From premium lamb produced in the Riverina to advanced manufacturing in Griffith, bespoke furniture in the Illawarra and artificial intelligence developed in Newcastle, six regional NSW businesses have emerged as winners at the 2026 NSW Export Awards.
A family-owned meat business from Gundagai has been named NSW Exporter of the Year, heading a strong showing by regional businesses whose products and technologies are finding customers around the world.
Gundagai Lamb claimed the state’s highest export honour at the awards ceremony in Sydney on 28 October, while Griffith-based Flavourtech won the Regional Exporter category and Newcastle technology company Pitcrew AI took out the Resources and Energy award.
Also among the winners were Leatherwood Bespoke Rosin, based near Orange, which claimed the Small Business Award, and Illawarra-based Poseidon Animal Health, winner of the First Nations Exporter Award.
They were joined by HEGI, a furniture design and manufacturing business from Albion Park in the Illawarra, which won the Emerging Exporter Award.
Together, the six businesses demonstrate the breadth of regional NSW’s export economy, turning local expertise, specialised products and innovation into international commercial success.
From Gundagai to the world
For Gundagai Lamb, the award recognises more than a century of family involvement in Australia’s meat industry and an ambitious approach to changing how lamb is produced, measured and marketed.
Founded by the Barton family, the business has built international markets for premium Australian lamb while investing in technology designed to improve meat quality, processing efficiency and returns to producers.
Its approach uses advanced measurement technology to assess characteristics including intramuscular fat and lean meat yield, providing producers with detailed information about the quality of their livestock.
The system supports a shift towards rewarding producers for meat quality rather than relying principally on carcass weight, helping strengthen the connection between on-farm production and consumer demand.
Gundagai Lamb CEO Will Barton said the company’s success reflected a willingness to challenge established industry practices.
“Gundagai Lamb has never stood still, constantly innovating to change how lamb is measured and valued, ensuring it earns its place on tables across the globe.”
The company’s investment in innovation also demonstrates how regional agribusinesses can move beyond commodity production, creating additional value through technology, product differentiation and international market development.
Griffith manufacturing technology reaches 60 countries
Another Riverina business, Flavourtech, was recognised for its success in exporting specialised manufacturing technology to customers in more than 60 countries.
Established in 1987, the Griffith-based company develops equipment used to recover aromas, extract ingredients and manage evaporation processes in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries.
Its technology has applications ranging from coffee production to low and zero-alcohol beverages.
In December 2025, Flavourtech opened an expanded headquarters and manufacturing facility in Griffith, increasing its capacity to produce equipment for international customers and accommodate future workforce growth.
The investment reinforces the Riverina’s capabilities in advanced manufacturing, demonstrating that sophisticated, export-oriented technology businesses can establish and expand their operations outside metropolitan centres.
Flavourtech CEO Leon Skaliotis said the awards provided an opportunity to showcase the achievements of regional manufacturers.
“They have allowed us to demonstrate that innovative food and beverage technology developed, engineered and produced in regional NSW can compete on the world stage and earn the trust of customers in more than 60 countries.”
Hunter-developed AI tackles global transport challenges
Newcastle-based Pitcrew AI’s win in the Resources and Energy category highlights the growing international reach of technology developed in the Hunter.
The company has created an autonomous inspection system that combines thermal imaging, computer vision and artificial intelligence to identify potential tyre problems in heavy vehicles.
Designed to improve safety and reduce costly equipment downtime, the technology is now deployed across Australia, North America, South America, Africa and Asia.
Pitcrew AI CEO Tim Snell said the business had grown from a small Hunter-based team working to solve problems associated with heat-related failures in heavy vehicles.
“What began with a small team in the NSW Hunter developing solutions to reduce heat-related failures in tyres, brakes and bearings has grown into an export success, helping improve safety and reliability for heavy vehicle fleets on five continents.”
Its achievements reflect the Hunter’s capacity to develop and commercialise technology for global industries, building on the region’s established strengths in engineering, resources and industrial innovation.
From Orange to the Illawarra, specialised businesses find global markets
Three further award winners demonstrate how smaller regional businesses are finding international markets for highly specialised products, from handcrafted musical accessories to animal health supplements and designer furniture.
Near Orange, Leatherwood Bespoke Rosin took out the Small Business Award for its success producing and exporting handcrafted rosin used by violin, viola and cello players.
Founded by professional violinist Andrew Baker, the business develops tailored rosin formulations designed to meet the individual playing preferences of string musicians.
Its products have attracted an international customer base, with the business working directly with musicians, instrument makers and distributors around the world.
