For the first time in three years, the Hunter Manufacturing Awards (HMA) held a full gala event at NEX, Newcastle on Friday, 28th October. The event marked the 18th year of the HMA.
Jane Goldsmith of NBN steered the event flawlessly throughout the evening with 14 category awards up for grabs.
The event was opened with a very moving rendition of the Acknowledgement to Country with Brad Twynham playing the digeridoo.
Earthen Rhythms, Newcastle’s leading African Drumming and Rhythm Events entertainment provided an exciting performance including interaction with guests.
Chair of HMA, Steven Smith referred to the theme of “Expect the Unexpected” and said “This could mean different things to different people. With respect to the manufacturing sector, manufacturers are building back fast despite significant headwinds. The extraordinary levels of business uncertainty in the past couple of years have honed our instincts to expect the unexpected, and manufacturers have consequently developed greater resilience to sustain their momentum and competitiveness.
HMA is here for the manufacturers in our Region – to support where possible and we invite them to use HMA as means to interact with other manufacturers and have their company profiled and promoted.”
Winners of the Manufacturer of the Year Awards – 50 Employees or More Award and Less Than 50 Employees’ Award are both rewarded with an overseas trip to a country of their choice or a trip within Australia if preferred, to visit other companies, a trade fair or event that will enable their company to further their business or make important contacts in an endeavour to grow and develop their company.
Special mention to Resourceful Living for Outstanding Start Up Business and Hedweld Group of Companies for Excellence in Export & Global Supply Chain Chains!
Founded in the middle of the pandemic, Resourceful Living’s mission is to reduce and reuse plastic waste, turning plastic from your yellow bin and industrial waste into furniture and common household items. The company has already recycled 10 tonnes of waste plastic and is a shining example of the #CircularEconomy in the #Hunter. Resourceful Living ticks all the boxes proving that local #manufacturing can have a strong impact on the local and global environment. Resourceful Living’s commitment to Australian based manufacturing and a strong focus on environmental impact and the circular economy makes resourceful living a worthy winner in this category.
Hedweld Group of Companies
Hedweld’s Trilift range of component handling equipment has had significant export success, currently exporting to 35 countries. Their export strategy is clearly articulated by the great explanation of how they reached export success by also reducing risk and cost, support from other agencies and groups over the years such as AustMine, the Entrepreneurs Programme and export assistance grants, as well as hard work and commitment. Over the last two financial years sales to South America increased by 575%. It was great to see how the challenges of export during reduced travel, international freight issues from Covid, and any perceived payment risk scenarios, were effectively overcome. Having an effective export team has been vital to Hedweld’s export success.
Click here to see all the winners!
