2010 Queensland Winners

When the staff at Calamvale Veterinary Clinic on Brisbane’s southside say they pride themselves on treating animals in their care as their own, they have good reason. Business owner Dr Sophie Colonna has nine pets and each member of her team has at least two animals at home. The clinic’s delivery of outstanding pet care was recognised early in 2010 when it won an Australian Veterinary Association/Pfizer Animal Health Practices of Excellence in Customer Service Award. Sophie took over an existing practice three years ago and offers a full range of consultation, orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery, grooming and other services. She initiated a rewards program for customers to promote preventative care and encourage compliance with vaccination and other annual checks. Sophie also developed a team consulting approach which increases the traditional role of veterinary nurses in preventative care and treatment at the Calamvale clinic.

“Veterinary care is a very personal service for family members,” — Dr Sophie Colonna, Owner.

Anthony Freeman says his hydraulic and fire service consultancy strives to provide clients with the most logical design solution for major commercial and residential construction projects. Hence the inclusion of logical in the name of the Underwood based business, Aqualogical Pty Ltd. Launched by two former workmates as a business serving small retail clients such as shopfitters and interior designers, Aqualogical’s growth since mid-2006 has won it a role on major projects in south-east Queensland. The business provides advice on plumbing and fire protection services, design and documentation, certification and other skills. Its design principles ensure services are built to last and Aqualogical has contributed to the $70 million Southbank Student Village, Brisbane’s 6 Green Star rated office tower at 123 Albert Street and many food processing projects.

“We believe our responsiveness in evaluating our clients’ needs and our attention to detail in reviewing documentation is second to none.” – Anthony Freeman, Managing Director.

East Brisbane distributor Abacus ALS has always faced competition from global rivals, considering about 98 per cent of the in vitro diagnostic products sold in Australia are imported. Identifying a market gap for a local distributor of diagnostic pathology and medical research solutions to healthcare practitioners, Bruce Evans created Abacus Diagnostics in 1998. Since a merger with Australian Laboratory Services in 2007, the successfully-integrated Abacus ALS is growing strongly at five times the industry rate. Abacus ALS distributes internationally manufactured products for critical care, allergy and auto-immunity, bone and mineral testing and blood banking. In 2006, Abacus won a tender to supply blood gas instrumentation to PathWest Laboratories in WA, a breakthrough for the company in the public pathology market. From a one-man operation in a home study, Bruce now leads a business with 42 employees and offices in four states and New Zealand.

“It’s difficult to differentiate on diagnostic products alone so we look towards service to outperform our competitors.” – Lisa Perkins, Marketing Manager.

Brisbane management consultants Signmanager built an innovative web based system which allows clients to project manage their brands more effectively. Signmanager calls its service branded asset management which traditionally has been a huge task for corporations with a signage portfolio across tens of thousands of assets. Signage can be as complex as small construction projects given the many stakeholders, regulations and materials involved. Due to decentralised procurement, corporations may not get the best value for their signage spend. Signmanager’s online portal, with photographs, dimensions and floor plans, gives clients real-time data and centralised control over their signage assets, as well as a consistent brand image in their retail network. It enables Signmanager to track assets, implement brand changes and undertake maintenance quickly for their clients. The company says it delivers savings of 30 per cent in brand asset procurement and 75 per cent in internal resources managing the processes.

“One fifth of our staff is dedicated to research and development and most of the company’s profits are channelled back into this area.” – Alan Hadley, Director.

Northern Project Contracting (NPC) is an Indigenous-owned company that started in North Queensland and specialises in contracting and training services for the mining and civil construction industries. It was established in 2004 as a joint venture between the commercial arm of the Waanyi Nation Aboriginal Corporation and an experienced mining contractor. Since 2008, when the Indigenous company bought out its partner, NPC has grown rapidly with offices in northern, southern and western Queensland. NPC enables Indigenous communities to take part in wealth-generating activities on their traditional lands and now employs 100 people, 80 per cent of whom are Indigenous. In response to labour and skills shortages in the industries, NPC established its Mobile Mining and Civil School to train Indigenous people for plant operating and construction roles in the industry. Its key aim is to promote joint-ventures between the industry and other Indigenous groups.

“NPC’s staff retention rate is double the industry average for Indigenous workers which is testament to its strong focus on understanding Indigenous culture while being commercially viable.” – Derek Flucker, Director.