The 2019 Hunter Manufacturing Awards (HMA) will celebrate the new world of diverse and advanced manufacturing, with applications due to close on 31 August.

Designed to inspire and encourage vibrant and enduring manufacturing in the region, the HMAs recognise and showcase excellence across innovation, product design, technology, emerging talent, exported goods, environmental initiatives, manufacturing process, and skills development.

Within the Hunter’s manufacturing sector, more than 1,500 businesses employ 30,000 people supplying to companies across mining, defence, chemical processing, construction, and energy generation and distribution

The Hunter’s manufacturers are not only keeping pace – they are leading the way nationally and internationally. They are the leaders and innovators who work across networks and supply chains. They are outward-looking with a business strategy that is future-focused and agile.

HMA Chairman and Managing Director of Advitech Group, Mr Steven Smith, said manufacturing formed a proud part of the Hunter’s DNA.

“We acknowledge the significance of the region’s manufacturing history, and we are committed to ensuring manufacturing continues to play an integral role in inventing the region’s future.

“Manufacturing today is being driven by innovators and collaborators working across networks and supply chains. Successful enterprises are outward-looking with a business strategy that is future-focused and agile.”

“With nominations open for the 2019 Hunter Manufacturing Awards until 31 August, I encourage the community to put forward organisations, to highlight excellence across innovation, product design, technology, emerging talent and more.”

Lucky draw holiday prize

In recognition of the human resource and time commitment required to prepare an application, HMA is offering an incentive in the form of a holiday for two people.

The prize covers the cost of two economy class, return airfares inclusive of taxes and insurance with Qantas Airways from Sydney to any Australian or New Zealand destination, plus $2,000 towards accommodation and incidental costs. All finalist company names will placed into the draw and the lucky winner will be chosen randomly.

The winner of the HMA Board Award and the Manufacturer of the Year will each win an overseas trip to attend a trade expo or event, relevant to the winner’s line of business. Each winner will receive one economy class return airfare, plus $2,000 towards accommodation and incidental costs.

The prizes are made available through HMA and its travel partner, Helloworld Business Travel – Newcastle. 

To apply visit the Hunter Manufacturing Awards website www.hma.org.au. Applications close on 31 August.

The HMA Awards Night will be held on Friday 11 October at the Newcastle Exhibition and Convention Centre, King Street Newcastle. Tickets will be available via the facebook event and EventBrite.