The best electrical and communications contractors in Australia were recognised tonight (Thursday) at the annual national electrical industry Excellence Awards hosted by the nation’s peak industry body the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA).

Nine companies across ten categories were presented with their national awards in front of over 300 industry representatives including contractors, educators and government representatives at the premier showcase event for the electrical and communications industry at the Sofitel Brisbane Hotel. The winning companies had already picked up the top awards in their state and territory awards.

NECA’s Chief Executive Officer James Tinslay said the winning companies were chosen because of their commitment to excellence, significant engineering achievements and importantly finishing the complex jobs on time.

“The electrical and communications contracting firms that have won an award are simply outstanding for what they have achieved during each project,” said Mr Tinslay.

“It’s very encouraging to see the level of sophistication in the electrotechnology industry at the moment and the quality of work in projects ranging from a major desalination plant through to a totally automated home is remarkable.

“Stowe Australia deserves special congratulations for winning two of this year’s top awards in the small and large commercial project categories.”

The winning companies and their projects are:

Category – Domestic Residence
A single residence project in the domestic sector where the applicant’s contract value is less than $1 million.
Winner: Automated Innovation, NSW
Project: The Royal Apartments, Newcastle
Why: This outstanding project has features well in excess of those normally applied to a domestic home. The result is a totally automated home from the finger print entry to five high definition audio visual zones including waterproof TVs and full iPad control.
Automated Innovations Director Nathan Gill said, “To be recognised as the winner for this category shows the fantastic work Automated Innovation has achieved this year and continues to deliver to our clients.”

Category – Small Contracting Business
A small contractor, employing less than 10 technical employees, demonstrating a wide range of skills on a particular project.
Winner: Rakis Electrics, NSW
Project: The Fanale Residence
Why: This three level home incorporates the architect’s electrical design. As a result the home is completely automated to include the C-Bus network controlled via touch screens iPhones and iPads. Switch automation software provides greater flexibility to manage security, AV, air conditioning, pool equipment, intercoms and CCTV.
Rakis Electrics Proprietor George Tsintarakis said, “When you embark on a challenging project, you certainly don’t think about awards. But when the outcome is a successful project, where there has been great collaboration with the owner, architects and builder, despite all the
hardships, major delays and constant changes, it’s a great honour for that hard work to be recognised by your peers.”

Category – Energy Efficiency and Environment
A project where the design, product selection, lighting, processes or technologies have created a sustainable energy efficient installation and/or made a significant contribution to a site’s natural environment
Winner: Shepherd Electrical, ACT
Project: Compass House
Why: This project by Shepherd Electrical is at the forefront of energy efficiency. Aspects include a 30KW PV system, a heat pump system that utilises waste heat for domestic hot water production, 20,000 litres of rainwater storage for toilets and garden use and specially installed
photo-voltaic sunshades.
A company spokesperson for Shepherd Electrical said, “This award is recognition that we are a leader in the electrical industry in Canberra by consistently producing quality work and taking on new and exciting challenges in the building industry.”

Work Health and Safety
A business or project that has demonstrated commitment to achieving an optimal health andsafety environment.
Winner: Downer Infrastructure West, WA
Project: WHS System
Why: The company’s commitment to Zero Harm has seen it deliver numerous simultaneous projects across WA while maintaining safe environments for all employees. Commitment, attention to detail, workforce engagement, excellent project management and team work have
all contributed to Downer’s Electrical and Instrumentation Major Project’s business completing challenging projects safely and achieving an outstanding Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate of 1.02.
Downer’s Electrical and Instrumentation Major Project’s Manager Geoff Baudains said, “Recognition by NECA of Downer’s commitment to Zero Harm is a glowing endorsement for our
dedicated group of project managers and site teams. In what has been an outstanding year for us in health and safety performance, our teams have constantly raised the bar with regards to Zero Harm expectations.”

Category – Industrial Project – Small
An industrial project which may include, but is not limited to, undertakings of a civil, mining, high voltage, manufacturing or process nature where the contract value is less than $2 million.
Winner: ECM, WA
Project: AMMTEC and ANSTO Pilot Plant Projects
Why: This highly specialised project, which incorporated cutting edge technology and processes, included the electrical, instrumental, mechanical and piping work on pilot plants designed to process ores containing rare earths at AMMTEC in Balcatta, WA and at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation’s Luca Heights facility in Sydney.

