The theme of the 2025 Hunter Manufacturing Awards (HMA), Forging Our Future, certainly rang true at NEX during the week.
From start-ups and apprentices to global exporters and century-old innovators, the 30 October gala extravaganza celebrated a sector on the rise.
Now in its 21st year, the event drew a record number of entries, more than 50% up on 2024, showcasing the ingenuity, craftsmanship and courage that continue to define the industry across the Hunter, Central Coast, Mid-North Coast and New England.
“Manufacturing in the region is more diverse, more advanced and more connected to the world than ever before,” HMA chair Jacqui 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.”
2025 Hunter Manufacturing Awards major winners
- 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 – 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
2025 category winners
- 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
For more business stories:
- Peak Physio expands with New Lambton clinic
- Hunter-based NGM Group posts $117m profit, $23b in assets
- Teeth On Implants expands across Newcastle
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