Brisbane's business champions honoured by City Hall

15 January 2014
Companies on the Move

STEFAN ACKERIE recalls driving into Brisbane 50 years ago, to establish what was to become an Australian hairdressing empire, in his blue MGA roadster "people waving to me and me waving back at them". "And it's been that way ever since," he told the crowd at the Brisbane 2013 Lord Mayor's Business Awards on Friday night, where he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Stefan Ackerie.

Mr Ackerie founded Stefan Hair Fashions in 1968 and the company now boasts 50 salons throughout Queensland and New South Wales and a thriving range of hair products, while Mr Ackerie has gone on to create one of Queensland's most popular and enduring restaurants, Jo-Jo's and, through his chosen sport of offshore powerboat racing, he also developed Stefan Boating World on the Gold Coast.

Mr Ackerie said he had settled on Brisbane as a base, saying it simply seemed like paradise - especially after the tragedies he had witnessed in his native Lebanon - and he paid tribute to both the people in his organisations and the people of Brisbane.

"Brisbane's success is its people," Mr Ackerie told Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk in accepting the award and congratulating Brisbane on its business awards program. "And business success is its people. I congratulate you for recognizing that."

Mr Ackerie's emotional speech highlighted the diversity of Brisbane's business landscape and the energy the city has in developing new business ventures, many of which are succeeding in global markets.

One of those is innovative engineering firm Tritium Pty Ltd, a developer of solar and electric vehicle technologies, which won the Nova 106.9 Award for Business Innovation.

Tritium has developed a product that allows electric cars to be charged 20 times faster than a standard wall socket - Veefil Electric Vehicle Fast Charger - and the technology is already going global.

"The Lord Mayor's Business Awards celebrate the achievements and contribution made by our business community and companies like Tritium to Brisbane's $135 billion economy," Lord Mayor Quirk said.

"Tennyson-based Tritium was founded in 2001 by David Finn, James Kennedy and Paul Sernia who met as engineering students at the University of Queensland.

"They were all involved in the university's Solar Car Racing team, of which Brisbane City Council was a team sponsor, and founded Tritium to commercialise the electronic technology they developed whilst part of that team.

"Now more than half of the international competitors in the prestigious World Solar Challenge are using Tritium products. Their latest product, launched in May, is the Veefil Electric Vehicle Fast Charger which they describe as a ‘game changer' for electric vehicles.

"Without fast charging, electric cars can only be driven for just over 100km before they need to be slow charged from a wall socket for eight hours. The Veefil makes it possible for electric vehicle drivers to drive hundreds of kilometres a day and recharge in less than 30 minutes each time.

"Tritium has also been involved in some exciting projects. James Kennedy was the battery specialist on movie director James Cameron's Deep Sea Challenger electric submarine expedition to the deepest part of the world's ocean last year."

Tritium commercial director Paul Sernia said, "Recognition of the team's achievements by our local community leaders is a great encouragement for us to continue to innovate and strive to achieve more - and to keep doing it here in Brisbane."

SUSTAINABLE BRISBANE AIRPORT

Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) took out the Energex Award for Sustainability in Business at the 2013 Lord Mayor's Business Awards - on the day when the airport's second runway also got the official go-ahead.

"The judges were particularly impressed with Brisbane Airport Corporation's commitment to sustainability across all levels of business; from a personal level through to clients and customers," Cr Quirk said. "As the operators of the third largest airport in Australia by passenger numbers it is a company that continue to innovate and drive growth.

"Brisbane Airport Corporation is funding more than $2.5 billion worth of infrastructure over the next 10 years. At the same time they strive to balance economic benefits with environmental impacts."

BAC CEO and managing director, Julieanne Alroe, was thankful for the recognition and paid tribute to the BAC teams involved.

"Receiving the Energex Award for Sustainability in the 2013 Lord Mayor's Business Awards is unquestionably a wonderful recognition for what the team at Brisbane Airport has been working on and striving for to date," Ms Alroe said.

"It encourages us to continue to work with our partners to provide the best possible services and facilities to travellers from across the nation and the world and to develop the airport in a way that meets the needs of present generations and is viewed with pride by future generations."

UQ TOPS CLASS IN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION

The University of Queensland (UQ) won the ACPET Award for excellence in International Education Delivery.

Lord Mayor Quirk said this was the inaugural Excellence in International Education award, established to acknowledge that international education is Brisbane's biggest export industry, "generating $5.1 billion into the city's economy each year and generating more than 20,000 local jobs".

He said, "The award allows us to give Brisbane's international education providers the kudos they deserve.

"The University of Queensland impressed the judges with its diversity of programs, exciting level of integration, overseas grants program and the quality and combination of courses they offer students.

"The UQ Advantage Award, for example, provides undergraduate students, including those from overseas, with opportunities to extend themselves beyond the classroom, gain a better understanding of the world, and develop key competencies valued by employers."

