Australian Owned are proud to announce Morgan Engineering as 2022 Business of the Year. A first of its kind, the Australian Owned Business Awards recognises businesses that have demonstrated excellence and commitment to Australian operations.

The awards seek out the leading lights of the Australian business industry, looking for those whose creativity, commitment, experience and strong leadership in Australian operations have helped them achieve success in an increasingly challenging business climate. 

We received an overwhelming number of nominations for the Business of the Year Award, judged across four different categories including operations, marketing, innovation and commitment and communication.  

Morgan Engineering is at the forefront of global engineering innovation, while maintaining a strong local, Australian-owned focus. They believe that being Australian Owned is an integral part of the company’s day-to-day operations and this is reflected through their products, services, and overall business operation. 

Australian Owned General Manager, Kristy Ponting, said this was an incredible result for the first year of holding these awards.

“Leading a business to success can be a tough challenge in the best of times.  COVID-19 made a significant impact on businesses’ operational environments with many struggling to survive,” said Ms Ponting.

“The Australian Owned Business Awards were introduced to acknowledge and reward the exceptional results, dedication, expertise and sheer hard work of our Australian Owned Certified businesses and Morgan Engineering have exceeded all expectations.” 

Founded in 1975 in Singleton, Morgan Engineering has grown from a small engineering shop, supplying to local family-owned businesses, to one of the most extensive engineering suppliers in the Hunter Valley. Over 50% of Morgan Engineering’s supplier spend is through Australian family-owned businesses.

“Choosing Australian first is close to our heart in every aspect of our business operation,” said Morgan Engineering General Manager, Jeremy Brett.

“By partnering with local suppliers, we can guarantee that our customers receive that extra stamp of approval, knowing that every product and service is in line with Australian guidelines.”

Being Australian Owned is an unwritten policy for Morgan Engineering.  It is engraved into their values and how they operate. 

“Employing local talent and tradespeople into our business, we are supporting the local community by providing job opportunities – which is extremely important to our team.  We are so proud to have won this award,” concluded Mr Brett.  

You can learn more about Morgan Engineering here.

Australian Owned has a mission to support the Australian business community and give businesses the tools to grow and contribute to the long-term prosperity of this country.

Be part of Australia’s growth, support Australian Owned Certified business. You can search our Australian business register online at www.ausowned.com.au.

Fuel Crisis Highlights Need for Australian Sovereignty

18 March 2022

Australians have been reminded of the risk of supply interruptions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The war and subsequent sanctions against Russia have sent local fuel prices soaring by at least a quarter to well beyond $2 a litre in much of Australia.

Recent natural disasters and the supply pressures caused by the sanctions have shown it is vital to hold a sovereign refining capability that meets our needs during an emergency, as well as into the future.

We now currently import around 90% of our liquid fuels, much of it from Singapore, South Korea, Japan, China and the US. This is a vastly different picture from Australia’s position 20 years ago, when there were eight oil refineries located strategically around the country.

The gradual disappearance of local oil refining capacity has seen fuel storage levels drop dramatically, from 90 days supply to less than 30 days supply.

Australia’s fuel security is essential for our national security and underpins our economy.

A spokesperson for the Federal Energy Minister, Angus Taylor, said the Morrison government is taking “strong, proactive measures to further enhance our domestic fuel security.” These included subsidising the two refineries until at least mid-2027, introducing a minimum stockholding obligation to safeguard levels of key transport fuels, and increasing onshore diesel stocks by 40% with industry through a $260m grants program.

Whilst supply issues will continue, this is a timely reminder of the importance of Australian-based and owned businesses, as they are the backbone of the Australian economic landscape.  Supporting Australian owned oil suppliers will help keep more Australians employed and will invest money directly back into our communities – which we so desperately need. 

Riordan Fuels is an Aussie-owned business with 100% of their fuel produced in Geelong, Victoria.  They provide Aussies with an extensive fuel network that expands across regional Victoria, metropolitan Victoria and Southern NSW.

Officially certified as an Australian Owned business, Riordan Fuels have seven service stations and more than 40 self-service diesel tanks along with 50 private fuel tanks in its fuel distribution network which are maintained round the clock by their modern fleet of trucks & fuel tankers.

Employing over 65 people, Riordan Fuels started with a big vision to become the leader in fuel supply to regional communities and that is exactly what they have done.  They have a strong customer base and commitment to regional areas. 

“Because we are an Aussie owned family business we are part of the community which we serve,” said Riordan Fuels Owner, Robert Riordan.

“Supporting Aussie owned businesses is crucial as communities recover and rebuild post COVID-19.  It’s important to keep the country’s cities and towns active and alive.  Buying from Aussie owned businesses keeps money moving through our economy, keeps Aussies in jobs and contributes to the fabric of our communities.”

