction with guests.
Chair of HMA, Steven Smith referred to the theme of “Expect the Unexpected” and said “This could mean different things to different people. With respect to the manufacturing sector, manufacturers are building back fast despite significant headwinds. The extraordinary levels of business uncertainty in the past couple of years have honed our instincts to expect the unexpected, and manufacturers have consequently developed greater resilience to sustain their momentum and competitiveness.
HMA is here for the manufacturers in our Region – to support where possible and we invite them to use HMA as means to interact with other manufacturers and have their company profiled and promoted.”
Appreciation and thanks were extended to Downer, Major Sponsor for the 15th year and it was reiterated that without companies such as Downer, it would be difficult for HMA to continue to provide the recognition the region’s manufacturers deserve. Adam Williams, Head of Growth, Downer, addressed the guests.
Steven Smith continued – “The Hunter Manufacturing Awards would not exist without the commitment we have from our various sponsors, partners and supporters, some of which have been with us for many years and some more recently. We do not take that support for granted
Helloworld Business Travel, Newcastle, HMA’s Travel Partner, was thanked for their on-going support. Despite the turmoil encountered by the travel industry, helloworld Business Travel Newcastle has continued to be the Partner of the Incentive Prize which is a trip for 2 people to a capital city in Australia and all 2022 finalists had an opportunity to win the prize.
Winners of the Manufacturer of the Year Awards – 50 Employees or More Award and Less Than 50 Employees’ Award are both rewarded with an overseas trip to a country of their choice or a trip within Australia if preferred, to visit other companies, a trade fair or event that will enable their company to further their business or make important contacts in an endeavour to grow and develop their company.
2022 AWARD WINNERS (with judges’ comments)
- 2022 Manufacturer of the Year 50 employees or more AWARD
MITS ALLOY PTY LTD
MITS is an exciting Hunter Manufacturer that is rapidly establishing itself as the leading light in the target markets. They have successfully combined a great passion for what they do with the discipline and holistic development of their manufacturing systems to quickly build a reputation for quality and innovation. They are now building a strong overseas presence with the US particularly falling in love with their products. An inspiring winner of the MOTY > 50 employees for 2022.
- 2022 MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR LESS THAN 50 EMPLOYEES’ AWARD
SIRRON HOLDINGS GROUP
This Australian business demonstrates a resilient and flexible approach to compete and succeed on the world stage. Their submission reflected a well thought out business strategy supported by capital investment and key partnerships.
- 2022 APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR – MANUFACTURING
ALEX NIVISON – CHAMBERLAIN GROUP
The Hunter Manufacturing Awards Apprentice of the Year for 2022 is Alex Nivison. Alex was employed as an Apprentice in Engineering Mechanical with the Chamberlain Group in West Gosford. A strong passion for Mathematics and Engineering whilst at school led to him seeking employment in the engineering field. The apprenticeship with the Chamberlain Group soon proved a natural fit with Alex playing an integral part in a team that doubled the output of a robot assigned to a CNC machine. An outcome that won the "Kaizen individual Idea Award". Opportunities soon arose within the Chamberlain Group with Alex undertaking a Team Leader Role on the afternoon shift. As a leading hand and team leader he was able to put into practice the skills learnt during his apprenticeship. Away from work Alex was also able to put into practice his communication and organising skills. In 2019 during the drought Alex helped organised a fund raising appeal, raising $16,000 to assist families in rural NSW.
- 2022 RISING STAR AWARD
LUKE SASSE – HI VIS GROUP
The Hunter Manufacturing Rising Star winner for 2022 is Luke Sasse. Luke is employed by the Hi-Vis group in Carrington. In under 2 years Luke has progressed from Mechatronic Engineer to L.E.D Manager. Currently Luke is building the L.E.D team to more in-house designed and manufactured L.E.D products. This will mean bringing overseas L.E.D manufacturing back from China to be 100% made in the Hunter. Luke has been instrumental in several changes within Hi-vis structure. The Key driver in overhauling the sales process for L.E.D signage, Adopted and championed the business and safety policies within the L.E.D team. Luke used market intelligence and consultation with stakeholders to select the NSW School Zone Alert signs and the Fire Danger Rating signs which both are now in Prototyping phase. In addition to his Mechatronic Engineering Degree Luke has completed his MBA. Executive Data Science at Oxford and the Professional Certificate of Agile Project Management.
- Manufacturing Leader Award
BRUCE HEGAN – 4ID SOLUTIONS
Bruce is relentless as he finds ways to improve products and processes and remain competitive with the goal of being ahead of the market and his competitors as opposed to just following current industry trends. During the challenges associated with COVID Bruce and his team pivoted their customer base into new sectors such as healthcare, medical, warehousing and controlled substances and they were also able to secure a preferred supplier arrangement with a major US-based customer.
