The Hunter Manufacturing Awards (HMA) celebrated its 20th anniversary by introducing a Hall of Fame, with Joss De Iuliis becoming its first inductee.
The recognition honours De Iuliis’s influence on the manufacturing sector in New South Wales’ Hunter region.
Known for his dedication to innovation and industry collaboration, De Iuliis is regarded as a driving force behind the growth of the region’s manufacturing and has elevated local businesses on the national stage.
HMA Chair Jacqui Daley stated the Hall of Fame acknowledges individuals and companies whose contributions have shaped Hunter’s manufacturing industry.
“We created this category to recognise those who have not only contributed to the growth and success of the industry but who have also lifted the people, organisations, suppliers, and customers around them,” Daley said.
“The hall of fame celebrates those who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, mentorship, and a vision for a stronger manufacturing future for the region.”
De Iuliis was instrumental in founding the HMA in 2004, sparking the idea to establish a platform for celebrating regional manufacturers.
His initial collaboration with fellow manufacturing leader Bob Cowan led to a broader initiative to spotlight Hunter’s manufacturing accomplishments.
His career includes leading businesses like Waratah Engineering, Hunter Screens, and Custom Fluidpower.
He also advocated for regional outsourcing, reshaping local industries’ approach to mining equipment refurbishment and encouraging companies like BHP to prioritise local partnerships.
In addition to his manufacturing legacy, De Iuliis is known for his acclaimed wine venture, De Iuliis Wines, which he founded in the 1990s.
The 2024 HMA ceremony continued its tradition of celebrating excellence, honouring companies across several categories:
- Excellence in Product Design: SafeGauge, for its SafeTest Tachometer and MultiTool Pro, enhancing safety in machinery maintenance.
- Collaboration Partnership Award: Allegro Energy, The Melt, and Muswellbrook Shire Council for their Microemulsion Redox Flow Battery, combining innovative energy storage with engineering expertise.
- Outstanding Start-Up Award: Allegro Energy, for its breakthroughs in energy storage technology.
- Excellence in Workforce Capability: Morgan Engineering, recognised for its in-house apprenticeship program.
- Excellence in Manufacturing Capability: Omnia Wheel, for automation investments that increased output and efficiency.
- Excellence in Export and Global Supply Chain: Whiteley, a Tomago-based leader in healthcare products with exports to 35+ countries.
- Excellence in Innovation: SAPHI, for its Shellshock AI system, enhancing safety and efficiency in industries from mining to transport.
- Rising Star Award: Jamie Woods of TW Woods Fabrication, for his leadership and operational improvements as general manager.
- Apprentice of the Year: Christie Hayward of Westrac, for her dedication to boilermaking and skill development.
- Excellence in Marketing: Out Of The Square Media and Guts Creative, for rebranding Ampcontrol as a global energy leader.
- Excellence in Sustainable Operations: Signarama Tuggerah, for its eco-friendly Olympic signage project.
- Manufacturer of the Year (Under 50 Employees): Omnia, achieving 94.2% export growth, driven by its omni wheel technology.
- Manufacturer of the Year (50+ Employees): Apollo Engineering, recognised for its innovations and $850,000 in exports to Indonesia.
- Manufacturing Leader: Peter McKinnon of Omnia, who has grown the company from three employees to an industry-leading team of 73.
As the HMA continues its mission to support the Hunter region’s manufacturing industry, it reinforces its commitment to innovation, leadership, and community development.
