To assist you with your application, please carefully read this document and then use the following checklist to ensure you have included all the information required.

Ensure all selection criteria are addressed on your application form.

Please note: Applications may not be accepted for judging, if all requested information / selection criteria has not been completed.

CHECKLIST

Please check box ☒, as each point is marked off.

Have you submitted your application/s using the appropriate generic application form/s from the HMA website at with all selection criteria being addressed as specified on the form/s? / ☐
Have you completed the Manufacturer of the Year Section 2? / ☐
Have you completed the company details on the front page? / ☐
Have you supplied your current company logo in high resolution colour in JPEG or TIFF and EPS file format and copied it onto your USB? / ☐
Have you supplied your company profile and copied it onto your USB?
(5 dot points) / ☐
Have you supplied your information about the product/concept and copied it onto your USB? (5 dot points) – only if a product/concept is pertinent to the category you are submitting. / ☐
Have you supplied a minimum of 2 photographs of the product/concept in high resolution TIFF or JPEG format, and copied them onto your USB? / ☐

When you have completed ALL the categories you are submitting, save them ALL onto 1 USB in theirseparate respective foldersas outlined in the Guidelines on the HMA website – – Nominate for an Award - then post the USB to the HMA, as per the details below:

CAROL McEWAN

ADMINISTRATION MANAGER

HUNTER MANUFACTURING AWARDS INC.

C/- McEWAN AND PARTNERS,

PO BOX 332

THE JUNCTION NSW 2295

OR DELIVER TO

CAROL McEWAN

ADMINISTRATION MANAGER

HUNTER MANUFACTURING AWARDS INC.

C/- McEWAN AND PARTNERS,

SUITE 1, 91 FREDERICK STREET,

MEREWETHER NSW 2291

NOTE

You may also wish to enter a submission into the Hunter Business Chamber Awards. Please visit the Hunter Business Chamber website at for more details.

SPECIAL INFORMATION relating to the HMA BOARD AWARD

The hma board award is a discretionary award.

the crITERIA FOR THE HMA BOARD AWARD ARE BASED ON THE COLLECTIVE DATA FROM ALL OTHER SUBMISSIONS A COMPANY HAS ENTERED IN, excluding the Manufacturer of the Year which is a separate nomination section.

ELIGIBILITY

➢COMPANIES NEED TO HAVE BEEN OPERATING FOR MORE THAN 18 MONTHS

➢COMPANIES NEED TO SHOW THAT THEY ARE HEADING IN A DIRECTION THAT IS BOTH POSITIVE AND VISIONARY

➢If the judge is satisfied that a submission IN ANY OF THE GENERAL Categories (safety, pEOPLE skills and development, Environmental, Product Design, innovation, manufacturing process, technology, marketing, EXPORT), possesses the relevant evidence to address the necessary criteria for the HMA Board Award, the submission will be further considered FOR THE HMA BOARD AWARD

➢The Winner of the HMA Board Award is eligible to win an award in another category, but cannot win both the HMA Board Award and the Manufacturer of the Year Award.

➢The Winner of the HMA Board Award does not need to have won an award in another CATEGORY to be eligible to BE ASSESSED FOR the HMA Board Award

➢THE WINNER OF The HMA Board Award WILL BE AWARDED THE PRIZE OF a trip for one person to an international EVENT OR trade expo that will assist the company to expand and grow and ALSO, benefit the recipientS with an opportunity to showcase THEMSELVES in the global marketplace.

➢THERE IS NO NOMINATION FORM TO BE COMPLETED FOR THIS CATEGORy

Terms and Conditions regarding the
2017 HMA Board Award

The winner of this Award will be rewarded with an overseas trip for ONE PERSON to a Trade Expo or event, pertinent to the winner's/ company's line of business.

The trip is to take place between October 2017 and October 2018 and will be arranged through the HMA's "In Kind" Travel Sponsors, helloworld, HTG, Newcastle.

The prize covers the cost of 1 economy class return airfare inclusive of taxes and insurance with Qantas Airways (Sydney-Destination-Sydney), plus $2,000 towards accommodation and incidental costs.

As a follow up to the trip, a report is to be submitted (within one month of returning from the trip) to the HMA Board of Directors. The report should demonstrate the benefits and impact of the trip on the person and/or company. The information will be used by HMA to profile and promote future Awards and will be posted on the HMA website to highlight the successful outcomes achieved by winning such a prize.

The Winner may also be requested to speak at one of the HMA's future events to share the experience of such a trip with other manufacturers.