ALIVA HAS CORPORATE HEART

Aliva, formerly known as TLC iTSolutions, won the Brisbane City Council Award for Corporate Citizenship at the 2013 Lord Mayor's Business Awards.

"Aliva is a Brisbane ICT success story and it's setting the bar high when it comes to corporate citizenship, particularly through its work with indigenous communities and support for flooded Bundaberg businesses in January," Cr Quirk said.

"Founded in 2002 by Rob Boogers and David Hawley, the Milton-based company offers an award-winning range of professional services, business software applications and staffing solutions

"Aliva is also committed to giving something back through a structured, program of gifting, staff engagement and extended community support programs.

"One of its most outstanding initiatives is supplying 600 laptops to students in remote indigenous communities via the Cathy Freeman Foundation with the first 150 delivered to students on Palm Island in June.

"When Bundaberg was hit by devastating flooding earlier this year, Aliva set up a business recovery centre to help more than 100 businesses there."

Aliva CEO David Hawley said, "Receiving this award in recognition of our work with community partners is a wonderful way to help elevate the profile of the hard work being done for example by Cathy Freeman through her Foundation. It also highlights the importance of developing computer literacy skills for indigenous and/or disadvantaged children and their families."

LIQUID STATE WINS START-UP HONOURS

South Brisbane company Liquid State won the ANZ Made in Brisbane Award for High-Growth Business Start-Up at the 2013 Lord Mayor's Business Awards.

"This year we introduced the new High Growth Business Start-Up award to recognise new companies tackling global markets and ambitious to achieve fast growth by being innovative," Cr Quirk said.

"Liquid State has created an innovative software platform that is cloud-based and is a simple, fast and economical way to produce and publish content to desktop and mobile devices.

"The company founders have focussed on the needs of both local and international markets and were the first company chosen to participate in Startupbootcamp in Berlin in 2012 where they received advice from experienced entrepreneurs and attracted interest from potential European clients.

"Liquid State is one of the exciting new breed of digital entrepreneurs with global reach that are thriving in Brisbane."

Philip Andrews, co-founder and CEO of Liquid State said he was delighted to even be nominated.

"Being named a finalist for the High-Growth Start-Up Award makes me proud, but to win it is a huge thrill. It really shows how supportive Brisbane is of the local start-up community. In return, those start-ups bring out the best in Brisbane," Mr Andrews said vid video link from Berlin, where he was attending a trade event.

DOMINO'S PIZZA SLICES INTO DIGITAL

Domino's Pizza Enterprises took out the Yellow Cab Award for Digital Champion at the 2013 Lord Mayor's Business Awards.

"This year we introduced the Digital Champion category to reward businesses capitalising on the multi-trillion-dollar, rapidly-growing digital economy," Cr Quirk said.

Domino's, which recently moved in to new custom-built headquarters at Hamilton ont he Brisbane River, which includes an international research centre, has franchises throughout Australia, New Zealand and Europe. Domino's was recognised for the early implementation and success of its digital strategy - in particular an online ordering system which raised the brand's profile, engaged interactively with customers and driven sales.

"Pizza may not seem like a technology-driven business but Domino's smart use of digital tools embodies what success can be achieved by embracing it and adapting it to your market," Cr Quirk said. "Domino's has found a way to stand out in a highly competitive sector."

Domino's Group CEO and managing director Don Meij said their win was great recognition for the digital innovations the business has made.

"We have always put our consumers' needs first and what they need is access to online ordering platforms that are quick, fast and easy to use," Mr Meij said. "It's our job to ensure people can order pizza from any device, any connection, anywhere.

"The entire Domino's team works really hard to deliver these digital advancements. This award is the credit that we are getting these innovations right."

IAN DAVIES ‘PERSON OF THE YEAR'

Senex Energy managing director Ian Davies was honoured as the Channel 7 Business Person of the Year at the 2013 Lord Mayor's Business Awards.

Ian Davies of Senex.

"Ian Davies was recognised for his leadership at the helm of Senex Energy Limited which was admitted to the S&P/ADX 200 in 2012," Cr Quirk said.

"The company has had encouraging results from its targeted unconventional gas exploration program in the Cooper Basin and also has strategically located coal seam gas acreage in the Surat Basin.

"Ian is a Brisbane success story which was one of the attributes that impressed the judges. After graduating from Queensland University of Technology he began his career in the Energy and Mining division of PricewaterhouseCoopers in Brisbane.

"He went on to work as an investment banker with Barclays Capital in London but returned to Brisbane in 2007 to take up a position with QGC prior to joining Senex in 2010 where he manages a team of 170 people."

Mr Davies said Brisbane was a terrific place to grow a business.

"Brisbane has proven to be a great base for Australia's growing energy sector. We owe a lot to Brisbane and its vibrant community for playing an important role in our success to date and we look forward to this continuing," Mr Davies said.

