Queensland exporters: A powerhouse of high achievers
The finalists in the 2022 Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards consist of a broad range of business types crossing a variety of sectors, loaded with a healthy mix of standout innovators and digital disrupters.
A few hundred Queenslanders will settle into the Brisbane Royal International Convention Centre in their best black tie as the sun sets on October 5 for the 2022 Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards.
A total of 34 companies will be competing across 13 national categories, culminating in the announcement of Queensland’s top exporter of the year. All category winners will move on to represent Queensland at the Australian Export Awards on November 24, 2022.
Some finalist names you may recognise, and some you may not. Likely the most iconic and familiar Queensland brand in the finalist list is Bundaberg, this year acknowledged for the great success of exporting their non-alcoholic craft brewed beverage range to over 60 countries.
You could arguably say that finalist Plungie is iconic in the sense that if anyone was going to disrupt the traditional swimming pool build, it had to be a Queenslander.
Plungie revolutionised the business with their unique prefabricated concrete plunge pools nicknamed ‘plungies’, which has obviously stuck. The company now enjoys great demand in North America.
The number of finalists that tackled cross industry challenges and developed solutions through smart technology is impressive. The inventive solutions are likely contributing to Queensland’s growing profile as an innovative tech hotspot.
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The tech disruptors
In the Advanced Technologies and International Health categories, finalist VALD has produced a range of hardware and software designed to assess physical movement, monitor rehab progress and provide unparalleled insight into musculoskeletal performance. VALD export their tech to elite sporting clinics, universities, scientists, universities and even defence forces in the UK, USA and Europe.
Driven by a lack of international standards of hospital management, CEO Martin Conner of Gold Coast’s Healthcare Logic developed software to support clinical management and improve hospital performance. The program is now being exported and integrated into New Zealand, Ireland and the Middle East.
Keeping company data and information secure and safe is a highly specialised field and Brisbane’s Oper8 Global have been nominated for their ICT (information and communications technology) integrators for micro-data centre security and unique consultancy services for regional banks throughout the Asia Pacific region.
Applied Mining Techniques has designed advanced tech for guiding underground mining equipment where GPS and other common survey methods aren’t possible and export through North America.
The complex solution uses robust hardware, inertial sensors and specialised navigation algorithms and a 3D web interface. You can imagine the profound impact this kind of technology has on mining operations.
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Hailing from Mackay, Real Time Instruments developed a critical tech tool for mining. Their specialised analysers help with ore and other critical mineral sorting, reducing waste and improving production. Currently, the company has over 1,000 of its AllScan Elemental Analysers active in operations across the world.
Return gig
Nominated again this year is Queensland Exporter of the Year for 2021, Next Level Racing from the Gold Coast.
Exporting their racing simulators to more than 50 countries for global events including the E3 Electronic Entertainment Expo and Gamescom, their technology is also widely used as a training tool for elite racers.
Hess Ghah, CEO and Founder of Next Level Racing said the award has had an impact on their international standing.
“Our company has been kicking some big export goals and winning the award was great public recognition,” Mr Ghah said.
“It has served to reinforce our credentials as we continue to grow our business internationally.”
Sunshine loaded with innovation
The 34 Queensland Award category finalists give a fascinating snapshot into the future. There’s a very real spirit of innovation, confidence and change permeating all the regions of this state that the whole country can be proud of.
Queensland’s key exports have rebounded from their COVID induced lows, boosting export earnings in the 12 months to July 2022, with the nominal value of overseas merchandise exports rising 105.4 per cent (or $63.1 billion) to a record high of $123.0 billion.
Exports are a significant contributor to the state’s economy with two in five export dollars generated in Australia earned by Queensland exporters.
With the support of the Government’s agency, Trade and Investment Queensland, who provide valuable support to companies preparing them for export, providing them with insights and in market and global introductions, our export future is extremely promising.
