50 Favourite Exporters

SA

Seed Genetics Australia

•         Exporting since: 2003

•         Key markets: North and South America, Europe, Middle East, North Africa, China.

Born global in 2003, Seed Genetics is a vertically integrated (glasshouse to buyers warehouse) seed company focused on breeding, producing and marketing its own proprietary products. Exporting more than 3,000 tonnes of alfalfa/lucerne and white clover each year to more than 17 countries, Seed Genetics was initially formed to service export markets, with 95 percent of sales coming from overseas. As well as relying on 60 skilled professional seed growers in Australia, Seed Genetics also produce seed in several overseas locations such as the US and Argentina.

Co-director, Dennis Jury, says the company’s success has been largely driven by its intellectual property, as well as selecting the best agents/representatives in major markets to link up with key importers.

Extreme Machining

•         Exporting since: 2004

•         Key markets: UK, Middle East, SE Asia.

Founded in 2002 and exporting for three years, Extreme Machining’s first export sale was to Turkmenistan (Asia).

Manufacturing drilling and surface pressure-control products for the oilfield supply industry, Extreme Machining has undergone rapid growth, clocking up $3.1 million in exports last financial year. “Every year since we’ve started we’ve doubled our revenue and our exports is where we’ll continue to grow,” says managing director, Matthew Kennedy.

As well as product quality, Extreme Machining prides itself on its service and timely delivery despite the tyranny of distance in exporting from Australia. The industry’s personnel are also very migratory, says Kennedy; so word-of-mouth has been a key marketing tool for the company. Establishing joint ventures with overseas partners also means Extreme Machining stays focused on what they do best, leaving overseas marketing, political and cultural hurdles to those on the ground.

Woodhead

•         Exporting since: 1986

•         Key markets: China, Singapore, India, Thailand, Middle East, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, the Maldives.

With its long export history and a key interest in Asia, Woodhead has undertaken projects in a number of other countries over the years.

From early beginnings designing the Newcastle and Cairns airports, airport design work has also been Woodhead’s greatest success internationally, with the company’s airport design experts speaking at conferences all over the world on how to design user-friendly airports.

With around 15 percent of the business dedicated to export projects, Woodhead also delivers architectural and design expertise in the retail, hospitality, and planning sectors globally, and now has offices in Shanghai, Bangkok, and Singapore.

Pfitzner Performance Gearboxes

•         Exporting since: 2003

•         Key markets: US, Europe, New Zealand, China, Japan, Russia.

PPG was relaunched in 2000, with exports taking off shortly after. The company produces gear sets for use in race, rally, and street cars, and thanks to its focus on innovative design and technology Pfitzner has gained a global reputation for its near “unbreakable” product, with 80 percent of business coming from overseas.

Through networking at international car racing events and trade shows, the company’s marketing manager, Tim Possingham, says they’re able to connect with the right people to get just one product into a market. “Once it’s in the market it almost sells itself on performance.”

Possingham says aligning with certain racing events, as well as direct marketing, web marketing and sponsorships have paid off internationally, and he credits Austrade’s EMDG scheme for helping them along the way.

Adventure Tours Australia

•         Exporting since: 1993

•         Key markets: UK, Europe, Asia, Benelux, North America.

Born global, Adventure Tours has always had a high percentage of customers from overseas. An Australian Export Award winner, 95 percent (or $39.5 million) of Adventure Tours’ income is generated by exports. The company offers a range of adventure tours Australia-wide, which general manager, Vicki Beard, says have earned the respect and trust of the international travel industry. She attributes the business’ export success to its unique range of tours, targeted international marketing activities, a dedicated international sales team, and advanced planning for continued growth.

The adoption of technology and real-time online capabilities has made it simpler for overseas agents to receive instant booking confirmations. However, Beard says establishing an offshore sales office six years ago, as well as continued participation in certain European trade shows, has really paid off.