November 23, 2009
In a show of strength for the State’s economy, Murarrie-based company NOJA Power Switchgear was one of four Queensland companies honoured at the Australian Exports Awards over the weekend.
Ranked 106 in the 2009 QBR Queensland 400, NOJA won the prized title of 'Australian Exporter of the Year' in addition to taking out the Large Advanced Manufacturing category.
Managing Director Neil O'Sullivan (pictured right) accepted the Prime Minister's overall award on behalf of the company from Minister for Trade and host of the evening, Simon Crean (pictured left).
Founded in 2002, NOJA designs and manufactures low and medium voltage switchgear products which are considered to be leading edge technology, eliminating the need for oil or sulfur hexafluoride insulants.
Now exporting to 70 countries, the company has 80 employees, and has just built a $7 million purpose-built facility to provide additional production capacity.
Other Queensland companies to sweep the awards include Capilano Honey (Agribusiness Award) and Wesfarmers Curragh (Minerals and Energy Award).
Toowoomba-based Russell Mineral Equipment was inducted into the Australian Export Awards Hall of Fame, only the eighth company to achieve this honour.
A company has to win an Australian Export Award three occasions to achieve this recognition.
Congratulating the 12 National Winners at a ceremony in Canberra on Friday night (November 20), Crean says collectively, the companies have generated more than $1.5 billion in export earnings and employed more than 2,400 people.
The Australian Export Awards are co-presented by Austrade and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Now in its 47th year of recognising export excellence, the Awards are one of the longest running and most prestigious business awards.