Congratulations to Bendigo Regional Manufacturing Group member Bendigo Pottery which scooped two prestigious awards at the Be.Bendigo and Bendigo Bank Business Excellence Awards.
Bendigo Pottery was named the 2022 winner of the Bendigo Bank Business of the Year Award at a gala awards ceremony at the All Seasons on Friday evening August 19.
The Business of the Year award considers all business award categories and is awarded to a business that is considered an ‘all-rounder’ with superior performance and business excellence in all aspects.
Bendigo Pottery also won the Manufacturing and Innovation Award which recognises manufacturers that display innovation and best practice in the creation of a product. Presented by Thales Australia, the award acknowledges continuous improvement, best practices, creativity and innovation in the Greater Bendigo manufacturing industry.
Bendigo Pottery is Australia’s oldest working pottery and began life in 1858 when it played a role in Bendigo’s gold rush history. Owners Rod and Sally Thompson have been running Bendigo Pottery since 1999 and have grown and diversified all aspects of the business.
Mrs Thomson said both awards were very special, but they are delighted Bendigo Pottery’s achievements in manufacturing received top honours.
“Many people know Bendigo Pottery as a popular tourist attraction, but manufacturing is our core business and we have a fantastic and dedicated team who create our wonderful pottery collections from dinnerware, cookware to tableware, lighting and recently wall tiles for the new Bendigo Law Courts”.
“We are a family with loyal staff who are always willing to try out new ideas, so our workplace continues to be inspiring and innovative.
“As a company, we adapted well during the pandemic and responded to the restrictions and lockdowns, making packaged clay for those in lockdown, particularly in Melbourne who wanted to play with clay”.
“Our unique pottery is known worldwide and can be seen in many top restaurants in Australia”.
“It’s fantastic to be awarded Business of the Year in our home town against contenders in such strong categories. We are absolutely thrilled.”
Be.Bendigo CEO Rob Herbert said of the win: “To see Bendigo Pottery that was established in 1858, win the business of the year is truly an amazing story. It just goes to show that with some ingenuity, businesses can continue to thrive as consumer habits change”.
Bendigo Regional Manufacturing Group Chair Mark Brennan said Bendigo Pottery was a great example of excellence in manufacturing.
“The BRMG is delighted that Bendigo Pottery has scooped top honours in the Be.Bendigo and Bendigo Bank Business Excellence Awards,”
“To have such a strong field of finalist’s in Mculloch’s Engineering and Australian Turntables who are delivering incredible results is a credit to the strength of Manufacturing in the region” Mr Brennan said.
“Manufacturing contributes the regions highest economic output at 17.9% something we should be very proud of”.
“These awards acknowledge the incredible work carried out by Rod and Sally Thompson and their dedicated team, all of whom have shown resilience and agility during the global pandemic to produce world-class products that showcase Bendigo as a centre for innovation and manufacturing.”
Picture: Bendigo Pottery’s Rohan Dawkins, Rod & Sally Thomson with Mark Brennan of Thales Group. (Chair BRMG)