From start-ups and apprentices to global exporters and century-old innovators, the 2025 Hunter Manufacturing Awards (HMA) celebrated a sector on the rise, one that built the industries, technologies, and jobs of Australia’s future. In a first for the program, HMA introduced a Diversity in Manufacturing category, with Morgan Engineering named the inaugural winner at the gala held on Thursday, 30 October 2025 at Newcastle Exhibition & Convention Centre (NEX).
The new award recognised businesses and individuals that demonstrated a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in manufacturing. It celebrated initiatives that created inclusive workplaces, improved accessibility, and built diverse talent pipelines, while contributing to broader community engagement. Efforts included support for underrepresented groups such as women, Indigenous Australians, culturally and linguistically diverse individuals, people with disabilities, neurodivergent employees, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
General Manager, Jeremy Brett said the recognition reflected Morgan Engineering’s focus on building an inclusive workforce that strengthened capability across the region.
“We are proud to be recognised in the first year of the Diversity in Manufacturing award,” Jeremy said. “This acknowledgement is about the people who power our business and our industry. When teams feel welcome, safe, and supported to contribute, we deliver better outcomes for our customers and the community.”
HMA Chair Jacqui Daley said the awards drew a record number of entries, more than 50% up on last year, showcasing the ingenuity, craftsmanship, and courage that continue to define manufacturing across the Hunter, Central Coast, Mid North Coast, and New England.
“Manufacturing in the Hunter is more diverse, more advanced, and more connected to the world than ever before,” Ms Daley said. Our 2025 Manufacturer of the Year winners, Brain Industries and Agrana Fruit Australia, both have export at the heart of their success. They’re taking the Hunter to the world and proving that regional manufacturers can compete, and succeed, on the international stage.”
“We’re seeing extraordinary things being made right here, from Elecbrakes revolutionising towing technology through Australian-made automation, to Supacell turning everyday recyclables into sustainable insulation, and from Tomago Aluminium’s digital transformation to Design Anthology’s advanced med-tech design.”
“Manufacturing isn’t sitting quietly behind the scenes anymore. It’s the backbone of our economy, the engine of regional jobs, and the platform that will power Australia’s next great leaps in clean energy, defence capability, health, and technology.”
Major winners included:
- Manufacturer of the Year (under 50 employees): Brain Industries – recognised for
- strong export performance, innovation, and workforce engagement.
- Manufacturer of the Year (50 or more employees): Agrana Fruit Australia – awarded
- for high-quality production, innovation, and export growth.
- Hall of Fame Inductee: Varley Group – honoured for its extraordinary contribution to the
- Hunter manufacturing landscape and nearly 140 years of continuous innovation across defence, emergency services, marine, health, cyber, and more.
Category winners for 2025:
- Apprentice of the Year: Nicole Clifton – Regal Rexnord and HunterNet Career Connections
- Outstanding Start-Up: Australian Electric Vehicle Specialists
- Excellence in Export & Global Supply Chains: Banlaw
- Rising Star: Brandon Lane – Elecbrakes
- Excellence in Marketing: Classic Blinds & Shutters
- Excellence in Product Design: SafeGauge – Push Rod and MultiTool Pro
- Excellence in Innovation: Design Anthology
- Excellence in Manufacturing Capability: Elecbrakes
- Collaboration Partnership Award: SupaCell (iQRenew & Four Seasons Industries)
- Diversity in Manufacturing: Morgan Engineering
- Excellence in Sustainability: Downer Rail & Transit Systems
- Digital Transformation: Jaegersoft (in partnership with Tomago Aluminium)
- Excellence in Manufacturing Leadership: Tony Lobb – Brain Industries International
IMAGE | Morgan Engineering team
