**UNDER STRICT EMBARGO UNTIL 7 pm - DO NOT CONTACT WINNERS PRIOR TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT**
Congratulations to Hellyers Road Distillery which has been named the 2017 Tasmanian Exporter of the Year in Hobart tonight.
The Hodgman Liberal Government is proud to support this annual event, which is the State’s highest recognition of excellence for our local exporters.
Tasmanian businesses are well recognised for their ability to continually innovate, adapt and meet changing global markets, and to take the best of what we have to offer to the world.
The Government is working hard to continue to grow our global network of friends and markets, as two international trade missions in the past 12 months to August 2017 are already showing positive results with Tasmania’s international merchandise exports now valued at $2.91 billion, up 4.3 per cent on the previous period.
Hellyers Road Distillery is the southern hemisphere's largest single malt whisky distillery and is currently the highest-selling Australian crafted whisky in the world.
In the past six years the Burnie based business has established a growing distribution footprint in Europe, Japan, Argentina, China and Vanuatu.
The Tasmanian Export Awards provide recognition for the success achieved by Tasmanian exporters, raise awareness of the vital contribution of exports to the State’s economy and provide a catalyst for companies to reach even higher levels of excellence.
All winners of the Tasmanian Export Awards now progress to the 2017 Australian Export Awards presentation in Canberra, on December 5, 2017.
The full list of 2017 Tasmanian Export Award Winners:
Overall Exporter of the Year selected from the category winners
Winner: Hellyers Road Distillery
DFAT Agribusiness Award
Recognising outstanding international success in the field of agricultural products, services or technology, including processed foods and beverages, and the forestry, fisheries and fibres industries.
Winner: McKay Timber
Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Small Business Award
Recognising outstanding international success by any business with total annual sales not exceeding $5 million.
Winner: Hellyers Road Distillery
AusIndustry Business Services Award
Recognising outstanding international success in professional business services including legal, accounting, administration and support services, business management, marketing services, franchising and licensing, engineering, financial and insurance, market research and translation services.
Winner: ISW
Austrade Digital Technologies Award
Recognising outstanding international success in the field of information and communication products, technology or services that are connected with storage, retrieval, manipulation, transmission or receipt of digital data including software and games.
Winner: Echoview Software
TasPorts Regional Exporter Award
Recognising outstanding international success by a business whose head office is based in a non-metropolitan location.
Winner: Premium Fresh Tasmania
Austrade Education and Training Award
Recognising outstanding innovation and success in the field of education and training services, expertise and curriculum including vocational training.
Winner: Australian Honey Products