Inaugural AEEMA Awards Pay Tribute To Excellence

The inaugural AEEMA Excellence Awards have recognised the achievements of a selection of Australian companies in innovation, environmental, new business, and exporting activities.

Gold sponsors of the awards were the Department of Environment and Heritage, RSA Security and Ericsson Australia. Silver sponsors were Sony and E-Hub.

The Hon Dr Sharman Stone, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, presented the inaugural AEEMA Award for Environmental Products to Mr Douglas Pitt, Managing Director of NSW manufacturer ABB Transmission and Distribution. The company designed and developed a fibre optic current sensor in collaboration with the Australian Photonics CRC in Sydney. The Australian-made device highlights the direct benefits of new fibre optic technology over conventional technologies used in current transformers.

According to the judges, ABB Transmission and Distribution achieved excellence in the design and development of the current sensor, resulting in a product that was energy-efficient, had a low environmental impact and reduced material intensity.

Email's Vacufoam packaging product received a special commendation in this category. This development, when fully commercialised, has the potential to offer considerable benefits to the company and the environment.

The Hon Dr Sharman Stone also presented the inaugural AEEMA Environmental Systems Award to Joe Hernandez, Managing Director of Victorian company Precision Circuits. The manufacturer and assembler of printed circuit boards was judged to have achieved excellence in the implementation of, and commitment to, environmental management systems for energy minimisation and waste management.

The judges considered the existence of formal processes, staff participation, follow-up monitoring and incremental improvements, and commercial benefits to the company. Precision Circuits was deemed to have best met these four judging criteria.

The inaugural AEEMA Award for Excellence and Innovation through the Supply Chain was presented to Krone (Australia) Technique, an Australian-based manufacturer of voice and data cabling infrastructure. Presenting the award, Ms Terrie Anderson, Regional Director, Australia and New Zealand, RSA Security, said the judges had looked for excellence in facilitating transactions between a business and its suppliers, distributors and retailers, in order to increase cycle time, speed and efficiency, creating value for all the participants.

Evidence assessed related to the existence of communications and collaboration through the supply chain, the outcomes achieved, and the application of technological innovation.

Krone (Australia) Technique also received the inaugural AEEMA Award for In-house Laboratories or Business Units Developing or Supporting New Business Nominations. Presenting the award, Mr Alex Gosman, General Manager, Government & Regulatory, Ericsson Australia, said the award was for excellence in the formation of partnerships or alliances to assist in the delivery of products or services, or an innovative solution to achieve compliance and across the board best practice.

The judges assessed evidence relating to systems in place in support of current procedures, in-house product development, compliance with standards, and the use for new business or products.

Russell Kenery, AEEMA President, presented the inaugural AEEMA Exporting Award to Nu-Lec Industries, now part of the Schneider Electric Group. This award recognised excellence in export growth and quality in exporting, both in meeting international standards and providing customer service; and a pro-active integrated marketing system that provides for export opportunities.

The judges assessed evidence of export growth, quality in exporting, the sustainability of the markets achieved, and the use of pro-active systems. Nu-Lec was judged to have best met these four criteria in the successful design, manufacture and export of its reclosers.

For further information please contact: Mr Angus M Robinson: tel (02) 6247 4655, 0418 488 340 or email

Ms Jennifer Liston: tel (02) 6247 4655 or email

Item provided courtesy of AEEMA.