Nominations are open to any manufacturing company that has made an application for an award in at least one or a number of the 2017listed award general categories - safety, pEOPLE skills and development, Environmental, Product Design, innovation, manufacturing process, technology, marketing, EXPORT.

HMA Board and Judging Panel

Proudly Sponsored by Major Sponsor

and

EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATION SPONSOR

Company Details

Company Name:
Address:
Suburb:
Postcode:
Website:
No. of Employees
No. of Years Company has been Operating

Contact Person Details

Contact Name:
Email:
Phone Number:
Mobile Number:

The contact person may be contacted in the case of a company/plant site visit by a judge

EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATION

Nominations are open to manufacturing companies for consideration of the Excellence in INNOVATION Award at the annual Hunter Manufacturing Awards.

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING DEFINITION BEFORE COMPLETING YOUR APPLICATION FORM TO ENSURE YOU ARE SUBMITTING IN THE CORRECT CATEGORY.

INNOVATION

To assist you with this application the judges have provided some guidelines.

What is innovation? To innovate is to make changes to something already established, especially by introducing new methods, ideas, or products. When innovation occurs, something newis introduced – mainly, a product.

The judges assessing your submission for the HMA Innovation category will be looking to ensure that your innovation has made a difference, is useful and has a potential market or better still, has already secured an established market.

When providing your answers, the “For Example” / guidelines we have suggested for each question are not intended to be exhaustive. They are designed as examples and prompts to help you understand the judges’ requirements. It is important that where you state that you have evidence in support of the specific question you are answering, you need to provide that evidence - usually, a generic brochure or company overview is not sufficient.

Nominations are open to any manufacturing company that has introduced an innovative product, process or service that has contributed to reducing costs, increasing sales, improving the quality or safety of a manufacturing company's goods or services (provide evidence of these effects where possible).

The judges will look for examples of excellence in Innovation that include, but are not limited to, aesthetics, simplicity, longevity, cost, performance, originality and impact on safety.

Note - Applicants may find that their application into the Excellence in Innovation category may also be a 'fit' for another category, such as marketing, product design, technology, manufacturing process, etc.

By adapting the information to fit the criteria of other categories you give yourself the opportunity for your product, process etc to be profiled in more than one sector.

EACH OF THE LISTED CRITERIA MUST BE ADDRESSED AND WHERE POSSIBLE, EVIDENCE PROVIDED

Photographs, drawings, etc. may be included as an ATTACHMENT to this Application Form and labelled clearly and then copied onto the USB with your Application Form, e.g. Question 3 – evidence provided/

Please address the following criteria and restrict the content of each criteria response to 200 words or less. For example; Question 1 can only have a maximum of 200 words.

EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATION

Please address the following criteria and restrict the content of each criteria response to 200 words or less. For example; Question 1 can only have a maximum of 200 words.

NOTE– Questions 1 – 6 relate to the Innovation Award and Questions 7 – 11 relate to the Manufacturer of the Year Award. Please complete all criteria to be eligible for both Awards.

Any accompanying documentation provided 'as evidence', may either be inserted as part of this form, or, as an attachment to this application. Attachments must be labelled according to the question number – e.g. question 3- evidence provided and copied onto the USB along with a copy of this form. / JUDGE'S USE ONLY / JUDGE'S USE ONLY
Please restrict the content of each criteria response to 200 words or less. / Actual Score / Criteria Value
SECTION 1 – QUESTIONS 1 – 6 – INNOVATION AWARD
  1. Describe the innovation
For example
  • What does the innovation do?
  • How does it Work?
  • Why is it innovative?
  • How does the innovation differ from what is currently available?
  • Other
/ 5
  1. Origins – How was the opportunity identified?
For example:
  • Explain how you developed / discovered the idea.
  • How did you find or identify the problem?
  • What lead you to this? Were you trying to solve a problem?
  • Other
/ 10
  1. Business Case – How was the opportunity evaluated to ensure it would create value for the organisation?
For example:
  • What market research have you undertaken?
  • Why do you believe there is a market?
  • Do you have a business plan? If yes. please provide a summary.
  • Is this part of a plan to diversify or new strategic initiative
  • Other
/ 15
  1. Implementation – How was the innovation successfully integrated into the business or taken to market?
For example:
  • What is your unique selling position?
  • What is your ‘go to’ market plan?
  • Have you identified market segments / buyers?
  • Other
/ 10
  1. Risk Management – How were these risks associated with the innovation assessed and managed?
For example:
  • Are there any risks in supply of components or services? i.e. supply chain risk? Consider the following – Safety, Environmental, Reputational Risk, Commercial – risk to existing business or product lines, Social / Corporate Responsibility
  • Other
/ 10
  1. Competitive Advantage – What makes your new product, process or service innovative? What competitive advantages have arisen from the innovation?
For example:
  • Who are your competitors?
  • What market share do they have?
  • What is your current market share? What plans do you have to grow your market share?
  • Is this innovation assisting you in diversifying into new or existing markets?
  • Other
/ 10
TOTAL / 60
SECTI0N 2 – QUESTIONS 7 – 11 - MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR AWARD
  1. Has your organisation demonstrated “world class performance” in manufacturing?
To assist you in providing the kind of information required, some examples are listed below -
  • Exports

