The 2014 Hunter Manufacturing Awards (HMA) was held last Friday night, marking 10 years of HMA’s support of manufacturing in the Hunter region.
HMA Chairman, Bob Cowan said that the Hunter is a proud manufacturing region and the HMA event is to recognise local manufacturers.
“It is all about recognition and encouragement and profiling those that have achieved excellence,” Bob said.
“To reach the milestone of 10 years of supporting manufacturing excellence in our region marks the determination, tenacity and loyalty of all of our manufacturers”.
Austube Mills was awarded the Manufacturer of the Year award and Hummingbird Electronics was the winner of the HMA Board Award. Both companies will win a trip to an international destination of their choice to attend a trade fair or event that will assist and benefit their company.
It was 2014 Major Sponsor, DOWNER, who presented the prestigious award of Manufacturer of the Year to Austube Mills.
“In August this year, Austube Mills celebrated their 80 years of manufacturing in the region and the winning of the Manufacturer of the Year Award cemented their value and presence as a great, long-standing manufacturer,” Bob continued.
Austube Mills was the first company to make steel tube in Australia and has been manufacturing in the Hunter since the 1930s.
The judging panel said, “Despite extremely difficult market conditions Austube has maintained its market leadership in Australia. It has achieved this through a passion for quality, with its diverse range of products third part certified to the highest AUS/NZ standards, and a strong focus on understanding and helping their customers.”
Continuous improvement is core business at Austube with an extensive, systematic approach in place to encourage and support all employees to participate in improving quality and productivity.
The leadership team at Austube also appreciates the important role business plays in building a strong community and encourages and supports a diverse range of charitable and sporting organisations throughout the region.
“Austube Mills has shown that success can be achieved in the hardest of times through a clear vision and strategy, developed and driven by a strong leadership, supported by a great team who turn up every day and give their best,” Bob said.
For the full list of winners, please see below.
- Manufacturer of the Year
- HMA Board Award
- Excellence in Marketing
- Excellence in Export of Manufactured Goods
- Excellence in Product Design
Hummingbird Electronics
- Excellence in Environmentally Responsibile Manufacturing Practices
- Excellence in Technology
- Excellence in Safety
Austube Mills
- Excellence in Training
Moly-Cop Waratah
- Apprentice of the Year – Manufacturing
Mitchell Brown, employed By HNCTC, hosted By Hetronic
- Employee of the Year – Rising Star
Matthew Mead, Onesteel Distribution
- Excellence in Manufacturing Process
Onesteel – Contistretch
- Excellence in Innovation
- Excellence in Manufacturing Education
Maitland Grossman High School