From start-ups and apprentices to global exporters and century-old innovators, the 2025 Hunter Manufacturing Awards (HMA) have celebrated a sector on the rise, one that’s building the industries, technologies, and jobs of Australia’s future.

Now in its 21st year, the awards drew a record number of entries, more than 50% up on last year, showcasing the ingenuity, craftsmanship, and courage that continue to define manufacturing across the Hunter, Central Coast, Mid North Coast, and New England.

HMA Chair Jacqui Daley said the night was about recognising the strength, innovation, and resilience of a sector that is vital to Australia’s economic future.

“Manufacturing in the Hunter is more diverse, more advanced, and more connected to the world than ever before,” Ms Daley said. Our 2025 Manufacturer of the Year winners, Brain Industries and Agrana Fruit Australia, both have export at the heart of their success. They’re taking the Hunter to the world and proving that regional manufacturers can compete, and succeed, on the international stage.”

“We’re seeing extraordinary things being made right here, from Elecbrakes revolutionising towing technology through Australian-made automation, to Supacell turning everyday recyclables into sustainable insulation, and from Tomago Aluminium’s digital transformation to Design Anthology’s advanced med-tech design.”

“Manufacturing isn’t sitting quietly behind the scenes anymore. It’s the backbone of our economy, the engine of regional jobs, and the platform that will power Australia’s next great leaps in clean energy, defence capability, health, and technology.”

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley congratulated all winners and finalists, acknowledging their contribution to the region’s proud industrial legacy and future growth.

“Tonight’s celebration is the best of the Hunter on display, our ingenuity, our craftsmanship, and our courage to reimagine what’s possible,” Minister Catley said.

“This year’s Hunter Manufacturing Awards theme, Forging Our Future, could not be more fitting. It speaks to our proud industrial heritage and our bold journey into advanced, sustainable, and inclusive manufacturing.”

Major winners included:

• Manufacturer of the Year (under 50 employees): Brain Industries – recognised for strong export performance, innovation, and workforce engagement.
• Manufacturer of the Year (50 or more employees): Agrana Fruit Australia – awarded for high-quality production, innovation, and export growth.
• Hall of Fame Inductee: Varley Group (Pictured) – honoured for its extraordinary contribution to the Hunter manufacturing landscape and nearly 140 years of continuous innovation across defence, emergency services, marine, health, cyber, and more.

Category winners for 2025 are:

• Apprentice of the Year: Nicole Clifton – Regal Rexnord and HunterNet Career Connections
• Outstanding Start-Up: Australian Electric Vehicle Specialists
• Excellence in Export & Global Supply Chains: Banlaw
• Rising Star: Brandon Lane – Elecbrakes
• Excellence in Marketing: Classic Blinds & Shutters
• Excellence in Product Design: SafeGauge – Push Rod and MultiTool Pro
• Excellence in Innovation: Design Anthology
• Excellence in Manufacturing Capability: Elecbrakes
• Collaboration Partnership Award: SupaCell (iQRenew & Four Seasons Industries)
• Diversity in Manufacturing: Morgan Engineering
• Excellence in Sustainability: Downer Rail & Transit Systems
• Digital Transformation: Jaegersoft (in partnership with Tomago Aluminium)
• Excellence in Manufacturing Leadership: Tony Lobb – Brain Industries International

Winners from the 2025 HMAs will be fast-tracked as national finalists in the 2026 Australian Manufacturing Awards. Five 2024 winners were included in last week’s national awards – Apollo Engineering, Whiteley, SAPHI, WesTrac’s Apprentice of the Year Christie Hayward, and Allegro Energy – with Allegro taking home the Best Start-Up Award.