  • International accreditation

  • Quality performance system

  • Systematic Benchmarking Approach

  • Import substitution

  • International recognition/presence
  • Other

  1. Demonstrate the sustainability of your products and services
To assist you in providing the kind of information required, some examples are listed below -
  • Demonstration of a culture of innovation
  • Carbon reduction/energy saving initiatives
  • Recyclability of product or part thereof
  • Excellent OH&S
  • Waste reduction initiatives
  • Nimble adaptation to changing markets and changing market conditions
  • What capex has taken place (capex shapes the direction of the business)
  • Other

  1. Demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement process
To assist you in providing the kind of information required, some examples are listed below -
  • Improvements in design/research effort
  • Improvements in manufacturing capability and productivity
  • Improvements in employee skills
  • Improvements in marketing eg digital moves
  • Engagement in expo’s/fairs
  • Formal Quality Management System
  • Improvements in procurement, inventory, warehousing, distribution
  • Improvements in systems
  • Improvements in safety
  • Reduction in waste/LEAN program
  • Other
  1. What is your management Philosophy and Employee Commitment?
To assist you in providing the kind of information required, some examples are listed below -
  • Apprentices employed

  • Learning/Up-skilling provided

  • Safety ethos

  • Employee engagement and empowerment

  • Is there a discernable philosophy/code of conduct?

  • Is there a bonus arrangement in place

  • Formal employee recognition process

  • Culture and worship of longevity of service

  • Overseas travel or other novel employee awards

  • Employee information days/meetings
  • Other

11. Can your company demonstrate Community Support and Involvement ?
Donations/Sponsorship
Research grants etc
Education/Training/Schools
Community or employee health/lifestyle enhancement or education
Environment protection or improvement
Support for Sport
Work Place Giving
Personal community involvement
Indigenous assistance
Manufacturing industry involvement
  1. Can your company demonstrate Community Support and Involvement?
To assist you in providing the kind of information required, some examples are listed below –
  • Donations/Sponsorship

  • Research grants etc

  • Education/Training/Schools

  • Community or employee health/lifestyle enhancement or education

  • Environment protection or improvement

  • Support for Sport

  • Work Place Giving

  • Personal community involvement

  • Indigenous assistance

  • Manufacturing industry involvement
  • Other

SECTION 1 - INNOVATION CATEGORY

Question 1: Describe the innovation (no more than 200 words)The innovation can relate to a new product or service and / or reflect innovative changes to manufacturing processes, supply chain management.Refer to Examples in the table on page 9

Question 2: Origins – How was the opportunity for the innovation identified?Refer to Examples in the table on page 9

Question 3: Business Case – How was the opportunity for the innovation evaluated to ensure it would create value for the organisation? Refer to Examples in the table on page 9

Question 4: Implementation – How was the innovation successfully integrated into the business or taken to market?Refer to Examples in the table on page 10

Question 5: Risk Management – How were these risks associated with the innovation assessed and managed?Refer to Examples in the table on page 10

Question 6: Competitive Advantage - What competitive advantages have been generated for your business through implementation of this innovation? May include improved financial or operational performance, enhanced market engagement, etc.Refer to Examples in the table on page 10

SECTION 2

MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR CRITERIA

The following questions 7 – 11 relate to the Manufacturer of the Year Award

If entering the Manufacturer of the Year category the following questions are required to be addressed

REFER TO INFORMATION ON PAGES 10, 11 and 12 to ASSIST AND GUIDE YOU WHEN RESPONDING TO THE MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR QUESTIONS

Question 7:What bench marks do you employ to ensure that your organisation continues to demonstrate "world class performance" in manufacturing?

Question 8:Demonstrate the sustainability of your products and services

Question 9:Demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement process

Question 10:What is your management Philosophy and Employee Commitment?

Question 11:Can your company demonstrate Community Support and Involvement?

HMA 2017Application for INNOVATIONAwardPage 1 of 25