Australian Owned Certified businesses are all about Australia.  They are Australian people. In Australian communities.  Investing directly in the Australian economy. 

“It’s important to us to be part of a national initiative like Australian Owned that’s strengthening communities through jobs and investment and contributing to the long-term prosperity of this country,” said Mr Riordan. 

Is your business Australian Owned? Support the initiative by making an application for certification online at www.ausowned.com.au.

AUSTRALIA: DON’T LEAVE AUSSIE BUSINESS BEHIND

It is encouraging to see the recently unveiled national Australian logo ‘Only in Australia’ – to jump start much needed trade and investment.  

Too often we see profits meant for Australia, sent offshore with multi‐nationals paying almost no tax. When businesses are genuinely owned by Australians, profits stay here and are invested here. This is integral to our economic growth, creating new jobs and contributing to the long-term prosperity of our great country.  

A national, trusted and transparent business ownership certification is crucial if we truly believe in promoting and investing in Australia.  

Australian Owned General Manager, Kristy Ponting, said a tick box “claiming Australian ownership” is not enough. 

“Australian Owned was founded with a vision to build transparency and trust in the Australian Owned Certified logo for both business and the consumer,” said Ms Ponting.  

“The AO logo isn’t a tokentistic stamp of Aussie approval. It’s an official certification. This means that businesses can’t use the logo unless they have gone through our stringent certification process.”

Australian Owned has seen significant and rapid growth since its establishment.  This confirms that ownership and manufacturing matters to the general public and business.  

Businesses can apply for their certification via the Australian Owned website.  

ENDS

For enquiries, contact media@ausowned.com.au. 

About Australian Owned:

Australian Owned (AO) was established to promote and support businesses that are owned by Aussies.  This extends to businesses that offer services and to those who manufacture their products right here in Australia. This means profits stay here and are reinvested here, supporting Aussie jobs and growing the economy. 

When a business applies for certification, a qualified compliance team breaks down complex company structures and guarantees Australian ownership and manufacturing.

Only businesses with considerable Australian influence are awarded an Australian Owned Certified logo, signifying, and recognising that the Australian economy will benefit by the support of the business/ product bearing the logo.

Products that have the Australian Owned Certified logo on a label or product packaging are proving that their production is ‘significantly Australian’ (materials, ingredients, labour hours etc) and in recognition, have been granted approval, in accordance with the Australian Owned Certification Rules (as lodged with the ACCC), to display the Australian Owned Certified logo.  

 The trusted AO logo says:

• Transparency in ownership and manufacturing
• Due Diligence
• Quality Control
• Quality Compliance Professionals
• Application Examination
• Business Operation Evaluation
• Determination of significant Australian influence in business operations

Custom caravan manufacturer Bushtracker have been designing and building caravans for over 25 years. Having pioneered the off-road caravan concept, Bushtracker ensures that all aspects of design and construction are controlled in-house. Instead of using an assembly plant of third-party supplied products, the team at Bushtracker build every one of their caravans from the ground up at their Sunshine Coast factory, inviting their customers to come in and see for themselves how it all happens.

Being a registered Australian Owned Licensee has helped Bushtracker become recognised as a locally owned manufacturer, something that owner Matt Kurvink feels is important to promote. 

‘By supporting Australian Owned businesses you are investing in our country’s future. We all want later generations to have the opportunities we do and that comes from having a strong economy, providing jobs to Australians, and allowing business profits to remain in the country.’

Mr Kurvink believes incorporating the Australian Owned logo into their business has helped give Bushtracker an advantage over the competition, stating that a lot of his competitors ‘cannot claim the same’, and that customers will look to buy Australian if given the option.
‘The RV market is rapidly changing with more products coming from overseas. I do believe that Australian’s will choose locally owned and produced products if given the choice’ – Mr Kurvink said.

Joy Pool Systems are an Australian company that has been proudly manufacturing and distributing the highest quality AquaJoy salt & mineral swimming pool chlorinator products for over 30 years. Being an Australian manufacturer, they know exactly how difficult it can be competing against foreign companies in a market governed by price.

Since registering with Australian Owned, Joy Pool Systems have been able to promote their local ownership to a wider range of customers, giving their business a competitive advantage. This has resulted in an increase in online sales activity, but most importantly has made it easier for consumers to understand the difference in price from their overseas competitors and recognise the long term value in buying products from a locally owned manufacturer.

‘It helps customers understand why our products aren’t as price competitive as overseas made products. Australian products have strict manufacturing requirements that are designed to ensure the customer receives a quality product. This results in an additional cost that can make our product a little more expensive initially but will definitely save in the long run compared to many imported options’

‘Australians have slowly been losing control of their own products for many years now to overseas companies. Wages and taxes being paid in Australia are what keep our economy alive’

More local manufacturers like Joy Pool Systems can be found on the Australian Owned Directory.