A family-owned manufacturer and exporter of custom-made agricultural machinery that began 20 years ago in a farm workshop has won top honours in the 2010 Telstra South Australian Business Awards.
Kelly Engineering has evolved from a machine-repairing hobby business in the Southern Flinders Ranges into an award-winning supplier of innovative farm machinery to markets in North America, Denmark, South Africa and New Zealand.
The Booleroo Centre business was announced Telstra South Australian Business of the Year tonight at the 18th Telstra SA Business Awards after earlier winning the Panasonic Australia Medium Business Award.
Telstra Business Group Managing Director and Ambassador for the Telstra Business Awards Deena Shiff said that South Australian winners of the five Awards categories were chosen from hotly-contested fields and all had sound business strategies to continue their current growth.
“Kelly Engineering should feel a great sense of pride because the calibre of the 14 finalists in this year’s Awards was very impressive, reflecting the strength of Australia’s small and medium business sector,”
Deena Shiff, Telstra Business Group Managing Director and Ambassador for the Telstra Business Awards
Ms. Shiff also said that South Australian winners of the five Awards categories were chosen from hotly-contested fields and all had sound business strategies to continue their current growth.
CEO Shane Kelly says the family’s farming background gives Kelly Engineering an excellent appreciation of the reliable and versatile equipment that farming customers need and expect – machinery is tested and developed on the family property. The business has been at the forefront of innovation in light tillage, harrow and weed control products that aim to contribute to sustainable agriculture. One of its most popular products, the Kelly Disc Chain Harrow, munches stubble and returns the crop residue to the soil.
Kelly Engineering employs 38 staff and is a significant employer of apprentices in SA’s northern agricultural region.
“Judges said Kelly Engineering is an impressive and socially-responsible family business that is servicing world markets with unique, patented and constantly-evolving products backed by strong customer service. They have adapted their business model by expanding globally to protect their company and employees against local market fluctuations. While financially strong, they have significant growth opportunities ahead of them.”
Deena Shiff, Telstra Business Group Managing Director and Ambassador for the Telstra Business Awards
Panasonic Australia Managing Director Steve Rust said Kelly Engineering was a very worthy winner of the Panasonic Australia Medium Business Award and must be commended for their efforts and creativity behind their business achievements.
“Panasonic applauds the innovative spirit, customer focus and openness to new business opportunities that Kelly Engineering has demonstrated. At Panasonic we believe that an intense focus on customers is vital for success in today’s business environment,”
Steve Rust, Managing Director, Panasonic Australia
Mr. Rust said Kelly Engineering was a very worthy winner of the Panasonic Australia Medium Business Award and must be commended for their efforts and creativity behind their business achievements.
To find out more about the Telstra Business Awards, visit the official site here
See all other posts about the Telstra business awards here
