Advanced Aquarium Technologies wins big at Sunshine Coast Business Awards
When a Sunshine Coast man won a radio competition for a free scuba diving course as a teenager, no one could have predicted it would spark the beginning of a global business success story.
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Advanced Aquarium Technologies, a global leader in aquarium design, manufacturing, and operations, has been named Business of the Year at the Sunshine Coast Business Awards for the second time.
The company also claimed awards for Best Large Building and Construction Business and Best Export Business, completing a remarkable clean sweep which AAT founder and chief executive John Langmead said was “completely thrilling”.
“Even just being selected as one of the 130 finalists in this event is reason to celebrate,” he said.
“To win the overall business of the year as well is just fantastic and a testament to the talent and dedication of our entire global team.”
The journey of AAT began with Mr Langmead’s love for the ocean, a passion sparked during his childhood on the Sunshine Coast.
A pivotal moment came when he won a scuba diving course as a teenager from a radio station giveaway competition, igniting his fascination with marine life.
In 1985, Mr Langmead began freelance diving, capturing marine species off Australia’s Sunshine Coast, initially for export and then, in 1989, for a new aquarium called Underwater World Mooloolaba (now SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast).
After gaining extensive experience at UnderWater World, Mr Langmead advanced to managing large-scale aquarium construction projects in China before establishing AAT in 2003.
“The growth opportunities were clear to me. Emerging economies would want to build new public aquariums, older aquariums in developed markets would one day need to be renovated and refurbished, so I decided to develop our own products and solutions,” Mr Langmead said.
The company’s first major project involved installing a water treatment system (life support system) for Shark Bay at Sea World on the Gold Coast.
“We’re proud that Shark Bay continues to leverage much of the original equipment installed over 20 years ago,” Mr Langmead said.
Today, AAT operates on a global scale, with a manufacturing plant in China, a drafting team in the Philippines, and offices in Texas, the USA and other international locations.
The company is renowned for its innovative aquarium solutions including massive acrylic windows, life support systems and hyper-realistic exhibit theming.
AAT’s portfolio includes some of the world’s most well-known aquariums, such as Denmark’s National Aquarium and Oman Aquarium in Muscat.
Recently, the company supplied 520 tonnes of acrylic structures for Vietnam’s Sea Shell Aquarium, including a record-breaking window.
AAT chief operating officer Tim Eldridge said the biggest window at the Sea Shell Aquarium was nine metres tall, 26 metres wide and 790mm thick.
“They’re more like giant transparent retaining walls than windows – this one holds back over 16 million litres of water,” Mr Eldridge said.
He also highlighted the scale of the company’s “enormous” production facility in China, which boasts about 19,000sq m of covered space and spans a total land area of 30,000sq m.
“For perspective, the pitch at Suncorp Stadium is just over 11,000sq m,” Mr Eldridge said.
Looking ahead, AAT is focused on expanding its presence in North America, developing innovative solutions for ageing aquarium infrastructure and continuing its work on high-profile projects.
“We’re also seeing a rise in demand for aquarium operation audit and inspection services, helping facilities plan their maintenance and capital expenditure programs,” Mr Eldridge said.
He highlighted the importance of the Sunshine Coast Business Awards for the local community and the businesses within it.
“Building and growing successful businesses, be they local, national, or global, is never easy. A thriving regional business ecosystem goes hand-in-hand with job creation and increased access to contemporary career opportunities for local workers,” Mr Eldridge said.
“The Sunshine Coast Business Awards has become the single most important entry on the business calendar to recognise successful local businesses, celebrate their employees, and recognise all of their hard work. As they succeed, so does the region’s entire economy.”
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