AIMEX award winners announced at Sydney

THE 2010 Australian Marine Industry Export Awards run by the Australian International Marine Export Group (AIMEX) was showcased in Sydney’s Darling Harbour on Thursday night, with 21 award applicants.

AIMEX said Judges were impressed by the high calibre and broad range of businesses that entered and stated it was difficult choosing the winners given all were high achievers within the global marine export market

“The 2010 entries need special congratulations for their achievements in what has been a very difficult export market,” said awards judge Bob Basham and director of R.W. Basham.

AIMEX said All 21 entrants should be commended as they are all running successful exporting businesses. CEO MaryAnne Edwards said: “The number and calibre of entries and the strong sponsorship support these inaugural awards attracted is testament to the high profile and credibility that AIMEX has achieved within the marine export sector.”

Acknowledging the significance of the event and the importance the government places on profiling the innovation within the marine sector, the Hon. Richard Marles MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Industry, special guest speaker presented the Australian Marine Industry Export Awards Innovation Award.

”The number and calibre of these applications certainly shows the resilience of the Australian Marine Export industry during the GFC. Many of the applicant’s stories would be great case studies in how to manage through these times economic times,” said Edwards.

Major Sponsors of the awards were Austrade, Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR), FGI and Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. Supporting sponsors were Exhibitek Displays, Go Boating Publications, Marine Business, MarineBusiness-World.com, Ocean Media, Powerboat-World.com, Sandman Public Relations, Sail-World.com, Shipmate Marine Directory and Ultimate Boating and Lifestyle Magazine.

The results from the 2010 Australian Marine Industry Export Awards are:

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