ECM’s CEO & MD Simon Higgins said, “ECM was faced with the challenges of working within confined spaces, working at heights, in select hazardous areas and within an operational nuclear facility. The end result saw the successful completion and operation of large scale
demonstrated pilot plants with Zero Harm, nil Lost Time Injuries and nil environmental incidents.”

Category – Industrial Project – Large
An industrial project which may include, but is not limited to, undertakings of a civil, mining, high voltage, manufacturing or process nature where the contract value is greater than $2 million.
Winner: O’Donnell Griffin, SA
Project: Adelaide Desalination Plant
Why: This is an enormous 100 gigalitres of water per annum plant, and the sheer size and complexity of the installation demanded ‘outside the square’ solutions to met the project requirements. The challenging scope included over 20,000m of high voltage cable with the longest run at 800m, 300,000m of low voltage cables and 200 electrical panels, over 500 HV terminations (with zero failures), thousands of metres of cable management system, and installations and termination of over 3,500 instrumentation cables.
O’Donnell Griffin Regional Manager SA/NT/WA Richard Lane said, “To be recognised as a winner of the prestigious NECA National Excellence Awards is an incredible honour and reflects the fact that O’Donnell Griffin has indeed achieved the high standard of workmanship and
exceptional result for which we strive. This award demonstrates our commitment to excel in all that we do and is a well-deserved accolade to our skilled workforce.

Category – Voice/Data Project
A voice/data communications project of any contract value.
Winner: Fibre Optics Design and Construct, NSW
Project: Integra Mine Communications Network Upgrade
Why: Fibre Optics Design and Construct was awarded the contract to upgrade the fibre optic cabling network between Integra Mine’s open cut and underground mine sites. The project included a diverse range of installation methods, innovative products and applications of fibre
optics technology giving the client increased efficiency and greatly reducing telecommunications costs.
Fibre Optics Design and Construct’s General Manager Michael McKeogh said, “Winning this award is a great honour and highlights the dedication of our team in coming up with highly innovative applications of fibre optics technology in a range of environments including mines.
This was a complex project delivered to a very tight deadline.”

Category – Commercial – Small Project
A commercial project where the applicant’s contract value is less than $500,000.
Winner: Stowe Australia, ACT
Project: Jones Lang LaSalle
Why: The Jones Lang LaSalle project consisted of an electrical installation fit-out of a base building floor in an existing building. Stowe Australia’s scope included all power and lighting as well as data communications network. The project was successfully delivered in a challenging four week deadline with two drawings and no specifications.
Construction Manager Ben Tidboald from Stowe Australia said, “Winning this award reflects the outstanding work performed by Stowe Australia ACT. It also demonstrates the quality and customer relations we as a company implement on each project, this ensures Stowe Australia is a leader in the field and will continue to grow well into the future.”

Category – Commercial – Medium Project
A commercial project where the applicant’s contract value is more than $500,000 and less than $2 million
Winner: Tyrone Electrical Services, SA
Project: Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer
Why: Tyrone Electrical Services was contracted for the supply and installation of all electrical connections and power distribution. The comprehensive scope included body and cardiac protection services, Ausco nurse call system, back-up standby generator for essential
services, lightning protection, access and security control systems. The scope also required significant illumination and ups services for the centre’s unique, weather resistant Helipad.

Tyrone Electrical Services Managing Director Chris Carroll said, “Winning means that the Australian dream can be achieved. A poor Irish immigrant can come to Australia from war-torn Northern Ireland and establish a major business and share the employment opportunities with
fellow Australians and others who want to have a fulfilling life for their families.”

Category – Commercial – Large Project
A commercial project where the applicant’s contract value is greater than $2 million.
Winner: Stowe Australia, NSW
Project: Data Facility Remediation Project
Why: The Data Facility is a 30 year old 11,000 sqm purpose built facility for a major banking client. The facility needed major upgrading of the electrical infrastructure to improve the resiliency and efficiency of the critical facilities infrastructure. The key objective being to double
the capacity of the critical facilities (power and cooling) to support 3,000 kW of IT load and establish four additional new medium to high density computer rooms.
Stowe Australia’s Business Development Manager Matt Parker said, “The greatest achievement for the team was to provide a complete infrastructure upgrade delivered with minimal disruption and impact to the client. The integrity of the fully operational Data Centre was maintained throughout the construction phase.”