March 2024

From more than 5,500 entrants, less than 30 have made the Manufacturing and Food Manufacturing Finalists Lists of the 2024 Australian Small Business Champion Awards – the nation’s pinnacle recognition awards programme that celebrates the achievements and considerable economic, social and cultural contribution of today’s 2.5 million small business operators from right across the country. This year marks the 26th consecutive year of the Champion Awards and its most successful year to-date, with more entries received this year than any year prior. Free to enter and judged by an independent panel with small business experience, the Awards specifically highlight the finest of Australia’s small businesses in the retail, services, and manufacturing industries across a total of more than 100 categories. An independent national survey recently commissioned by Precedent Productions, which coordinates the Awards, found that an overwhelming majority (74 per cent) of Australian small businesses would rather purchase from an Australian manufacturer or supplier even if it meant paying more. Steve Loe, Founder of the Australian Small Business Champion Awards and Managing Director of Precedent Productions, says now more than ever is the time to strongly support the nation’s most hardest working sector. “I believe the resilience of Australia’s small business community is more evident today than ever before in recent memory, and it is absolutely deserving of national recognition. “The remarkable quantity and quality of submissions we received this year is testament to the triumphant spirit of so many small business operators – absolutely including those from manufacturing industries. We’re very much looking forward to celebrating the very best of this nation’s small businesspeople in spectacular style this April,” adds Mr Loe. Winners of the 2024 Australian Small Business Champion Awards will be revealed via two National Presentation Evening Gala events at Sydney’s The Star on 12 and 13 […]

  Hydraulink Newcastle Branch Service Technician, Lara Richardson, right, with Branch Manager, Tim Ferris, left. A woman helping to serve the hydraulics industry in the busy Newcastle NSW region, is placing a strong and enduring focus on providing high quality, friendly, and efficient service. Lara Richardson is a Branch Service Technician with Hydraulink Newcastle, part of the national Hydraulink hydraulic hose and service network, which includes 13 company-owned sites in Australia, 135 network partners, and 150 service vehicles offering 24/7 onsite and mobile services. Hydraulink Newcastle serves a broad diversity of industry, including mining, earthmoving, civil works, industrial, councils, and farming. Lara’s role is in the workshop, where she makes hydraulic hoses, responds to quotes, and has a direct customer-facing role, as she solves hydraulic problems. “I really enjoy all aspects of my role, and our customers appreciate that we can get the job done quickly. Sometimes they’ve been told elsewhere that a job takes an hour, so they’ve come to Hydraulink, and we know that’s a five minute task, so we get it happening right away,” says Lara. “Of course, some jobs do take more than an hour, so we always give a realistic estimate, while striving to minimise downtime so a customer can get their machine back up and running, and earning them money again,” she adds. Embrace the challenge Lara understands that the hydraulics industry comes with a range of challenges, but sees this as a positive sign and encourages everyone to give it a go. “As long as you’ve got a supportive team around you, like I do here at Hydraulink Newcastle, the challenges are what makes the day interesting. Everyone here, from the Branch Manager Tim Ferris, through to all the staff, are supportive and helpful, so it gives me the confidence to put my […]

Women in Hydraulink: Lisa Wise relishes problem-solving job A woman grasping her hydraulics career with both hands (literally), is enjoying the problem-solving nature of a job where no two days are the same. Lisa Wise is a Hydraulic Sales and Service Technician (HSST) based on the Gold Coast, part of the national Hydraulink hydraulic hose and service network, which includes 13 company-owned sites in Australia, 135 network partners, and 150 service vehicles offering 24/7 onsite and mobile services. Hydraulink Gold Coast services industries including earthmoving, civil contracting, trucking and transport, and a broad range of industrial companies with machinery powered by hydraulics. “Customers value that we’re friendly, fast, and solutions-focused, so we can get their machinery back up and running again,” says Lisa. “For some customers, machinery downtime means they aren’t earning money for that period, so they really appreciate that we do everything we can to solve their hydraulics problems quickly, and with uniform standards of quality and safety,” she adds. Lisa’s job includes working on machinery and trucks, as well as making hydraulic hoses to customer specifications, and resealing hydraulic cylinders. “I love this role because no two days are the same. We have to think quickly, get our hands dirty, and come up with new solutions. You never get bored!” she says. Supportive atmosphere In the lead up to International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8, Lisa reflects on working in the hydraulics industry, which is one that typically attracts more men than women to join the profession each year. “For any woman that’s mechanically minded, likes working with machinery, and enjoys problem solving, I’d encourage them to give it a go,” she says. This year’s IWD theme is “inspire inclusion,” so Lisa hopes to inspire others and continue to foster the supportive environment she has experienced […]