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Soft Serve manufacturer Frosty Boy has taken out the 2023 Queensland Exporter of the Year, while Gunggari woman Charmaine Saunders won the inaugural First Nations Category and Dr Chamindika Konara claimed the Women in International Business Award.
The Iconic Gold Coast soft serve and beverage manufacturer won the main honour at the Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards 2023 Gala Dinner, after the company doubled its yearly sales to Indonesia.
The win for Frosty Boy comes after its revenue in India also grew by 200 per cent and 95 per cent in the Middle East over the past two years.
Exporting since 2001, Frosty Boy manufactures up to two million soft serves per day at its Yatala factory and exports to more than 65 countries.
The company’s impressive international growth could not be ignored by the judging panel.
Founder of Indigenous fashion brand Mainie, Mrs Saunders, won the inaugural First Nations category.
General Manager of Brisbane based medical device company Qlicksmart, Dr Konara, took home the Women in International Business Award.
Winners in the 13 national award categories automatically qualify as finalists representing Queensland at the Australian Export Awards to be held on November 30.
This year the gala awards ceremony marked the conclusion of the Queensland Trade and Investment Program, an annual event including the state’s 12 global commissioners.
The program highlights Queensland as an international trading powerhouse and attractive investment destination.
The full list of winners is:
Advanced Technologies
Healthcare Logic
Agribusiness, Food and Beverages
AgTrade
Creative Industries
EventsAir
e-Commerce
Homebodii
Emerging Exporter
Chronosoft
First Nations
Mainie Australia Pty Ltd
International Education and Training
TAFE Queensland
International Health
Qlicksmart
Manufacturing and Advanced Materials
Frosty Boy Global
Professional Services
Medical Rescue
Regional Exporter
Mort & Co
Resources and Energy
Phibion
Small Business
Genics
Sustainability and Green Economy
Paradigm Foods
Women in International Business
Dr Chamindika Konara, General Manager, Qlicksmart
Queensland Exporter of Year
Frosty Boy Global
Further information:
- Queensland’s export industry was valued at $144.3 billion in 2022-23 and supports one in five jobs in the state.
- Queensland accounts for 21.4 per cent of Australia’s national goods exports value.
- Queensland goods exports in the 12 months to August 2023 exceeds the collective of New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania.
- There are almost 7,000 goods exporters across the state with approximately 40 per cent based in regional Queensland.
- Queensland is the first state in the national awards to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned and led businesses in a dedicated award category.