Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, together with Telstra CEO Sol Trujillo, has named Machinery Automation and Robotics (MAR) the 2008 Telstra Australian Business of the Year.

Established 21 years ago, the company provides manufacturing products that incorporate advanced robotics for production-critical industries.

The award aims to identify and profile Australia’s top achievers in small and medium businesses.

MAR competed against seven other state winners for the award, after winning NSW Business of the Year, The Panasonic Medium Business Award and the AMP Innovation Awards last month.

This year alone, the company won a $5 million US contract despite a drop of about 23 per cent in robotics orders in the US amid the credit crunch.

MAR CEO Clyde Campbell said the award was not only a great win for the business, but would also help “thrust the innovation and development of Australia’s automation and robotics industry into the spotlight”.

“Whilst we continue to tap into new global markets, we will be focusing on innovation to help local manufacturers compete in the world’s stage through delivery of smart automation of the manufacturing process,” Mr Campbell said.

Speaking at the event, Mr Rudd announced that Telstra and Austrade had set up the Export Assistance Program to help winners from the Telstra Business Awards further develop their export potential.

Mr Trujillo said small and medium businesses were the “engine room” of the Australian economy.

“The new export program being run in conjunction with Austrade will help identify those companies and entrepreneurs with real potential to help Australia boost its exports and ultimately improve its terms of trade,” he said.

  HOT PRODUCTS

Colby Drive-In Pallet Racking Low cost and versatile high-density storage  more»

UNE Partnership When you enrol in any full qualification between 1st May and 30th June 2012 you will receive 10% off the advertised course fee (valued between $180 and $470).  more»

The World's Most Important Gathering of Supply Chain Leaders How do you and your team maintain supply chain prowess in the face of today's challenges? Attend Gartner Supply Chain Executive Conference 23-24 July 2012 in Sydney. Get actionable advice for every executive on the supply chain leadership team.  more»

Dexion RDS, Controlling Every Aspect of Your Warehouse Operations RDS bridges the gap between your current systems' capability and how you envisage your distribution centre's operating potential.  more»

TOSHIBA TEC Launches Five New Industrial Barcode Label Printers with a Punchy Pr Toshiba TEC challenges the conventional thinking of the industry with top of the range barcode label printers at must-buy price point.  more»

Exceptional Melbourne Based T&D Business For Sale "Call for expression of interest" by 31 May 2012  more»

Save on Fees, Manage Your Freight Freight Management Software introduces our latest innovation - FMS Dispatcher  more»

Dexion Speedlock Pallet Racking Dexion Speedlock offers a leap forward in racking component design.  more»

Click here to view more Hot Products

Looking for a particular product?   Advanced Search.

  T&L PUBLICATIONS

	MHD Supply Chain Solutions Has been the industry leader for more than 30 years. It is the reference guide for professionals striving for effective end-to-end supply chain management...
	Diesel A bi-monthly magazine that has shaken up the Australian road transport magazine sector with sharp news stories and bold feature articles on the diverse character of the Australian trucking market...