GP Graders honoured at Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame awards

The judging criteria is weighted across promotion of advanced manufacturing initiatives, sustainability, export, sustained contribution to the manufacturing sector, quality management initiatives, size and capability and contribution to the community.

The award adds to the long list of accolades GP Graders has received since first taking out the Governor of Victoria Export award for Small to Medium Manufacturing and the Innovation Excellence award in 2012. GP Graders was also awarded the Governor of Victoria Export award for Manufacturing and the overall Victorian Exporter of the Year in2013. In 2014 GP Graders again won the Governor of Victoria Export Manufacturing Award then went on to win the Australian Exporter of the Year in Manufacturing and the overall Prime Minister’s Australian Exporter of the Year award.

“It was a great honour just to be nominated for this award,” GP Graders Managing Director Stuart Payne said. “To actually win is testament to the achievements of all GP Graders staff. We were up against some very tough competition.”

GP Graders has made significant contribution to the Victorian manufacturing sector, adding skilled jobs to the local economy, whilst having a positive impact on the State’s reputation in the fields of innovation, research and development.

GP Graders has also achieved significant international impact, with sales in excess of 80% in export markets, complementing strong national sales and revenue figures.

Stuart believes this success is due to the company’s adoption of a ‘world view’ approach.

“The impact of mentoring and developing employees to adopt a world view of GP Graders’ position in the industry, the competition we face, and the innovation required to be world leaders on a global stage really positions the business as a truly successful manufacturing story,” Payne said.

Whilst honoured by the award, Stuart will not be resting on his laurels, with plans in place to open an assembly and manufacturing facility in Chile this year, following successful integration into the US in 2013. However, the award is acknowledgement of the exceptional role local manufacturers play within the export market.