The Minister's Tasmanian Exporter of the Year Award

The Minister's Tasmanian Exporter of the Year Award is selected from all the category winners.

The winner of the 2006 Minister's Tasmanian Exporter of the Year Award is - Lightning Protection International Pty Ltd

Lightning Protection International has demonstrated substantial and consistent increases in export sales since the company's inception in 2002. It is a company that is almost totally focussed on export sales, with 91 per cent of its revenue being generated by international business. It has consolidated its existing markets and opened up a number of new markets as its sales and presence has increased around the world.

The company has been thoroughly committed to exports, customer service, and developing new products specifically designed to meet the needs of its growing number of international clients. This commitment to international markets has been rewarded with the Minister's Tasmanian Exporter of the Year Award.

Lightning Protection International, General Manager Wayne Temple and Hon Michael Aird MLC, Treasurer and Minister for Racing

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Tasmanian Award for Export Leadership

This award is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the export industry in Tasmania.

The 2006 Tasmanian Award for Export Leadership goes to - Peter Shelley

Mr Peter Shelley has played a pivotal role in taking Tasmanian salmon exports from a zero base to become an important part of Tasmania's export portfolio. In 1994, he formed the first Australian-owned company in Japan - enabling vertical integration of the salmon industry.

He pioneered the first use of nitrogen freezing and packing techniques in Australia, which has been the catalyst for millions of dollars in exports from Tasmania.

He played a pivotal role in the successful campaign to get daily airfreight shipments from Hobart Airport, enabling the more efficient movement of Tasmania's perishable export goods.

He also played an instrumental role in the establishment of Brand Tasmania and the Tasmanian Food Industry Council - both of which play key roles in the strategic direction and promotion of Tasmanian products.

Other achievements include being Chairman of the International Salmon Farmers Association and the National Aquaculture Council. In addition, he has made significant contributions as a member of the Tasmanian Export Council, the Austrade Agrifood Advisory Committee, the Supermarkets to Asia Advisory Council, and the Trade Policy & Advisory Council. Peter is currently the Honorary Consul-General for Japan in Tasmania.

Hon Michael Aird MLC, and Peter Shelley

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Tasports Agribusiness Award

This award is presented to the business that demonstrated outstanding export achievement in the field of agricultural products, services or technology, including processed foods and beverages and the forestry, fisheries and fibres industries.

The winner of the 2006 Agribusiness Award is - Red Kelly's Gourmet Foods Pty Ltd

Red Kelly's Gourmet Foods has used its renowned culinary skills to create a superb range of gourmet dressings, marinades and spices.

Red Kelly's Gourmet Foods has established strong sales in North America, Europe, Asia and Australasia. Export sales have more than doubled over the past twelve months and plans are well advanced to consolidate growth in existing markets and exploit the vast potential of new emerging markets, such as China.

A commitment to exports, adherence to strict standards of quality and hygiene, and a range of mouth-watering secret recipes have all combined to help Red Kelly's Gourmet Foods further develop their export markets.

Red Kelly's Gourmet Foods, Managing Director Michael Kelly and Tasports Chairman Dr Dan Norton

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Austrade Arts, Entertainment, Design, Events and Tourism Award

The Austrade Arts, Entertainment, Design, Events and Tourism Award is awarded to the business that showed outstanding export achievement across all cultural industries including fine arts, performing arts, fashion, design, electronic and on-line entertainment and the inbound tourism sector.

The winner of the 2006 Arts, Entertainment, Design, Events and Tourism Award is - World Heritage Cruises

World Heritage Cruises is Tasmania's largest wilderness cruise company, with over 100 years' experience in taking visitors into Tasmania's unique World Heritage Area. In December 2004, the company entered a new and exciting phase in its rich and colourful history when it launched its purpose built cruise vessel, the M V Discovery.

This magnificent vessel provides 5-star luxury accommodation for up 24 guests, who travel up the Gordon River exploring branches and inlets that have never previously been visited by a commercial vessel.

By leveraging off the brand values and promotional campaigns of Brand Tasmania and Tourism Tasmania, the company has successfully targeted the luxury end of the market. Subsequently, international clientele have almost tripled in the past year with marked increases in passengers from the UK, Continental Europe and the USA.

A combination of marketing skills, an opulent luxury service, eco-sensitive operations and pure adventure provide an enticing formula for export sales for World Heritage Cruises.

