Heatcraft Refrigeration Products in Australia was recently named a finalist for the 2005 Western Sydney Industry Most Outstanding Large Business award.

The Western Sydney Industry Awards recognise excellence, innovation, and leadership of businesses and individuals and acknowledge businesses’ contributions in the Greater Western Sydney region. Awards were presented in five categories – Global Excellence, Excellence in Innovation, Leader in Business Practice, Regional Excellence, and Entrepreneur of the Year.

Western Sydney is a major economic hub for Sydney and New South Wales and is the fastest growing region in the area. It is expected to generate more than $61 billion in economic output in 2005, an $8 billion increase from previous figures.

Heatcraft Australia general manager Graham Brown said being named a finalist for the award is a great honour because of the size of the Western Sydney region, the number of entrants, and the assessment method.

“We were selected into the most prestigious category – Global Excellence,” he said. “The main reason that I believe we were awarded finalist status is that we have demonstrated that we can compete in a market that has little barriers to global competitors and we are applying world class practices to do so.”

Last year, Heatcraft Australia received the prestigious Bankstown City Industry and Export Award for Excellence in Manufacturing. The Excellence in Manufacturing award recognises the role manufacturers play as employers and strives to recognise and feature leading businesses from within this sector. The Bankstown City Industry and Export Awards are a precursor to the Western Sydney Industry Awards, which are organised by the Minister of Western Sydney.

Heatcraft Australia has 727 employees and 326 of them are employed at the Milperra site. Heatcraft Australia designs and manufactures refrigeration and air conditioning products and components for the HVACR industry.