50 Favourite Exporters

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Porosus Pty Ltd

•         Exporting since: 1982

•         Key markets: Europe.

Crocodylus Porosus, otherwise known as the Australian saltwater crocodile, has a worldwide reputation thanks to popular media depictions of the outback. Porosus is a commercial farm with more than 36,000 crocodiles and just 39 staff on a 70-hectare property.

The Darwin company exports in two ways, primarily through the trade of trophy skins, crocodile leather, meat and by-products but also as a tourist attraction. While the crocodile is a primitive creature, the science and farming techniques used to breed them at export quality has become increasingly sophisticated, and they end up as material for major European fashion houses.

Sales from last year hit the $2.5 million mark, and current export levels are eight times more than five years ago following the upgrade of Porosus’ Darwin Crocodile Farm. This increase marks the move from crocodile farming as a cottage industry to a global enterprise, which is where Porosus leads.

Safaritrek International

Exporting since: 2004

Key markets: Africa, Middle East, Asia.

Founded 20 years ago by Dave Gyles, Safaritrek International has only been exporting for the past three years. But they’re learning fast, and now 80 percent of their business is made from exports to South Africa, Zambia, Kenya, Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai, and Canada, among others.

Originally the business started as a tour and cruise boat operation, but moved into designing and installing eco-friendly lodges and other related services after a trip to South Africa. To the surprise of Safaritrek International’s 10 employees, their mosquito catching machine has also been proven to be excellent at trapping the coco moth that destroys thousands of coco pods each year in Southeast Asia, costing the chocolate industry millions.

Alongside their unique product, Safaritrek International offers reasonable prices, and takes pride in customer service and relations.

Pensyl

Exporting since: 2005

Key markets: Southeast Asia.

In business only a few years, Pensyl now devotes 100 percent of its time to exporting. Most of their timber saw logs are shipped to Southeast Asia.

With only four full-time employees, and casual workers at shipping times, they’re a small group, but are doing some big business. Pensyl, founded by John Young, is a fully owned subsidiary of Great Southern Limited.

Operating in the Tiwi Islands, this business has a unique partnership with the traditional indigenous landowners. Together they are working to develop a long-term sustainable forestry industry on the islands. As a result, this remote Australian community has seen an increase in employment, training, and infrastructure.

Pensyl’s commitment to sustainability and developing long-term relationships has paid off, and now they’re racing to meet Southeast Asia’s forestry needs.

Maningrida Arts & Culture

Exporting since: the late 1990s

Key markets: UK, France, Switzerland, Middle East, US.

Spreading Aboriginal art and culture throughout the world, it was only in 2004 that the Maningrida community actively extended their export program through exhibitions, cultural programs, and a commitment to excellence. Now their artistic and knowledge-based assets are exported to Europe, the Middle East, and the US.

The business may only have nine employees, but they have a much larger pool of artists, contributing to their diverse range of art forms at different price ranges.

Maningrida Arts and Culture makes a point of educating the market about Aboriginal art and its value, and securing partnerships with national and international museums and galleries, to create buyer confidence.

Yet there have been hurdles, and when an exhibition to be viewed privately by the Queen of Bahrain was held up at customs, the Maningrida team worked through the night to hang the show.