World Heritage Cruises, Sales and Marketing Manager Carolyn Nissen and Austrade, State Manager Tristram Travers

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Australia Post Education Award

This award is presented to the business which has shown outstanding export achievement in the field of education and training services, expertise and curriculum.

The winner of the 2006 Education Award is - Australian Maritime College

The Australian Maritime College (AMC) is one of the finest and best equipped maritime education facilities in the world, attracting students from approximately 50 countries.

AMC has teaching, training, research and development infrastructure with a replacement value of over $60 million. Examples are its Simulation Centre, which is one of the most advanced of its type in the world, and it's Towing Tank, which is the only commercial facility of its type in Australasia.

It has ensured that all of its excellent facilities are used to the full by conducting thorough research and then adapting courses to meet the needs and requirements of its international target markets.

Export income has increased by well over 50 per cent over the past year from a very substantial base, and it predicts further significant increases in all its major international markets in the years ahead.

Australia Post Tasmania, State Sales Manager Tim Quinn and Australian Maritime College, Acting President and Principal Prof Tom Hardy

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AusIndustry Emerging Exporter Award

The AusIndustry Emerging Exporter Award is presented to the business that has demonstrated outstanding export achievement in any export sector, and which has been exporting goods or services for three years or less.

The winner of the 2006 Emerging Exporter Award is - Roar Film Pty Ltd

Roar Film, already firmly established as one of Australia's foremost television and multimedia production companies, has focused its resources on developing proprietary e-learning content for international markets.

Recent successes include the acquisition of a major contract with London Grid for Learning - the UK's largest e-learning consortia of local education authorities. This success will result in Roar's online learning program being used in 2600 schools within 33 local authorities in the United Kingdom.

Roar is known for a vibrant, narrative approach to e-learning that provides an engaging, interactive learning environment with media-rich content - an approach that is proving equally popular with education authorities, teachers and students.

Through the company's comprehensive strategic planning processes, it has identified a huge potential for its innovative e-learning products in the UK's schools sector.

With Roar's renowned attributes of innovation, tenacity and its adherence to sound business practices, their recent success looks like being just the start of a very fulfilling e-learning experience for all concerned.

Roar Film, Managing Director Craig Dow-Sainter and Senator for Tasmania, Senator Guy Barnett

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UK Trade and Investment Information and Communications Technology Award

This award is presented to the business that has achieved outstanding export success in the field of information and communication products, technology or services.

The winner of the 2006 Information and Communications Technology Award is - JadeLiquid Software Pty Ltd

This dynamic software developer has ensured that its cutting-edge Web Renderer software is the rendering component of choice for an ever-growing number of Java programmers around the globe.

From its relatively modest base in Sandy Bay, JadeLiquid Software has acquired clients in over 20 countries, including major organisations of the standing of the European Space Agency, Cisco Systems and Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Encyclopaedia Britannica was so impressed with the exceptionally high level of compliance standards the software provided that it made the WebRenderer Java browser its standard for content display for the massive volume of information in Britannica's applications.

JadeLiquid was the first company in the world to introduce web development software that enables developers to accurately display web content within a Java application.

JadeLiquid Software, Chief Executive Officer Anthony Scotney and British Consul General Peter West

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Caterpillar Underground Mining Small Business Award

This category award goes to the business that has shown outstanding export achievement by a manufacturer with total annual sales not exceeding $5 million.

The winner of the 2006 Small Business Award is - Fiomarine Industries Pty Ltd

Fiomarine Industries' Fiobuoy submersible marker and retrieval system allows valuable objects that are submerged underwater to be identified and retrieved without the need for visible markers that protrude the surface of the water. Thereby eliminating objects that can not only be hazardous to shipping, but also provide tell-tale signposts for would be thieves.

A key feature of the product is the ability of the buoy system to rise to the surface precisely when required, following activation by a pre-programmed time and date setting or via an acoustic command signal. This feature is invaluable in a number of applications, but is particular useful in the aquaculture industry and covert military operations.

After six years of extensive testing, Fiomarine recently secured major military contracts with the US Department of Defence.

Fiomarine Industries, Commercial Director John Fiotakis and Caterpillar Underground Mining, Managing Director Andrew Ransley

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The Examiner Newspaper Regional Exporter of the Year Award

This award is presented to the business with outstanding export achievement whose head office is based in a non-metropolitan location.

