The 2010 Australian Marine Industry

Export Awards run by the Australian International Marine Export Group (AIMEX) was showcased in Sydney’s Darling Harbour during the recent Sydney International Boat Show. The night included 21 award applicants.

Exporter of the Year – Seawind Catamarans also took out the award category "Best Marine Industry Export Marketing Strategy".

Seawind Catamarans director Richard Ward said he was humbled by the acknowledgement and took the opportunity to acknowledge his appreciation for AIMEX as an organisation of great strength and a necessity to the Australian marine industry’s success.

AIMEX said Seawind Catamarans is Australia’s largest and most successful designer and builder of ocean capable cruising sailing catamarans. Seawind Catamarans is now one of the most respected brand names in the sailing world, both in Australia and overseas. Seawind has always considered itself as a global company with marketing strategies that are indivisibly global. Its marketing strategy attracts domestic customers and export customers alike. Seawind export their models all over the world and, in 2009, these exports accounted for 40 per cent of production by dollar value.

Due to the high calibre of award entries Highly Commended Awards were given in many categories. In the category "Best Marine Industry Export Performance" Aqualuma Underwater Lighting, GME and Ronstan International all highly successful exporters with well known international brands were awarded High Commendation for their Export Marketing Strategies.

"Best Marine Industry Export Performance" in the Small Category (export sales less than $500K) was awarded to Ark Corporation. AIMEX said Ark has persisted and continued overseas exposure through Trade shows, their website and various other media channels. Ark has established distribution of their product through seven countries. Export sales represent approximately 2.7 per cent of its overall sales. Sydney based Spear Green Design were awarded a High Commendation award in this category. Spear Green Design has been involved in marine design and management projects in over 15 countries.

South Australia based Hydrive Engineering won "Best Marine Industry Export Performance" in the Medium Category (export sales between $500K – $2mill). Hydrive Engineering a global leader in the field of boat steering equipment boast half of HyDrive Engineering’s production staff and all sales and management are involved in their export efforts. Following closely behind, Britton Marine were awarded a High Commendation award in this category, Britton Marine who have a solid international reputation are major suppliers of inflatable craft for the Australian and NewZealand Navys it has also designed, built and patented Diesel Driven Large fire fighting pumps for military applications. In the past six years, Britton Marine have successfully developed markets in UAE, India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia and New Zealand.

The award Winner for "Best Marine Industry Export Performance" in the Large Category (export sales over $2mill) was awarded to Tasmania’s Muir Engineering. Muir Engineering are a leading global manufacturer of marine anchor winches and windlasses, anchoring and docking systems and deck equipment for Super and Mega Yachts, Pleasure Craft, Fast Ferries and Commercial Vessels from 5 to 140 metres in length. In 2009 Muir’s export sales were 74 per cent of its total sales. Managing director of Muir Engineering, John Muir was awarded "Marine Industry Export Champion" for his significant service and contribution to the marine industry, considered still at the coal face of his business where he has been for the past 40 years.

Also awarded High Commendation Awards in the Export Performance Large Category were GME, Seawind Catamarans and Superior Jetties.

Contributing greatly to the environment, Marine Sanitation was awarded Winner of the "Most Environmentally Friendly Marine Industry Exported Product". Marine Sanitations service is to provide the design, manufacture, installation and servicing of both the Dockside Discharge Units and the Portable Toilet Emptying Units.

EXPORTER OF THE YEAR
• Winner – Seawind Catamarans

MOST INNOVATIVE MARINE INDUSTRY EXPORTED PRODUCT
• Winner – FinScan Pty Ltd
• Highly Commended – Aqualuma Underwater Lighting
• Highly Commended – Britton Marine
(Aust) Pty Ltd
• Highly Commended – MultiPanel Pty Ltd
 
BEST MARINE INDUSTRY EXPORT MARKETING STRATEGY
• Winner – Seawind Catamarans
• Highly Commended – Aqualuma Underwater Lighting
• Highly Commended – GME
• Highly Commended – Ronstan International
Pty Ltd
 
BEST MARINE INDUSTRY EXPORT PERFORMANCE SMALL EXPORTER
• Winner – Ark Corporation Pty Ltd
• Highly Commended – Spear Green Design
 
BEST MARINE INDUSTRY EXPORT PERFORMANCE MEDIUM EXPORTER
• Winner – Hydrive Engineering Pty Ltd
• Highly Commended – Britton Marine
(Aust) Pty Ltd

BEST MARINE INDUSTRY EXPORT PERFORMANCE LARGE EXPORTER
• Winner – Muir Engineering Pty Ltd
• Highly Commended – Seawind Catamarans
• Highly Commended – GME
• Highly Commended – Superior Jetties

MARINE INDUSTRY EXPORT CHAMPION
• Winner – John Muir, Muir Engineering
Pty Ltd

MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY MARINE INDUSTRY EXPORTED PRODUCT
• Winner – Marine Sanitation Pty Ltd
2010 Australian Marine Industry Export Awards
Results from the recent Australian Marine Industry Export Awards held in Sydney.
Kylie  Hargreaves NSW Government executive director, International Markets and Trade  Industry and Investment, and Richard Ward director Seawind Catamarans.
EXPORTER OF THE YEAR
• Winner – Seawind Catamarans