This year’s Hunter Manufacturing Awards at Wests City (NEX) was marked by green, gold and a true Aussie atmosphere and featured entertainment from the Foxy Hornbags (Kath & Kim).
The Hunter region’s local manufacturing leaders were centre-stage, as the judges awarded businesses that promoted best practices in manufacturing for the thirteenth year of the awards.
Varley Group was announced the prestigious Manufacturer of the Year Award while HMS Group won the Hunter Manufacturing Awards (HMA) Board Award.
Both winners have won trips to an international destination to attend a trade fair, event or other activity that will serve to benefit their company. The trips were sponsored by HelloWorld Business Travel Newcastle and HMA.
HMA Chairman, Steven Smith thanked sponsors of the awards and said he was proud to see new companies being recognised. Steven also congratulated winners.
“2017 manufacturing continues to be a hard gig. The challenges just keep coming at us – from different directions and in unexpected ways,” Steven said.
“The applicants for Hunter Manufacturing Awards continue to demonstrate a resilience and an ability to overcome those challenges by innovating and adapting their businesses in their own ways.”
Amongst the winners were:
- Jessica Cole from DSI Underground who won the 2017 Rising Star Award.
- Jake Barry from Downer Engineering was awarded Apprentice of the Year – Manufacturing.
- The Excellence in Innovation award – Design Anthology was awarded to Alpha Surf Ski.
- McLanahan was awarded the Export of Manufactured Goods Award.
- The Technology Award was given to AirPak Sheetmetal.
- Excellence in Product Design was awarded to Ampcontrol Group – Voice Com Phone.
- Excellence in Marketing was awarded to Beep Bicycle Bells.
- Excellence in Safety was given to Moly-Cop – Crane Safety Video and Open Days.
- Excellence in Manufacturing Process was given to Varley Group.
- Excellence in People and Skills Development was awarded to BAE Systems.
- Excellence in Environmentally Responsible Manufacturing Practices was awarded to Norris Industries.
The board of HMA continues to utilise some funds towards a scholarship for potential or existing TAFE students who are planning or are currently undertaking a course which is directly related to the manufacturing industry.
The scholarships are open to any student who is undertaking a course directly related to manufacturing, is committed to a career in the manufacturing industry, and shows a passion for engineering and manufacturing.
The value of the scholarship is $5,000 per year to be distributed to up to five students.
IMAGE | CEO of Keolis Downer Hunter, Campbell Mason, and the team from Varley Group who won the 2017 Manufacturer of the Year and the 2017 Excellence in Manufacturing Process category.
