Austal Ships a finalist in '94 industry and export awards

5/10/94

Austal Ships has been selected as a finalist in the 1994 Western Australian Industry and Export Awards.

The Henderson shipbuilding company is one of four finalists in the Large Manufacturers Award category of the State wide awards to be judged next month.

Resources Development Minister Colin Barnett today presented the company with a finalist certificate, saying that Austal Ships was one of Western Australia's greatest business success stories.

"The Henderson-based shipbuilding company is literally a company on the move," Mr Barnett said.

The Minister said that the overwhelming international success of its high-speed passenger ferries had led to the company expanding its factory capacity three times since commencing its operation in 1988.

Austal has so far sold 24 high-speed passenger catamarans to Chinese operators, more than any other shipyard in the world, and recently made its first sale in to the Japanese market or a 43-metre, 331-passenger catamaran with $10.7 million.

Now, a new $15 million waterfront facility at Jervoise Bay will handle the construction of mega-ferries up to 100 metres long and 35 metres wide.

Even before completion, Austal's new complex is in use for the construction of a 79-metre 'Super SeaCat' ferry - the biggest to ever be built in Australia - which is destined for service in the English Channel.  This project is a joint venture between Austal and fellow Henderson shipbuilders Oceanfast.

Mr Barnett said the company had, in less than a year, increased its workforce from 185 people to 320, including 40 apprentices.  During the next six months, the company would recruit another 100 workers.

The awards were established to help recognise the many WA companies which aimed to improve competitiveness and expand into export markets.

The 11 categories in the awards recognised those organisations and individuals who distinguished themselves in the pursuit of excellence in product, design, engineering, human resources, management, research and development, marketing and export achievement.

Applicants for the Large Manufacturers Award were assessed on the record of export achievement, including the value of export sales as a percentage of total sales and the value of their principal export markets.  Other selection criteria included the quality of marketing strategies, the capital base of the company and its ability to support export activity.

The State Government, through the Department of Commerce and Trade, is one of seven sponsors of the awards, including Arthur Andersen, BankWest, CRA Group, Hitachi Data Systems, Mallesons Stephen Jaques and The West Australian Newspaper.

Eighty two organisations submitted 96 applications as a part of this year's awards.

The winner of the Large Manufacturers Award, as well as winners of other award categories, will be announced at a Gala Presentation Dinner on Monday, October 17.

Media contact:  Carolyn Vicars - 222 9699