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Sydney-based Quickstep has taken out the Defence Business of the Year Award amid stiff competition from other Australian defence industry leaders at the 2018 Optus My Business Awards.
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The Optus My Business Awards are the longest-standing business awards program in Australia, which identifies and acknowledges the achievements of Australia’s best business operators.
The Defence Business of the Year Award recognises achievement in the fields of defence-related manufacturing, technology, transportation, training and education, media and communications businesses, and was contested in 2018 by leading Australian businesses, including the Australian subsidiaries of international companies.
Managing director of Quickstep, Mark Burgess, said, "We are delighted to achieve the Defence Business of the Year award, which demonstrates our improved business platform following recent implementation of lean manufacturing programs."
Quickstep’s portfolio of long-term defence and aerospace contracts includes component manufacturing for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program, the C-130J and LM-100J military transport and commercial aircraft, and new business secured with Boeing Defense and Chemring.
"This award showcases Quickstep’s leading capability for providing reliable, well managed and innovative advanced carbon fibre manufacturing for the aerospace industry," Burgess said.
This announcement follows recent wins by Quickstep, namely the Premier's Export Awards in the NSW Defence Industries category, which recognised a variety of key export successes for 2018, with a series of contract wins, collaborations and contract expansions on key projects with major global industry partners responsible for driving the Quickstep's growth, including:
- Boeing Defense: Quickstep continued the development for two new small contracts from Boeing Defense for F-15 and F-18 components – these contracts add a new tier one customer and business platforms and part families to Quickstep's key portfolios;
- General Atomics: Quickstep is partnering with General Atomics as part of the Team Reaper tender for remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) systems. The partnership is progressing and may lead to additional project opportunities and collaboration with General Atomics;
- Airbus: Quickstep is now an approved supplier to Airbus in Australia and the south Pacific. This will allow Quickstep to formally quote for new business with Airbus in Australia Pacific; and
- US market: Quickstep appointed a senior business development leader in Q4, who will be US-based. This will allow for more regular and deeper engagement with existing and potential new US customers.
Burgess welcomed the Optus My Business Award win, saying, "This has helped us win important new business contracts, as well as achieving efficiencies for our existing defence clients."
Quickstep is an independent aerospace‐grade advanced composite manufacturer in Australia, operating from state‐of‐the‐art aerospace manufacturing facilities at Bankstown Airport in Sydney and a manufacturing and R&D/process development centre in Geelong. The group employs more than 200 people in Australia and internationally.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