The company’s success illustrates how a highly specialised regional business can build a global reputation through craftsmanship, product development and an understanding of its customers.
Meanwhile, Unanderra-based Poseidon Animal Health won the First Nations Exporter Award, recognising its success in taking Australian-developed animal health products to international markets.
Founded by Linda Goldspink-Lord and Peter Lord, the business develops science-backed nutritional supplements focused on digestive health and wellbeing in horses and dogs.
What began with the founders seeking solutions for their own animals has grown into an international business, with products reaching customers in Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
Poseidon’s export award follows a strong showing at the 2026 Illawarra Business Awards in September, where it was named Business of the Year and won awards for international business and medium business excellence.
Also representing the Illawarra, Albion Park-based HEGI claimed the Emerging Exporter Award for its success taking Australian-designed and manufactured furniture into international markets.
The women-led business creates made-to-order, collectible furniture in limited editions, combining contemporary design, craftsmanship and storytelling.
In less than two years, HEGI has established export markets in Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Switzerland and France.
Its success demonstrates how regional creative industries and specialist manufacturers are building international demand for premium Australian products, while creating opportunities for skilled employment and local economic growth.
Together, Leatherwood, Poseidon and HEGI demonstrate that regional export success is not confined to traditional industries or large manufacturers. Smaller businesses with distinctive products and specialist expertise are also finding opportunities to compete internationally.
Image: RDA Sydney Chair Anna Guillan and Bioscout CEO Lewis Collins.
RDA Sydney Chair presents sustainability award
RDA Sydney Chair Anna Guillan was also among the presenters at the awards ceremony, presenting the Sustainability and Green Economy Award to Sydney-based agricultural technology company BioScout.
BioScout has developed AI-powered technology that monitors airborne fungal spores in agricultural environments, helping growers identify emerging disease threats and make more informed decisions about crop protection.
By providing near real-time information about disease pressure, the technology helps farmers target fungicide applications more precisely, with the potential to reduce unnecessary chemical use and associated costs.
The company’s international success highlights the opportunities for collaboration between metropolitan technology businesses and regional agricultural industries, bringing innovation developed in Sydney to farms and growers across Australia and overseas.
Export success amid shifting global trade conditions
The regional wins come against a backdrop of uncertainty in international trade, with changing trading relationships and market conditions increasing the pressure on exporters to adapt.
Addressing the 78 finalists at the awards ceremony, NSW Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong acknowledged the personal and financial risks taken by businesses pursuing international markets.
He said exporters often spent years building their businesses and developing products before achieving commercial success, while creating employment opportunities and contributing to the state’s economy.
The Minister also warned that established international trading arrangements had been disrupted, making innovation and adaptability increasingly important.
“What were once really stable trading rules” had been “totally upended”, he told the gathering.
“We need to be agile and to adapt to the circumstance that are actually before us.”
He encouraged NSW businesses to continue looking beyond domestic markets, arguing that changing global conditions also presented opportunities to strengthen existing trading relationships and develop new ones.
Minister Chanthivong pointed to the NSW Government’s renewed export support programs for 2026–27, aimed at helping exporters withstand market shocks and diversify their international customer base.
The success of this year’s regional winners illustrates how businesses across NSW are already pursuing international opportunities, investing in specialised products, technology and market development to build their presence overseas.
Image: Chair, Export Council of Australia Dianne Tipping and The Hon. Anoulack Chanthivong MP.
Regional innovation driving economic growth
The awards highlight the breadth of export capability across regional NSW, from established agricultural industries to advanced manufacturing, emerging technologies, creative industries and specialist consumer products.
For regional economies, growing international businesses can generate opportunities beyond the exporters themselves, supporting local supply chains, skilled employment, investment and the development of specialist industry capabilities.
The six award winners also challenge the idea that internationally competitive innovation must be concentrated in capital cities.
Their products and technologies are being developed in regional communities, drawing on local expertise and industry strengths to reach customers across multiple continents.
Dianne Tipping, Chair of the Export Council of Australia, said the achievements of the regional exporters reflected the contribution businesses across diverse industries were making to their communities.
“From agriculture and manufacturing to health and technology, these businesses are helping to build stronger regional economies by creating skilled jobs, supporting local supply chains and encouraging investment in their communities. Their success is a reminder of the significant role regional businesses play in driving economic prosperity and creating opportunities for future generations.”
Now in its 64th year, the NSW Export Awards recognise businesses succeeding in international markets. Winners of the national award categories will progress to the Australian Export Awards in Canberra on 18 November 2026.
Further information: 2026 NSW Export Awards winners | NSW Government export support
