As Hunter Manufacturing Awards (HMA) celebrates 20 years of acknowledging excellence in the sector, it is initiating significant partnerships to broaden its reach and impact. HMA is working towards supporting a national awards programme, with its winners automatically qualifying as finalists.

HMA chair Jacqui Daley, the founder and managing director of The Measured Marketer, highlights the importance of sharing these stories on a national stage to enhance “Brand Hunter”. HMA has teamed with Industry Update magazine to ensure national coverage for stories about its finalists and winners. In collaboration with partner Newy Tech People, HMA has also launched an engineering and manufacturing-themed podcast, sharing the back stories of HMA winners and showcasing their talent and innovation.

“In showcasing the outstanding achievements of HMA winners and finalists to a broader audience, our new initiatives reinforce the region’s reputation for excellence,” Jacqui said.

“This visibility is vital as we navigate the evolving landscape of manufacturing, energy, and defence industries.”

Bob Cowan kicked off his business manufacturing lifesaving recompression and hyperbaric chambers in 1973. He sold Cowan Manufacturing in 2018 to James Fisher Defence, the leading global subsea operations and engineering company.

“Who would have thought a little sheet-metal company at Warners Bay would invent something the United States Navy is still purchasing? That’s mind-blowing for me,” Mr Bob said. “I got to a point where I had achieved everything I was after.”

One of those achievements was establishing the HMA in 2004.

“Because I worked so hard in manufacturing to get my own company off the ground, I thought it was important to give something back,” he said. “I thought the Hunter had a lot to offer, but no one knows if you don’t tell them.”

Forward 20 years, incumbent chair Jacqui said her background as a marketer enables a “big-picture” approach to building that awareness.

“Manufacturers are often not great at telling their stories or showcasing their expertise to the world,” she said. “I stepped into the role to bring that perspective to the mix.”

The first female chair of the board, Jacqui represents a shift towards greater diversity within the industry and its representative bodies.

“We are witnessing a transformation in the sector,” Jacqui said. “It’s not just about recognising that the industry has been traditionally male-dominated but the manufacturing has also shifted from relatively “heavy” industry to a lot more sectors including health, food and beverage production, technology and more. There is now a diversity in the region and on the HMA board, and we see that in the award applications coming through.

“We have really tried to open up the HMA to be more representative of manufacturing across the board. So, whether it’s the amazing ladies behind Hey Zomi who won last year for their reusable menstrual disk, to those dominating in the mining space. There is diversity across the mix … gin distillers and cheese producers, companies in robotics … we’re recognising all kinds of things being manufactured right here in the Hunter.”

HMA’s immediate past chair, Steven Smith, managing director of Advitech, recalls Bob Cowan inviting him to join the HMA board. Mr Smith, who was chairman of HunterNet in 2002 and 2003 saw the passion within HMA for promoting the successes of manufacturing in the Hunter region.

“I saw a very well organised team with clear objectives,” Steven said. “I just wanted to help maintain the great work that had been done.”

He also emphasises the importance of networking opportunities provided by HMA. “It’s rare for people from such a diverse range of industries to come together,” he said. The inaugural HMA winner in 2004 was Varley Group. Current Varley chairman and CEO Jeff Phillips said in ensuring the region appreciates and celebrates its manufacturing, HMA makes a significant cultural statement.

“One of the challenges we face is the perception that manufacturing only happens overseas,” Jeff said. “HMA helps to demonstrate that significant manufacturing occurs right here in the Hunter. HMA allows us to show what we can do and promote our own worth and value.”

Jacqui said the Hunter is transforming as the nation looks for new solutions to energy and defence commitments. The transformation involves many sectors including agriculture, medtech and technology, but manufacturing sits at the heart of all of those industries.

“If we look at the broader national and global energy transformation, manufacturing is essential,” she said.  “And when it rises to meet these challenges, HMA will continue to celebrate and share our region’s stories with the world.”

IMAGE | HMA Chair, Jacqui Daley