Knotwood screws down award victory

Written on the 4 July 2016 by Gold Coast PR Company Consulting Hall

A seven-year-old Gold Coast aluminium products manufacturer that is quickly building a strong international reputation for its products has claimed a Gold Coast Business Excellence Award.

The Stapylton headquartered Knotwood, which now has 30 distributors throughout the world, was named the winner of the Manufacturing and Construction category at the award's June presentation.

General manager Brendon Galway said Knotwood had rapidly grown from a local finishing business to an international supplier of aluminium products since it was set up in July 2009.

The company specialises in manufacturing aluminium products that look like timber.

The long-lasting nature of the products and the ease of assembly has proved a hit with owners and builders alike.

"We now produce woodgrain finishes in more than 30 different colours, with each finish designed to match a natural timber,'' said Mr Galway.

"As a result the products can be used in a wide range of situations including fencing, decking, balustrading, pergolas, cladding, security doors and screens."
The company, which employs 40 people, now has more than 50 licensees throughout Australia.

"We also have over 30 distributors throughout Australia, Hawaii, the USA, the UK, Canada, NZ and South Africa whichhold stock and supply to tradespeople and homeowners in their areas,'' said Mr Galway.

The company's Gold Coast Business Excellence Award win comes hot on the heels of the business winning the "Best Outdoor Living Product" at the US National Association of Home Builders' international trade show in Las Vegas.

Mr Galway said the international expansion of the company meant it had enjoyed a 132 per cent increase in revenue during 2015-16 and it had expanded into new facilities.

"Over the past six months our production capacity and efficiency has increased drastically,'' he said.

"We have moved our headoffice and factory to a new location in Stapylton that effectively gives us more floor space and better workflow.

"Our powdercoating line also has been totally overhauled. Our old manual process was replaced by an automated line that also accommodates a manual spray line.
"The new line requires an additional staff member to run, but has more than four times the production capacity.

"The added space in the new factory also allows us to carry more stock, further reducing the timeit takes us to produce orders."

In the other award categories Brauer Industries cleaned up the Mayor's Innovation GC Award, Rocky Point Mulching collected the Environment and Sustainability honours, 5 Star Timbers claimed the Family Business Award, functional foods manufacturer Morlife swallowed the Health and Wellbeing trophy, light rail operator Keolis Downer Gold Coast received the Trades, Professions and Services ticket, beauty products company Brandpoint Distributors came up smelling of roses in the Retail, Wholesale and Distribution sector, Genesearch uncovered the Knowledge Management and Information Technology Award, Timezone Gold Coast won Tourism, Hospitality and Events Award, Local Web Experts secured the Emerging Business Award, and Clifford's Grill & Lounge food and beverage attendant Kirstyn Murphy received the Be My Guest Service Award.