The winner of the 2006 Regional Exporter of the Year Award is - Easy Fit Fencing Components Pty Ltd

Easy-Fit Fencing has revolutionised the fencing industry with a range of top quality components that are lighter, cheaper and more efficient than similar products on the market. From modest beginnings, this Devonport-based business has grown to become one of the brand leaders in its field.

Significant investment in research and development has resulted in the company developing a range of products with unique, patented design features that provide a distinct competitive advantage in a highly competitive market. Rival companies have tried very hard to copy these designs, but no one has been able to master the proprietary features that are inherent in Easy-Fit products.

A substantial increase in orders, including a threefold increase in exports over the past 12 months, prompted Easy Fit's move to larger premises. The move has greatly increased its capacity to meet this rapidly increasing demand.

The Examiner Newspaper, General Manager Phil Leersen, and Easy Fit Fencing Components, Managing Director John Richards

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Commonwealth Bank Services Award

The Commonwealth Bank Services award is presented to the business that has shown outstanding export achievement in a recognised services industry, such as the consultancy, finance, insurance, legal, health, community and engineering sectors.

The winner of the 2006 Services Award is - Powercom Systems Pty Ltd

Powercom Systems successfully targets a niche market for communications, power and electronic systems in some of the world's most challenging environments.

Sierra Leone, Ghana, Fiji, Kiribati, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and American Samoa are just some of the places where Powercom Systems has delivered its comprehensive package of services - from design through to manufacture, assembly, installation, training, after sales support and maintenance.

An example of Powercom's commitment to overcome challenges is provided with the work it is undertaking in 33 islands, spread over 3500 kilometres, that make up the Republic of Kiribati. The fact that many of these islands do not have electricity, any communication infrastructure, or even a jetty is not a problem for Powercom. They will be taking in complex equipment such as towers, antenna and building materials by canoe.

The Powercom Systems team, Mark Wild, Phillip Tompson, Diane Tompson and Ben Steven, and Commonwealth Bank, Manager Corporate Northern Tasmania Mark Gaetani (2nd from left)

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Aurora Energy Manufacturer Award

The Aurora Energy Manufacturer award is presented to the business that achieved outstanding export achievement in the manufacturing sector. This year's Aurora Energy Manufacturer Award is split into two sections: Large Advanced Manufacturer and Small to Medium Manufacturer.

- The Large Advanced Manufacturer Award

The Large Advanced Manufacturer Award is awarded to a manufacturer who has achieved annual export sales in excess of $20 million.

The winner of the 2006 Large Advanced Manufacturer Award is - ACL Bearing Company

The ACL Bearing Company has played a prominent role in Tasmania's export drive for over four decades. It has developed markets in over fifty countries by building a reputation for quality, service excellence and exceptional delivery lead-times.

The company's significant commitment to exports is underlined by the fact that almost 50% of its substantial turnover is generated by international sales, which make a large contribution to its ability to provide stable employment for well over 400 Tasmanians.

A prime factor in its export success is its commitment to forming strong business partnerships with all its customers. This is achieved through a comprehensive customer relation program and a customer service package that includes a highly effective communication network and after sales support.

The ACL Bearing Company has strengthened the position of its primary market in North America through its comprehensive warehouse and distribution facility and it is actively pursuing opportunities to grow its market share in Europe.

ACL Bearing, General Manager Jason Furness and Aurora Energy, Retail Chief Executive Officer Dr Peter Davis

The Small to Medium Manufacturer Award is presented to a business with annual sales of less than $20 million.

The winner of the 2006 Small to Medium Manufacturer Award is - Lightning Protection International Pty Ltd

This innovative producer of advanced direct strike lightning and surge protection products has made exceptional inroads into international markets in just a few short years of operation.

Lightning Protection International exports almost trebled in 2004, then increased by a further 56 per cent in 2005 and have almost doubled in the past year - with each increase coming off an increasingly high base. Not surprisingly, many existing markets have shown substantial increases in sales in the past financial year and many new markets have opened up including Qatar, Chile, Ecuador and Laos.

The company recognised that competitors servicing the Asian region, usually from the Northern Hemisphere, were offering clients ad hoc fixes to lightning problems, using products that had been developed for European conditions. Recognising a market opportunity, Lightning Protection International set about developing a comprehensive suite of solutions that catered for all of the customers' lightning related problems. At the same time, it made sure that solutions were tailored to meet individual customer requirements and local conditions.

Aurora Energy, Retail Chief Executive Officer Dr Peter Davis and Lightning Protection International, General Manager Wayne Temple

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