Perth-based video production company wins Small Business of the Year award

6/10/95

Western Australia's Small Business of the Year is Perth-based video production company BAC Productions.

Small Business Minister Hendy Cowan presented the prestigious award to company managing director Peter Carter at the Telstra West Australian Small Business Awards presentation dinner at the Radisson Observation City Hotel tonight.

There were four categories in the State awards, which were conducted by Telstra and the Small Business Development Corporation, with one of the category winners being selected as WA Small Business of the Year.

The individual category winners were:

+          Qantas Award for small business with fewer than six employees - BAC Productions, of Ocean Reef (tourism video production business);

+          Ericsson Award for small business with fewer than 60 employees - Bulfer International Pty Ltd, of Kewdale (freight forwarding and customs clearance business);

+          Commonwealth Bank Award for manufacturer with fewer than 100 employees - Del-Ray Canvas Products, of Bunbury (canvas product manufacturing business); and -

+          Apple Computer Australia Award for quality management/best practice - Swispec Pty Ltd, of Bunbury (engineering).

Mr Cowan said the awards were open to virtually all types of small and medium enterprises which had been in business for two years or more.

"Judges looked for all the varying components that contribute to business success, such as marketing expertise, quality of customer service, implementation of management strategies, planning, staff development and financial performance," he said.

"In today's changing environment, small businesses are having to be more entrepreneurial and innovative if they want to succeed and these were also qualities sought by the judging panel."

Mr Cowan added that the winners came away with a great deal more than the $60,000 in prizes and awards they shared.

"They gain recognition, credibility and invaluable publicity as well as the opportunity to represent WA at the national awards to be held in Melbourne on October 31," he said.

"All the small and medium enterprises which entered the Telstra and SBDC awards benefit from the experience.

"The entry form designed by Ernst and Young gave entrants a structural format to review their business performance and future direction.

"As more and more small business operators use the awards to look for ways to improve their business, all Western Australians will share in their success through a better economy, bigger business markets and more job opportunities."

Media contacts:  Peter Jackson 222 9595 or 222 8788

Bruno DelFante (SBDC) 220 0215