GOOD PRICE PHARMACY'S ANTHONY YAP WINS WITH YOUTH

Good Price Pharmacy Warehouse chain founder Anthony Yap was named Brisbanetimes.com.au Young Business Person of the Year at the 2013 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards.

Mr Yap, now 34, purchased his first pharmacy with Hahn Luu in 2001 at the age of 23. He began with just $50,000 in savings and a bank loan.

In 2003 he created the Good Price Pharmacy Warehouse brand, a concept that teams a large product range with a low price strategy.

“Anthony is a Brisbane success story – he studied pharmacy at University of Queensland, learnt the retail side of the business, had great vision from a very young age and he’s continued to develop his outstanding business model,” Cr Quirk said.

Mr Yap said his business strategy focussed on passion, perseverance and people.

“I am extremely excited and honoured to win the award as it recognises all the hard work the team at Good Price Pharmacy Warehouse have put in over the last 12 years to make our brand what it is today,” Mr Yap said.

“Their shared passion and vision has helped Good Price Pharmacy develop from just one store and one full time employee in 2001 to over 40 stores, across six states and more than 700 employees."

ONE HARVEST WINS INVESTMENT HONOURS

Leading fresh produce business, One Harvest Pty Ltd, which supplies packaged fresh produce to major supermarkets around Australia, has won the 4impact Award for New Investment at the 2013 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards.

The third generation Wacol-based company, which employs up to 1000 staff and supplies a range of fresh produce to supermarkets and greengrocers nationally, was recognised for its $13 million investment in the expansion of its Brisbane production facility at Wacol.

“The judges were particularly impressed with how One Harvest has been a real innovator in a traditional industry,” Cr Quirk said.

“They’ve extended the scope of a fresh produce supplier to develop a range of products like pre-packed salads and stir-fry vegetables, which have proved so popular that a large-scale investment was necessary to meet demand.”

One Harvest general manager for corporate marketing and communications, Brenda Walker, said the company took pride in being one of the most advanced and innovative fresh produce companies in Australia.

‘We generally go about things pretty quietly but are nonetheless proud of our continued success and ability to keep growing and investing in our business,” Ms Walker said.

“Winning the Lord Mayor’s Business Award is a great and highly-appreciated acknowledgement of the work we are doing and we are both delighted and humbled to be singled out from such an impressive bunch of finalists.”

BLUE SKY TAKES PLATINUM

Blue Sky Alternative Investments Limited was awarded the pinnacle honour at the 2013 Lord Mayor's Business Awards at City hall, winning the supreme Optus Business Platinum Award and the Australia TradeCoast Award for Business Growth.

The only double award winner at this year's awards, Blue Sky Alternative Investments, which has its office in Brisbane's CBD, was lauded for its tenacity in starting up and flourishing during the global financial crisis.

"The judges were particularly impressed that Blue Sky was able to commence business during the GFC, negotiate a volatile business landscape and prosper," Cr Quirk said.

Founder of Blue Sky Alternative Investments Mark Sowerby said his company's win was great for the business and the team.

"The entire awards process makes you stop and look back at the journey, and gives you the inspiration and energy to achieve more," Mr Sowerby said.

Blue Sky has also been behind some of the most significant investments in Australian growth companies in areas as diverse as ICT, water rights and tourism property.

CEO of economic development board and awards organiser Brisbane Marketing John Aitken said the 2013 awards attracted a record number of entries.

"As the city's economic development board, Brisbane Marketing fosters growth in key areas reflected by the categories of the Lord Mayor's Business Awards," Mr Aitken said.

"The awards reward and celebrate companies that are champions for Brisbane's growth industries and inspire others to become business leaders.

"Brisbane is Australia's new world city and our innovative, entrepreneurial business community leads the way in creating a dynamic economic environment and setting a benchmark for other cities in the Asia Pacific region.

"Thank you to our award sponsors: Australia TradeCoast, Brisbane City Council, BDO, Brisbane Times, Channel Seven, Energex, NOVA 106.9, 4impact, Yellow Cab, ANZ and ACPET for their support."

http://www.lmba.com.au/

2013 LORD MAYOR'S BUSINESS AWARDS WINNERS:

Optus Business Platinum Award and Australia TradeCoast Award for Business Growth

Blue Sky Alternative Investments Limited (http://www.blueskyfunds.com.au/)

Channel 7 Business Person of the Year

Ian Davies - Senex Energy (http://www.senexenergy.com.au/)

Brisbanetimes.com.au Award for Young Business Person of the Year

Anthony Yap - Good Price Pharmacy Warehouse (http://www.goodpricepharmacy.com.au/)

Lifetime Achievement

Stefan Ackerie - Stefan's Hair Fashions (http://www.stefan.com.au/)

Brisbane City Council Award for Corporate Citizenship

Aliva (formerly TLC iTSolutions)