Australian Entrepreneur of the Year: Manny Stul of Moose Enterprise

MANNY STUL may spend his days playing around with toys – but that has proven to be his great edge in business.

Mr Stul was recently named the 2015 Australian EY Entrepreneur Of The Year (EOTY) and he will travel to Monte Carlo in June next year, where he will compete against national winners from more than 60 countries for the chance to be named the 2016 EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year. 

In 1974, Mr Stul created what became one of the largest, most innovative gift companies in Australia. Skansen Giftware listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in 1993 – and 25 years later, he took control of Moose Enterprise. It has since grown from 10 people to more than 200.

Moose Enterprise designs toy products in Australia and develops, manufactures and distributes from its factories in China and Hong Kong to more than 80 countries. It is the fourth largest toy brand in Australia and is today the eighth largest in the US.

Mr Stul won the prestigious Australian EY EOTY title ahead of 27 other national finalists and was presented at an awards dinner held in Sydney recently.

Chair of the independent judging panel, Glen Richards, the founder and non-executive director of Greencross Limited, said the judges were impressed by Mr Stul’s persistent determination to develop innovative, high quality toys in an extremely competitive global market.

“Moose Enterprise is an Australian company that is taking on the world by combining an incredibly innovative local design team with the cost advantages of low cost manufacturing,” Dr Richards said.

“Manny has demonstrated an ability to understand the demographic of his target market and deliver high quality, innovative toys that are now attracting extraordinary demand from retailers around the world.”

Eight other fantastic Australian entrepreneurs also took home national trophies from the awards ceremony.

They were Kayla Itsines and Tobias Pearce of The Bikini Body Training Company; James Spenceley of Vocus Communications Limited; Cyan Ta’eed and Collis Ta’eed of Envato; James Muecke of Sight for All; Timothy Power of 3P Learning Limited; and Brian White, of Ray White Real Estate.

EY Oceania CEO and area managing partner, Tony Johnson congratulated the winners, saying the winning entrepreneurs’ stories provided inspiration and valuable lessons for those aspiring to emulate them.

“Entrepreneurs have an eye for opportunities and take calculated risks,” Mr Johnson said. “They drive job creation, spark innovation and grow our economy. It’s for these reasons that EY has a long-term commitment to recognising and supporting the best entrepreneurs from Australia and around the world.

“This year we celebrate the 15th anniversary of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year awards in Australia. And every year we see the incredible talent and enthusiasm that Australian entrepreneurs bring to the table.

“On behalf of EY, I congratulate all of our 2015 national category winners for their innovative ideas, determination and entrepreneurial spirit. I wish Manny Stul all the best when representing Australia at the World EY Entrepreneur Of The Year awards in Monte Carlo next year.

“I’d also like to congratulate Brian White AO, chairman of Ray White Group, for being named as the first Australian winner of the EY Family Business Award of Excellence,” Mr Johnson said.

“Family businesses face unique challenges and the White family has navigated these challenges with great success for three generations. Ray White Group is a testament to the economic and social value that entrepreneurial families contribute.”

Commonwealth Bank group executive or business and private banking, Adam Bennett, said,

“The Commonwealth Bank recognises the great value entrepreneurs bring as innovators that find new solutions to old problems. We look to entrepreneurs as beacons of innovation and leadership. Their achievements and drive inspire the broader business community.

“Congratulations to all of the finalists and especially Manny Stul, this year’s Australian Entrepreneur Of The Year,” he said.

www.ey.com/au/eoy.

2015 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year national winners, by category:

Australian Entrepreneur Of The Year and Industry category – Manny Stul, Moose Enterprise Holdings & Controlled Entities

Emerging category – Kayla Itsines and Tobias Pearce, The Bikini Body Training Company

Listed category – James Spenceley, Vocus Communications Limited

Services category – Cyan Ta’eed and Collis Ta’eed, Envato

Social entrepreneur – Dr James Muecke AM, Sight for All

Technology category – Timothy Power, 3P Learning Limited

EY Family Business Award of Excellence –  Brian White, Ray White Real Estate

 

Ends