Winners of 2001 Industry and Export Awards Announced

19/10/01
Kailis & France Foods' success as an exporter of fresh seafood and value-added prepared foods has earned the company the Premier's Award for Excellence in the 2001 Western Australian Industry and Export Awards.
State Development Minister Clive Brown presented Kailis & France Foods with the top prize in this prestigious awards program during a special ceremony in Perth on Friday night.
"Kailis & France has become an important link between WA producers and discerning markets in over a dozen countries," Mr Brown said.
"The company has done much to boost international awareness of the superior quality and flavour of WA produce."
Kailis & France Foods, which also won the in the awards, achieved a turnover of $110 million last year - 60% of this was accounted for by export business.
It has two divisions:

• Kailis & France Prepared Foods, which designs and manufactures value-added meals in a state-of-the-art Osborne park factory; and
• Kailis & France Lobster/Tuna Division, which exports fish under the new Seaways brand, bearing the Marine Stewardship Council logo that certifies the fish are from well managed and sustainable fisheries.

The Western Australian Industry and Export Awards are the premier business awards in W A.
Winners of the export categories will represent the State in the Australian Export Awards later this year.
Other category winners in this year's awards were:
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EXPORT AWARDS
Storyteller Productions of South Perth
A maker of documentary television programmes such as "Before It's Too Late" and "Animal X", Storyteller credits its success in a highly competitive international marketplace to competitive pricing and compelling content.
C.Y. O'CONNOR AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
Geographe Enterprises of Bunbury
Founded 31 years ago on the belief that Australia was in need of engineering solutions appropriate to Australian conditions, Geographe Enterprises has developed world class engineered products and services for mining and manufacturing industries.
EDUCATION EXPORT AWARD
Curtin University of Technology
For ten consecutive years, Curtin University of Technology has held the distinction of having the third highest international student enrolment of any Australian university. It established its first overseas campus at Sarawak, Malaysia and enrolments at this institution are growing rapidly.
EMERGING EXPORTER AWARD
A V Communications Pty Ltd of Malaga
This company is the only Australian manufacturer, and one of only two in the world, with the capacity to transfer 15kHz FM quality audio over a standard telephone line, in real time. AVC has found international markets in 15 countries around the globe.
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY EXPORT AWARD
Lasata Software Pty Ltd of West Perth
Lasata's Vision financial management software tools, designed to complement SunSystems databases, are installed in over 140 countries. They are developed in-house using Western Australian expertise and innovation.
LARGE MANUFACTURERS EXPORT AWARD
Oceanfast Pty Ltd
Oceanfast is regarded as one of the top six luxury motor yacht builders in the world, earning 100 per cent of its revenue from export sales in 2000-2001. The company aims to achieve sales of $100m for the year ended 2002 and $150m per annum within five years.
MARKETING AND DESIGN EXCELLENCE AWARD
Gold Corporation - Perth
Gold Corporation's four Millennium coins and the 10 coins in the Centenary of Federation Celebration Suite were recognised for innovative designs, high quality production, marketing excellence and higher than expected sales.
MINERALS AND ENERGY INDUSTRY EXPORT AWARD
Portman Limited - Perth
In an era of global rationalisation in the iron ore industry, Portman Limited is achieving increased production and sales through a multifaceted strategy, including a joint venture with Chinese partner Angang Steel. The strategy involves developing new and emerging niche markets and upgrading the Port of Esperance to accommodate larger vessels.
SERVICES EXPORT AWARD
Clough Engineering Limited - Perth
Clough Engineering has been a multiple award winner in these awards, returning this year to report export earnings of a staggering $389 million in 2000-2001. By 2005, the company aims to achieve a turnover of $2 billion - two thirds from export business.
SMALL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT EXCELLENCE AWARD
Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation of Fremantle
Just five years ago, Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation was on the brink of bankruptcy. Today the Foundation, which provides educational and developmental programs for young people, has achieved an annual $1.7 million in turnover, a 200% increase in profits and a debt-free financial position.
SMALL TO MEDIUM MANUFACTURERS EXPORT AWARD
Q-MAC Electronics of Osborne Park
Q-MAC Electronics Pty Ltd has penetrated niche markets on several continents with its radio transceiver product that lets users on foot, in vehicles, in the air and at base stations communicate with people several hundred kilometres away.
BEST REGIONAL EXPORTER
Cambinata Yabbies of Kukerin
Starting 10 years ago with a small tank on the side of a dam and supplying one restaurant with yabbies worth $200 a week, the business has grown to meet the demands of the international trade. It now has a refrigerated tank capable of holding seven tonnes of live yabbies in crystal clear water.
SPECIAL COMMENDATION
Manjimup Syndicate Coolstores Limited of Manjimup
An entry in the Agribusiness Export Award category and the Marketing and Design Excellence Award Category, Manjimup Syndicate Coolstores Limited received a special commendation for its rapidly growing export sales turnover. Last year the Syndicate sold $18 million in fresh fruit and vegetables despite an economic downturn in Asia and competition from low-cost countries.
The sponsors of the 2001 Western Australian Industry and Export Awards are Austal Ships, Austrade, BankWest, Corrs Chambers Westgarth, Hamersley Iron, Ernst and Young, The West Australian and the Department of Industry and Technology.

Media contact: Minister's Office - Bev East - 9222 9699