Bruce has a strong focus on people and is now coaching and mentoring the next generation of manufacturing leaders.
- Excellence in Sustainable Operations Award
LOOP ORGANICS
Loop Organics have emerged at the end of the long road of seeking regulatory approvals with a nutrient rich soil conditioner based upon sewage biosolids and waste cardboard. Key to the success of the product is that it is able to be used in many more applications than biosolids would historically have been approved for, particularly where close to populated areas.
- Collaboration Partnership Award
SIRRON HOLDINGS and CHESSER CHEMICALS
Sirron Holdings and partner Chesser Chemicals provide an outstanding example of a collaboration encompassed by a commercialisation strategy from its very commencement. It is a delight to see a collaboration with impatience to see real cash returns from sales for a nationally novel product, with development to export already occurring. This translates to immediate and sustainable manufacturing outcomes, and both parties should be congratulated on establishing maintaining sound business goals and imperative.
- Excellence in Innovation Award
SIRRON HOLDINGS
A great submission, well thought out, for a very successful car cleaning tablet resulting from a disciplined agile approach to innovation. Sirron Holdings are demonstrating dynamic innovation in practice.
- Excellence in Manufacturing Capability Award
ELECBRAKES
Elecbrakes were forced by supplier unreliability to take matters into their own hands and set up for manufacturing of components they'd previously bought in. They set up their own manufacturing line to produce the needed circuit boards and surface mounted devices. Meanwhile almost doubling productivity.
- Excellence in Building Workforce Capability for the Future Award
MORGAN ENGINEERING
This Australian business has successfully identified, targeted and developed their workforce capabilities. There were tangible productivity and business performance results achieved along with improved employee and customer satisfaction which reflect the clarity and focus of this initiative. Their submission reflected a well thought out and executed business strategy.
- EXCELLENCE IN PRODUCT DESIGN
SAFEGAUGE
SafeGauge’s “SafeTest - Dial Indicator” enables safer and more efficient inspections on heavy machinery. SafeGauge have shown what it takes to do product design well, the device is innovative and the design has been carefully refined to be simple to use. The judges were particularly impressed how a remote blue tooth controller takes the operator out of harm’s way, where traditionally the maintainer would be in close proximity of the moving equipment. With improvements in safety and dramatic reductions in maintenance tasks by up to 80%, we are confident the ‘SafeTest’ will be a huge success.
- OUTSTANDING START-UP AWARD
RESOURCEFUL LIVING
Founded in the middle of the pandemic, Resourceful Living's mission is to reduce and re-use plastic waste. They turn plastic from your yellow bin and industrial waste into furniture and common household items. The company has already recycled 10 tonnes of waste plastic and is a shining example of the circular economy in the Hunter. Resourceful Living ticks all the boxes proving that local manufacturing can have a strong impact on the local and global environment. Resourceful Livings commitment to Australian based manufacturing and a strong focus on environmental impact and the circular economy makes Resourceful Living a worthy winner in this category.
- EXCELLENCE IN MARKETING
SIRRON HOLDINGS
Sirron Holdings set out to reimagine Air Fresheners in what was seen as a boring and low margin product category. The product Whifft Air Fresheners includes scents such as Aussie Bush Walks and Strawberry Daiquiri. The company used traditional and non-traditional channels to market to their potential customer base that includes both B2C and B2B customers . The campaign resulted in significant sales in a very congested market including new export sales in New Zealand. The product also reached number one in their category on Amazon. The company has undoubtedly created a market disrupting product and has executed a seriously good marketing campaign. Sirron Holdings are worthy winners.
- Excellence in Export and Global SUPPLY CHAINS AWARD
HEDWELD GROUP
Hedweld’s Trilift range of component handling equipment has had significant export success. Currently Hedweld export to 35 countries, and have established agents/distributors in 9 countries.
Their export strategy is clearly articulated by the great explanation of how they reached export success by also reducing risk and cost, support from other agencies and groups over the years such as Austmine, Entrepreneurs Program in the past and export assistance grants, as well as hard work and commitment.
Over the last two financial years sales to South America increased by 575%. It was great to see how the challenges of export during reduce travel, international freight issues from Covid, and any perceived payment risk scenarios, were effectively overcome, including the development of online training packages for S America.
Challenges finding solutions in the domestic market were overcome by engaging strategies utilising HR and staff, and ensuring work life balance. Having an effective export team has been vital to Hedweld’s export success. Human elements can have a big influence on export operations and business performance as well.
